DEMOCRATIZED CONSUMERISM: CONSUMER CHOICE AND DECISION-MAKING DRIVERS Today, more than any time in our history, it’s critical to understand the forces that create changes in consumer behavior in and outside of the restaurant industry. There are market dynamics and socio-cultural movements that are driving consumer decision-making and the shaping of food trends. And consumers today have more choices, more access, and greater food knowledge than ever before. Steven Goldstein of The Culinary Edge will share his insights on “marketplace change agents,” and their impact on brand and menu innovation. This session will enhance your perspective on restaurant consumers’ needs and the choices they make. Faculty: Steven Goldstein, Partner, The Culinary Edge
THE 2016 OUTLOOK FOR IPOS AND PUBLICLY TRADED RESTAURANTS The past two years have seen several initial public offerings from prominent emerging restaurant concepts. Will the trend continue in 2016? Will valuations remain high? Is it your time to consider preparing for a public offering? Session focuses on the prospective outlook for 2016 along with business and legal considerations when undertaking an initial public offering. Moderator: Andrew Schultheis, Public Securities Partner, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP ✦ Faculty: Andy Barish, Managing Director-Equity Research, Jefferies Group ✦ Murray Huneke, Co-Head of Consumer & Retail Investment Banking, Stifel ✦ Chris Reilly, Co-Founder, KarpReilly, LLC
STOP THE WIRE! HOW TO IDENTIFY GOOD POTENTIAL INVESTORS AND AVOID THE BAD ONES Finding investors for early-stage restaurant concepts is almost always challenging. Even more important than the money, as most will tell you, is that the investor is a good fit for the opportunity. Investors with unreasonable expectations or demands can put tremendous strain on leadership and the business, creating a toxic mess. On the other hand, investors with grounded expectations, and an understanding of the business and market terms can provide tremendous value. Session focuses on how early stage companies can distinguish between those institutional and individual investors that are a good fit and those who are not. Moderator: Cliff DeGroot, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP ✦ Faculty: Robert Cornog, Partner and CFO, Punch Bowl Social ✦ Frank Klein, Founder and CEO, Asian Box Holdings, Inc. ✦ Tony Owen, Founder and Managing Partner, DOM Capital Group ✦ David Dressler, Founder & Co-CEO, Tender Greens
BEER TRENDS THE STATE OF THE DEAL MARKET The past three years have seen significant investment and M&A activity with healthy valuations, especially in leading emerging concepts. With operating costs escalating, brands competing for retail space and market share, and evolving consumer spending and ordering preferences, what will the next three years hold for the market? Moderators: Riley Lagesen, Restaurant Group Chair, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP ✦ Matt Kelly, Managing Director, North Point Advisors ✦ Gary Levy, Partner, CohnReznick ✦ Faculty: Rahul Aggarwal, Managing Director, Brentwood Associates ✦ Josh Goldin, Principal, Alliance Consumer Growth ✦ Jay Takefman, Partner, Quilvest ✦ David Swinghammer, Stripes Group ✦ Richard Leonard, Angelo Gordon
UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES OF MINIMUM-WAGE INCREASES AND STRATEGIES FOR EFFECTIVE HANDLING Efforts to raise the minimum wage are coming from the local, state and federal government levels. This impacts the service industry especially. Anticipating the consequences of a raised minimum wage, including the unintended ones, is key to developing and implementing general and industry-specific strategies to cope. Moderators: Zach Kuperman, Partner, Whorton / Kuperman Insurance ✦ Aaron Colby, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP ✦ Faculty: David Goldstein, Chief Operating Officer, Sharky’s Woodfired Mexican Grill ✦ Steve Price, CFO, Lazy Dog Restaurants ✦ Walter Schild, Owner, Culinary Lab
TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL ENTRY INTO A NEW MARKET The “proof” test for many growth brands is whether it can successfully outside of the “home market.” New market expansion tests management, and the results of such expansion can have a significant result on the future of the concept, including its ability to attract a healthy valuation and strong financial partners. Session focuses on steps growing brands can take to help increase the probabilities of success and traps to avoid.