Fast Casual Top 100

10 reasons Fast Casual's Top 100 will be 'the virtual event of the year'

The 2020 Fast Casual Top 100 winners will be revealed during a live, virtual gala May 15.

May 4, 2020 by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Although not being able to meet up with friends for a night of celebrating may seem low on the list of terrible things about the pandemic, a night out is often a cure for stress, anxiety and boredom. And those are three feelings that most of us are experiencing daily as we try to stay healthy while working, paying bills, homeschooling children and collecting the essential supplies needed to care for our families.

Breaking up the monotony of the shelter-in-place routine is a necessity, which is why we are seeing drive-by birthday celebrations, virtual happy hours and ridiculous TikToks. (I won't lie; I'm addicted to all three.) FastCasual is also hoping to add a burst of excitement with our annual 2020 The Fast Casual Top 100 Movers & Shakers gala.

We thought about canceling the 7-year event that recognizes the year's most-innovative brands but didn't think the pandemic should keep us from celebrating the fast casual industry's accomplishments. In fact, we think that now more than ever is a time for us to come together in solidarity and support. The show will go on — virtually — at 3 p.m. EST, May 15.

Usually, we host the gala at the Sofitel Hotel ballroom in Chicago on the Monday of the National Restaurant Association Show, which means we have only enough room for about 200 guests — a couple of execs from each winning brand. Since this year's event is virtual, however, we are inviting the entire restaurant industry — not only the brands on the list — to witness the big reveal via Zoom.

We know this will be the virtual event of the year, and here's why:

We already have nearly 400 people registered for the gala. (Don't miss out.)
Everyone is invited to dress up. (There's a best-dressed selfie contest via Twitter. Who will win?)
Toasts will be made, so be sure to watch from home with your favorite beverage. (Champagne, anyone?)
We are hosting virtual games, so you can play along. (Registered attendees will receive directions soon, but they include industry buzzwords and winner predictions.
Geoff Alexander, president of Wow Bao, last year's winner, will introduce this year's winner.
You'll get to see and hear from the No.1 brand of 2020.
One brand will receive the second annual Food Safety award.
We will reveal a new women's leadership initiative.
You could host a virtual watch party with your close friends and family (as long as they're in your quarantine circle.)
It's been way too long time since you've not had to drink alone on a Friday.

So dig out that fabulous suit, tux, dress and heels from the back of your closet, and let's celebrate in style. Although we can't be together physically, we can certainly be together in spirit. See you "virtually" soon.

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About Cherryh Cansler

Cherryh Cansler is VP of Events for Networld Media Group and publisher of FastCasual.com. She has been covering the restaurant industry since 2012. Her byline has appeared in Forbes, The Kansas City Star and American Fitness magazine, among many others.

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