Restaurant Industry Conference

May 1, 2025 | The Biltmore Los Angeles

Celebrate 25 Years of the Restaurant Industry Conference!

phones taking photos of food above a table

The 25th Annual UCLA Extension Restaurant Industry Conference is a one-day conference which provides a unique, non-competitive forum for restaurant owners and executives. Programming includes the insights of industry experts, with opportunities to learn, network, and be inspired.

This conference is ideal for restaurant owners and operators, service industry professionals, lawyers and real estate developers.

What you can expect:

Attend high-quality keynote presentations and panel discussions to learn the latest trends and practices surrounding restaurant industry issues
Speakers include top industry professionals
Convenient, day-long format which includes continental breakfast, luncheon, and evening reception
Networking opportunities with leading industry professionals

Join Us!

Date
Thursday, May 1, 2025

Time
8:30am-5:30pm PT
Evening reception to follow

Location
The Biltmore Los Angeles
506 South Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, CA, 90071

Attendees
This conference is ideal for restaurant industry operators, owners, investors, supply chain, and professional advisors; labor experts (attorneys, staffing companies, and HR professionals); technology companies (restaurant automation and technology); and real estate (developers, commercial leasing agents)

Fees
Registration: $550

Please note: No on-site registrations will be permitted. You must register and pay prior to attending the conference. The registration closes on April 28, 2025. No refunds after April 24, 2025.

The Restaurant Industry Conference is a “must attend” event, featuring world-class speakers and deep insight on the most significant industry trends and issues. Spanning a single day, it's perfect for busy executives to catch up with peers while learning the latest thinking on critical industry concerns.

Anna M. Graves

Conference Chair; Partner & Co-Leader of the Restaurant, Food & Beverage Group, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP

2025 Award Recipients

Foodmanitarian™ Award

Father Greg Boyle

Fr. Greg Boyle a Jesuit priest, is the founder of Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles, the largest gang-intervention, rehabilitation, and re-entry program in the world. Homeboy Industries employs and trains former gang members in a range of social enterprises, as well as provides critical services to thousands of individuals who walk through its doors every year. He is the author of the 2010 New York Times-bestseller Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion. He was the recipient of 2024 Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Innovation Award Recipient

Joth Ricci

Joth Ricci is an innovative leader with a proven track record of driving growth and creating value across the Consumer Products and Food & Beverage sectors over his career. He most recently served as CEO of Dutch Bros (BROS) where he led the company through a 5 year Strategic Plan and Public Offering in 2021. He has also served as CEO of Adelsheim Vineyard, Stumptown Coffee, and Jones Soda Co. In addition to his 33 years of industry experience, Joth is the author of “The System”, a past Chairman of the Oregon Business Council, served on the State of Oregon’s Racial Justice Council, and co-founded TASTE for Equity. He currently holds the position of Executive Chair at Burgerville, is an executive in residency for the Oregon State University College of Business and serves on multiple boards including Upward Projects, The Oregon Fruit Company, Bamboo Sushi and advocates for Early Childhood Education through his role at the Children's Institute.

Thank You to our Sponsors

Gold

Moss Adams

SILVER

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP

Dine Brands

BRONZE

CohnReznick LLP

Piper Sandler & Co.

Marsh McLennan

MEDIA SPONSOR

Nation's Restaurant News

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Become a Sponsor

To become a sponsor visit our sponsorship page or contact us at restaurantconference@uclaextension.edu

Restaurant Conference Committee

UCLA Extension extends gratitude to the Restaurant Industry Conference Committee.

Our Advisory Board

Anna Graves, Conference Chair; Partner & Co-Leader of the Restaurant, Food & Beverage Industry Group, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP

Daryl Ansel, Director of Hospitality, Presidio of San Francisco

David Birzon, CEO, Snooze, an AM Eatery

Damon Chandik, Co-Head of Consumer Investment Banking, Piper Sandler & Co

David E. Goldstein, Chief Operating Officer, Sharky's Woodfired Mexican Grill

Andrew Hunter, Culinary Research and Development Chef

Justine Hunter, Partner, Restaurants National Practice Leader, Moss Adams

Michael Patrick, Client Executive & Private Equity Practice, Marsh McLennan

Lauralynn Rogers, Executive Director, Internal Audit, Dine Brands Global

Safwan Shah, Founder and CEO, Payactiv