Agenda

Insights that matter. Connections that last. 

With an agenda built by supply chain professionals in the restaurant industry, we're dedicated to delivering content that's both practical and actionable, adding real value to your experience.

Agenda

Wed., Oct. 15

 

11 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Registration desk is open 
 

11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Professional Headshots Available
 

1:30 p.m.

Conference Welcome & Kick Off
 

1:45 p.m.

Supply Chain Leadership: Insights from a Multi-Brand Operator

Speaker: Joel Blanchard, Chief Supply Officer, Inspire Brands

Moderator: Stephen Hawrylik, Vice President, Commodities, Inspire Brands

A candid interview with Joel Blanchard, Chief Supply Officer of Inspire Brands, one of the world’s largest restaurant companies with over 32,000 locations across several iconic brands. This session will explore the strategic leadership and innovative thought processes that drive success on a global scale. Gain insights into how Inspire Brands tackles the complexities of supply chain management to maintain its industry-leading position.

2:35 p.m.

Networking Break
 

2:55 p.m.

Interactive Networking & Problem-Solving Roundtables

Moderators: Michelle Elwonger, Vice President of Supply Chain, Metro Diner and Dan Gould, Director of Procurement and Logistics, Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurants

Three rounds. Three chances to tackle the toughest foodservice supply chain challenges with your peers. In each expert-led discussion, you’ll dig into critical issues, swap ideas, and pressure-test solutions in real time. More than just conversation, these roundtables are designed to sharpen your thinking and send you home with strategies you can act on right away. View the list of topics. 

3:30 p.m.

Interactive Networking & Problem-Solving Roundtables

4:05 p.m.

Interactive Networking & Problem-Solving Roundtables
 

4:40 p.m.

Day Wrap Up
 

6:30 p.m.

Welcome Reception & Dinner
 

Thurs., Oct. 16

 

7:30 a.m.

Breakfast
 

8:30 a.m.

Opening Remarks
 

8:35 a.m.

Freight: From Cost Center to Strategic Lever

Speaker: Dr. Chris Caplice, Senior Research Scientist, MIT and Executive Director for MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics (CTL)

Freight isn’t just trucks and rates — it’s a dynamic market that behaves in ways every supply chain leader needs to understand. From shifting capacity and volatile pricing to the macroeconomic forces driving the industry, this session will demystify freight and explain why treating it as a strategic category matters. MIT researcher and DAT Chief Scientist Dr. Chris Caplice will break down current market fundamentals, share a forward-looking rate and capacity outlook, and highlight what executives should watch heading into 2026. You’ll walk away with sharper insights to guide RFPs, supplier negotiations, and long-term transportation strategy.

9:15 a.m.

Hot Topics & Emerging Issues in Supply Chain

Moderators: Kristi Kingery, Chief Supply Chain Officer, Tropical Smoothie Cafe and Jeff Dorr, Division President – SaaS, Buyers Edge Platform

This session highlights the issues making headlines right now — and their potential impact on foodservice supply chains. From tariffs and shifting commodity prices to new regulations and emerging risks, we’ll examine what’s driving uncertainty as the year closes out. The conversation will focus on how these developments could affect your operations and what you can do to stay prepared in a volatile environment.

9:45 a.m.

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): What Operators Need to Know

Moderator: Jennifer Meek, Vice President of National Accounts – Foodservice, KCooper Brands, Inc.

Speakers: Chloe Kapanen, ESG and Compliance Manager, Washburn Consulting and Dr. Michael Washburn, Principal and Owner, Washburn Consulting, Sustainability & Public Affairs

States across the U.S. are rolling out new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) requirements for packaging, and foodservice operators are squarely in the mix. From compliance obligations and supplier agreements to the impact on waste management, EPR is reshaping how supply chains must operate. In this session, Dr. Michael Washburn and Chloe Kapanen of Washburn Consulting will break down the latest legislation, outline key requirements, and help you prepare for the challenges ahead.

10:25 a.m.

Networking Break
 

10:45 a.m.

Restaurant Industry Review - Presented by Capital One

Speakers: Mike Blommer, Vice President, Food & Beverage, Capital One; Colin Guheen, CFA, Group Co-Lead, Food, Bev, & Ag Research, Capital One; and Paul Westra, CFA, Managing Director, Restaurant Research, Capital One

The restaurant industry is entering one of its most dynamic recovery cycles in decades. Capital One’s restaurant research team shares exclusive insights into consumer demand shifts, supply realignment, and category winners — from QSR resilience to the surge of experiential dining. Learn what the “rising tide” recovery means for supply chains, where risks remain, and how operators can position for growth in 2026 and beyond.

11:35 a.m.

Keynote: 10 Seconds of Insane Courage

Speaker: Garrett Graversen, Author, Co-Founder of ADDO Worldwide, and Traveler to all 197 countries

Supply chain leaders face decisions every day that shape the future of their businesses. After traveling to all 197 countries, Garrett Gravesen believes that progress often comes down to just ten seconds of bold action — the courage to choose a new path, act on an idea, or step into uncertainty. In this keynote, he connects that mindset to leadership in a complex industry, showing how short moments of courage can lead to lasting impact for teams, companies, and the customers we serve.

12:25 p.m.

Closing Remarks
 

12:30 p.m.

Depart
 

Governing Board 

Meet our dynamic governing board, the architects behind the event agenda.

Officer Emeriti