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Nominations open through Jan. 31 for FastCasual Top 100 Movers & Shakers

The deadline to nominate brands is Jan. 31.

Kelly McWilliams of Taylor who sponsored the gala; Jim Bitticks, EVP of operations and training at Blaze Pizza; Juan Lopez, director of training at Blaze Pizza and Cherryh Cansler, director of editorial of Networld Media Group, pose at the gala.

January 4, 2018

FastCasual is taking nominations for its 2018  list of Top 100 Movers & Shakers, which honors the brands and executives leading the fast casual restaurant industry, said Cherryh Cansler, director of editorial for Networld Media Group, the parent company of FastCasual.

"Our annual list recognizes brands with major growth and sales accomplishments but also honors trendsetters and brands that incorporate technology to enhance the customer experience," Cansler said.

How it works

Brands will nominate themselves by answering a few questions about their businesses in order to help judges narrow down the list. A second set of questions will ask people to nominate the executives they believe best represent the industry. People may nominate themselves or their colleagues, Cansler said.

"The more information the judges have, the better, so I recommend that brands answer the questions thoroughly," Cansler said.

Out of the nominations, judges will choose 75 brands and 25 industry executives to round out the Top 100.

"Last year, we had over 800 entries to review, and this year, with a variety of new brands succeeding, I expect the competition to be just as fierce," Cansler said.

As in past years, the results will be revealed at an annual awards gala in May in Chicago during the NRA show.

Click hereto nominate your brand. Entries will be accepted until midnight Eastern time on Wednesday, Jan 31. There is no fee to enter. 

Last year's winner was Blaze Pizza.