CREATE, a year-long series of digital and in-person experiences from Nation’s Restaurant News, kicks off this month with a robust on-demand content hub as well as interactive sessions with executives from Chipotle Mexican Grill, Blaze Pizza, Buffalo Wild Wings and Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen.
A first-of-its-kind hybrid event series, CREATE will bring together forward-thinking restaurant leaders to learn, discover products and solutions, and connect with peers. The platform will include digital keynotes from industry thought leaders; interactive Q&A sessions on menu, operations and workforce strategy; on-demand product demos; and exclusive video conversations with the best minds in the industry. CREATE will culminate with a festival-style in-person event in Denver Oct. 4-6.
CREATE kicks off March 16 with an opening keynote from Blaze Pizza CEO Mandy Shaw on how the fast-casual pizza brand navigated the challenges of the past year with operations updates and a relentless focus on building a culture of authenticity and integrity.
Later that day, culinary strategists from three top restaurant brands will discuss how the R&D process has been transformed and how they’re evolving menus for the future. The Q&A-style session will feature Chipotle’s vice president of culinary Nevielle Panthaky; Buffalo Wild Wings’ vice president, brand menu and culinary, Jamie Carawan; and Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen’s vice president of culinary innovation, Amy Alarcon.
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen’s vice president of culinary innovation, Amy Alarcon; Buffalo Wild Wings’ vice president, brand menu and culinary, Jamie Carawan; and Chipotle’s vice president of culinary Nevielle Panthaky, . 
The list of confirmed speakers for CREATE events this year also includes:
- David Deno, CEO, Bloomin’ Brands
- Tracy Skeans, COO, Yum Brands Inc.
- Reggie Miller, vice president and global diversity, equity and inclusion officer, McDonald’s Corp.
- Frances Allen, CEO, Checkers & Rally’s
- Scott Deviney, CEO, Chicken Salad Chick
- Christine Barone, CEO, True Food Kitchen
- Scott Taylor, president, Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux.
New speakers will be added throughout the year.
CREATE participants will also gain exclusive access to an NRN video series featuring candid conversations with leading restaurant CEOs, including Paul Brown of Inspire Brands, Niren Chaudhary of Panera, Wyman Roberts of Brinker International, Lisa Ingram of White Castle and Scott Svenson of MOD Pizza.
David Deno, CEO, Bloomin’ Brands; Frances Allen, CEO, Checkers & Rally’s; and Reggie Miller, vice president and global diversity, equity and inclusion officer, McDonald’s Corp.
Registration for CREATE digital and in-person experiences is now open. Visit the CREATE event and content hub to sign up for sessions and explore on-demand digital content.