Women in Restaurant Leadership (WiRL)

One week from today we'll be hosting our second #WiRLPower Hour ? Wind down after the busy holiday with Sri Divel, Erin Levzow, and Brandy Blackwell (as well as industry peers!) While our overarching topic is all things #marketing, the beauty of these sessions is that you're free to let the conversations flow ?? ?? Monday, Dec 2 on Zoom (3:30 - 4:30 p.m. EST) RSVP here ?? https://lnkd.in/eeRTKN4R

For starters, we'd love to share a warm thank you to all of our supporters. We couldn't do this without our partners and community! #WiRLPower ?? We have received a lot of messages about how to get involved with our Women in Restaurant Leadership Summit in February if you are not a restaurant operator. The good news is: you can still get involved! Take a look at our digital prospectus (it's pretty cool)! Here's the link, it's full of amazing info: https://lnkd.in/eQTMmxZg If you have any questions, you can reach out to Satyne Doner: [email protected] ? See you in Nash!

So, how does Pinky Cole use radical authenticity to power Slutty Vegan/Bar Vegan's success? #WiRLPower ?? “You’ve got to make people in new spaces fall in love with you. Everybody doesn’t know who you are, so you have to continue to build new relationships in cities where the hospitality culture is different,” she says. “I have a popular brand, but I will continue to show my vulnerabilities. I’ll tell you when it’s hard for me, and I’ll show you that business can be beautiful when you put in the work. Transparency is key.” Read more about her vegan empire (and her advice for fellow women entrepreneurs) here: https://lnkd.in/d4kEh-YV

Shannon Hennessy, CEO of Habit Burger & Grill, will soon take the stage at the?2025 Women in Restaurant Leadership Together Summit?as its keynote speaker (February 19–20 in Nashville), hosted by?QSR?and?FSR. And she’ll have a diverse and eventful journey to share. Hennessy’s career journey was one of the first to be featured on the WiRL platform back in June. In an exclusive interview with?QSR, she shared her lessons on leadership. #WiRLPower ?? Read our top five takeaways here: https://lnkd.in/dZS7K294 Register for the WiRL Together Summit now: https://lnkd.in/egPjDGFU

Calling all of our #marketing professionals ?? Join us on Monday, Dec. 2 from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. EST for another #WiRLPower Hour! These are FREE Zoom events where you can connect with industry experts and like-minded peers in a welcoming, laid-back environment! Hosts: ? Sri Divel, Founder | The Culinary CMO ? Brandy Blackwell, VP of Marketing (and the Queen of Brunch) | Another Broken Egg Cafe ? Erin Levzow | Chief Marketing, Growth, and Commercial Officer // Board Member // Strategic Advisor and Advocate Save your spot NOW — this will be our last session before the holidays! Click here to RSVP + add to your calendar ?? https://lnkd.in/eeRTKN4R

BREAKING NEWS: Shannon Hennessy, CEO of Habit Burger & Grill has been announced as the opening keynote speaker for the 2025 Women in Restaurant Leadership (WiRL) Together Summit! ? ?? Hennessy joined Yum! Brands in 2020 as CFO of KFC’s Global Division, where she played a pivotal role in driving growth and profitability. She later became president of The Habit Burger Grill, focusing on enhancing the business model through margin improvements and digital sales expansion. In 2023, Hennessy stepped into the role of CEO, setting out to break the “craft ceiling” and position The Habit as a global better-burger powerhouse. A trailblazer in talent diversity and development, Hennessy has led initiatives that have reshaped the leadership landscape. In a WiRL digital exclusive interview with QSR magazine earlier this year, she shared her passion for empowering others to trust their instincts and take bold steps in their careers. The Women in Restaurant Leadership (WiRL) Together Summit brings together female leaders from across the industry to inspire connection, foster mentorship, and offer actionable career advice. Join us in Nashville on February 19–20, where Hennessy will take the stage to elevate, educate, and empower women in the restaurant industry. Early bird pricing is ending soon! Register now to secure your spot. #WiRLPower ?? You can sign up direct here: https://lnkd.in/eZFfSrjb And explore the agenda here: https://lnkd.in/gtbrQz_B

Alba Huerta is leading Houston's cocktail movement with her concept, Julep—which just turned 10 years old! ???? “The evolution of cocktail bars over the past decade has been fun to watch, but my intent was always to create something unique to Houston, something distinct from other cities,” Huerta says. “We want to highlight the ingredients and culture of our region in Texas through my lens as a Mexican-American woman, celebrating our drinking culture and customs.” Read more about Alba + Julep here: https://lnkd.in/et2npWPM

LAST CALL ?? Join Emily Lampkin/Women Leaders Series and I for a step-by-step guide to the art of networking TODAY in one hour at 2 p.m. EST! ?? You can attend and ask questions in real-time, or you can get the recording delivered to your email. Just use the link below ?? Register now: https://lnkd.in/dgGhezRb

As a CFO, Caren Prince, CPA doesn't like to "stay in her lane." She's fearlessly bringing a passion for people and data to Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, gearing up for the next chapter of growth. In a digital exclusive for FSR, Callie Evergreen sits down with Prince and explores her extensive career journey, as well as her dedication to mentorship and elevating women's voices. Prince will join Amy Hom, Lauren Fernandez, Toni Ronayne, Carin Stutz, and Ashley Robinson at the Women in Restaurant Leadership Together Summit in Nashville next February on "The Financial Acumen Program" panel. “Women in Restaurant Leadership is a great opportunity for me to push myself out there, and to do that in a way to share my expertise, and make myself go forward in that,” Prince says. Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/daYrppKm Register NOW for WiRL 2025: https://lnkd.in/e8bmDF5J Explore the full agenda: https://lnkd.in/euFbvnh3

Congratulations are in order for Kim DeCarolis, who is embarking on her newest venture with Smalls Sliders for strategy + growth! ?? ?? We're so lucky to have not one, but TWO amazing women from Smalls on our advisory board! Maria Rivera ?? #WiRLPower