Women in Restaurant Leadership (WiRL)

#FlashbackFriday?? The conversations at the WiRL Together Summit were too good to keep to ourselves, so we’re sharing them here—one quote at a time. ?? "In your roles today, even if you aren't wearing the CEO hat, think about doing the things that you would do if you were stepping in as a new CEO. Create a 100-day plan, get alignment with your leadership, show that you can think like one," Sheri Miksa says. "Learn how to write a really great strategic plan and learn how to translate it ... No matter what position you're in today, speak the language of the business and do things within your role that will evidence your ability to step up when the opportunity is given." ?? The Path to CEO w/ Sheri Miksa, Jennifer Dodd, Anita Adams, Suzie Tsai, Rhonda Levene, and Nichole Robillard Did you attend this session? What were your main takeaways? ??

“I think the first step is to find a mentor—a female executive in the industry—and build a real connection with them. It’s one thing to know a lot of people, but it’s another to have someone who genuinely listens, spends time with you, and offers detailed advice on your next steps. A great mentor is someone who will take the time to meet for coffee or lunch, follow your career, and champion your growth. At the same time, I’d also encourage mentoring someone else. No matter what level you’re at, there’s always someone who can benefit from your guidance. By lifting others up, we help build the pipeline of future women leaders. If we want to see more women in executive roles, we need to create that strong bench of talent to rise through the ranks.” A stellar piece of advice from Jenn Johnston, CMO of FAT Brands Inc. Stay tuned for her full-length WiRL exclusive feature, hitting your line soon! ??????? #WiRLPower

In 2024, the Whataburger She-Suite kicked off our inaugural WiRL Together Summit. In 2025, Debbie Stroud will take the keynote stage in Atlanta—this time as Whataburger’s President & CEO. ?? But we had to ask: What was the team’s reaction to her meteoric rise from COO to CEO? "Janelle Sykes [CFO], Peggy Rubenzer [chief people officer], Elena Kraus [chief legal officer] are all tremendous thought partners. What I say is it does change the dynamic of what you think about when you’re making decisions," she says. "An example is something Donna J. Tuttle [VP of marketing and communication] and I were just talking about the other day, with the lobby décor, and how might we make the flow of the front counter for the lobby ambiance, if you will. What might be possible there as that evolves?" She also highlighted the power of community and shared experiences—something WiRL knows a thing or two about. ???? We call that #WiRLPower. Read the full Q&A here: https://lnkd.in/e3r6i3PM Register now for the QSR Evolution Conference: https://lnkd.in/emGFEXgG

Your weekly WiRL reminder! ?? Want a front-row seat to all things WiRL? Make sure you’re signed up for WiRL Wednesdays—your go-to source for free virtual events, expert webinars, exclusive conference access, speaker highlights, and so much more. It’s like a secret handshake, but better. ?? Don’t miss out—sign up now and get WiRL delivered straight to your inbox every Wednesday! ?? https://lnkd.in/eSiuq6VJ

ICYMI: We are proud to welcome Jennifer Pecoraro-Striepling to our lineup of WiRL State of the Union panelists at QSR Evolution Conference + FSR NextGen Summit in Atlanta this September 2-4! ? She is the current Chief Development Officer @ Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux, with a robust track record spanning companies like Papa Johns, Bloomin' Brands, Inc., and Darden. The FSR WiRL State of the Union panel also features: Roberta Frierson, Toni Ronayne, Jennifer Loper, Kristen Hohl, Elizabeth Brasch, and Reem Fahoum #WiRLPower ?? Explore the agenda: https://lnkd.in/e9nuiAq4 Grab tickets (and be sure to register for the exclusive WiRL networking reception): https://lnkd.in/eEzzbzEG

NEW #WiRLPod EPISODE ALERT ?? ?? Hello, Season 2! The restaurant industry is full of incredible career opportunities—if you know where to look. In this episode, Satyne Doner sits down with Sarah Diehl, founder of Empowered Hospitality and passionate HR leader. She joins the pod to break down the evolving talent landscape in hospitality. ?? From shifting employee expectations to the power of employer branding, Sarah shares expert insights on how restaurant professionals can build long-term, fulfilling careers beyond the front line. Whether you're a manager looking to grow, an operator aiming to retain top talent, or someone eager to transition into a corporate role, this conversation is jam-packed with practical advice, career strategies, and HR wisdom that every hospitality professional needs to hear. Tune in to discover how to turn a restaurant job into a lasting career! #WiRLPower ? LISTEN NOW: https://lnkd.in/eVvgDhtB

BREAKING NEWS: A mystery is afoot at WiRL! ????♀? ?The scene: QSR Evolution Conference ?The suspects: Dustin Portillo ?? , Satyne Doner, and more to be revealed… ?The victim: Ghost host Danny Klein ?The motive: A night of intrigue, networking, and empowerment—plus cocktails, of course! Our WiRL Barbie Party was a smashing success, but this time, we’re taking things to the next level with something even cooler, more immersive, and guaranteed to keep you on your toes. Special thanks to our partners in crime Olo, Hayley Vong, Alayna Sullivan, and Brianna Donahue ?? Join us in Atlanta September 2-4 for The WiRL Whodunnit Party, where we’ll unravel a thrilling murder mystery while making connections that could be killer for your career. Expect plot twists, powerful conversations, and a few surprises along the way. Think you have what it takes to crack the case? Grab your tickets before they vanish, the WiRL networking reception has sold out two years in a row! Let’s make it a third. ??? ?? https://lnkd.in/e4yk2gsJ

dawn petite’s career started sweet as an operations manager at Friendly's Restaurants in 1981. Today, she is the president of BRIX Holdings, which operates more than 110 company-owned and franchised full-service Friendly’s restaurants. She has also served as vice president of operations and chief operating officer, with 40 years of experience with the brand. ? Along her career journey, she’s questioned her path—especially after becoming a mother—but her desire to succeed, paired with a tactical approach to leadership and a strong sense of integrity, has allowed her to raise a family while contributing to countless other family memories through Friendly’s—and, most importantly, ice cream. ?? In this exclusive Q&A for?FSR?and WiRL, Petite shares her vision for the future of restaurants, her favorite Friendly’s menu item, advice for women in hospitality, and the leadership lessons that have carried her every step of the way. #WiRLPower "Enjoy today—you’re right where you should be," she told us. READ HERE: https://lnkd.in/ekGm7gkk

Let's get our week started on a high note, shall we? CONGRATULATIONS to Jane McPherson, who was just appointed SVP of Marketing @ Penn Station East Coast Subs ? She has three decades of marketing experience, particularly in franchising and the sandwich category, following a successful tenure at Capriotti's Sandwich Shop where she helped grow the brand's unit count by 40 percent. #WiRLPower ?? “I’m thrilled to join Penn Station at such a pivotal moment,” said McPherson. “This is an incredibly stable and successful brand that has grown for 40 years due to exceptional leadership, franchise partners, and product quality. I look forward to implementing purposeful, data-driven marketing strategies that amplify our strengths and help us grow while continuing to provide outstanding support to franchise owners.” Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eiA-CA33

In her signature Q&A series, Tenyse Williams sat down with Sabina Jules, chef and owner of Motherland Kitchen just outside of Washington, D.C. ? ?????? Her diverse menu pulls from her African-Caribbean heritage, featuring flavors, spices, seasonings, and recipes from sub-Saharan Africa. It reaches most dietary preferences—from traditional protein-based meals to vegan, vegetarian, flexitarian, salt-free and oil-free options. She shares her culinary know-how here ?? https://lnkd.in/egxnsxuB