Founderology Forum

FastCasual seeking nominations for 2024 Perfect Pitch

Nominations close June 30.

May 20, 2024 by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

At FastCasual, we are passionate about spotlighting up-and-coming brands, which is why we created the Perfect Pitch 10 years ago to allow emerging brands to ask for advice and find investors. We are excited to open nominations for this year's event, featuring five brands pitching their concepts to attendees of the Fast Casual Executive Summit, which will be held Oct. 13-15 in Denver. A panel of judges will choose five brands to compete for bragging rights, a $3,500 cash prize and one year of free service from Ovation, a guest feedback platform (nominate your brand here)

A panel of advisers will quiz each contestant and also offer them advice. For a chance to be one of the five finalists chosen to pitch their concepts, fast casual brands must nominate themselves by June 30 and meet the following three guidelines:

Have at least one store open — but no more than 10.
Must be no less than 6 months old and no more than 5 years old.
Must share revenue and average sales data.

By Aug.21, FastCasual will notify the five finalists, who will receive two free passes to attend this year's summit. Finalists must cover their own costs for travel and accommodations.

"It's important to us as publishers to help the people from the industries we cover to connect with one another," Kathy Doyle, CEO of Networld Media Group, the parent company of FastCasual, said in a statement on the news. "We strongly believe those attending the Perfect Pitch will have the first chance to see and even invest in tomorrow's fast casual leaders."

Nominate your brand here.

Previous winners by year and location include:

2023: Haven Hot Chicken (based in Connecticut).
2022: Flake Pie Co. (based in Utah).
2021: Chick N Max (based in Wichita, Kansas).
2020: Biscuit Belly (based in Louisville, Kentucky).
2019: Royals Hot Chicken (based in Louisville, Kentucky).
2018: Go Poke (based in Seattle, Washington).
2017: Street Shak Carribean Kitchen (based in Toronto, Canada).
2016: Rockfire Grill (based in Los Angeles, California).
2015: Pincho (based in Miami, Florida).

Independent OperatorsBiscuit Belly Ovation Up, Inc.

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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