Speaker Spotlight: Liz Williams, CEO, El Pollo Loco
Liz Williams, CEO of El Pollo Loco, shares a look at her career, her achievements and industry trends ahead of her appearance at the Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit 2026.
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Can Dave’s Hot Chicken leaders conjure magic from Mike's Red Tacos?
by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com
Mike's Red Tacos, a beef birria concept born just four years ago, has deals in place to open more than 200 locations. While the rapid expansion is turning heads, the real story is the firepower behind the scenes. The brand's not-so-secret weapon is the executive powerhouse that led Dave's Hot Chicken to become a billion-dollar brand.
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Building unity through community
by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners
By fostering shared experiences and intentional connections, the restaurant industry serves as a vital "community connector" that accelerates growth for leaders and creates a sense of belonging for all.
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Jeff's Bagel Run: From garage bagels to 30 and growing
by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners
On this episode of the Founderology — Built to Breakthrough podcast, I talk with Jeff Perera, co-Founder of Jeff’s Bagel Run and a member of the inaugural class of Visionary Restaurant Founders recognized at the Founderology Growth Summit.
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