Restaurants: Lessons in Leadership During a Crisis | Part 1

Now more than ever, the restaurant industry is looking for daily insights to combat the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Navigating operational changes, workforce challenges and a changing consumer sentiment is altering the way the industry functions, and the award-winning editorial teams from Nation’s Restaurant News, Restaurant Hospitality and Food Management are hosting a two-part special webinar series - Resetting the Table During the COVID-19 Crisis - for the foodservice industry to showcase solutions and leadership strategies for operators during the coronavirus pandemic. These webinars (available live and on-demand) feature industry experts and leading operators providing take-home solutions to implement in your own locations.

Join Friday, April 17 for part one of the series featuring Alice Elliot, founder and CEO of The Elliot Group, leading a panel discussion of restaurant executives on how they are navigating through the new normal of service during coronavirus to offer valuable insights! Register today

PRESENTERS

Alice Elliot
Founder & CEO
The Elliot Group

Alice Elliot, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of The Elliot Group, consisting of Elliot Associates, Elliot Advantage, and Elliot Productions, with offices in California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Oregon, Texas, and New York where its corporate headquarters are located. Elliot Associates began their work concentrating in the restaurant and hospitality industries, and over the years, have expanded their repertoire and expertise to include retail, lifestyle brands, and service sector.

Nationally recognized as one of the foremost advisors in executive search, human resources, and leadership, Alice has been featured in QSR Magazine’s “20 Most Influential Restaurant Leaders,” Nation’s Restaurant News’ “50 Most Powerful People in Foodservice,” and on “CBS This Morning Saturday” for her collaboration on ‘The Underground Culinary Tour.’ She has also been a featured speaker on Bloomberg Radio, focusing on business trends and innovation. In addition, Alice has spoken at many industry highlights, including the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators Conference (MUFSO), International Foodservice Management Association (IFMA), Chain Operators Exchange Conference (COEX), The Women’s Foodservice Forum (WFF) Annual Conference, The Multicultural Foodservice Hospitality Alliance Conference (MFHA), The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s Salute to Excellence, and the Annual Food & Wine Magazine Classic at Aspen. Alice is the recipient of several awards, including the coveted Women’s Foodservice Forum “Trailblazer” award, and the prestigious Roundtable for Women in Foodservice “Pacesetter Award.” She sits on the Board of Trustees of The Culinary Institute of America, and was inducted into the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s ‘College of Diplomates’ in 2010 for her tireless work in bringing public awareness to the hospitality industry.

Michael Osanloo
Chief Executive Officer
Portillo’s Hot Dogs LLC

Michael Osanloo is the President and Chief Executive Officer at Portillo’s Hot Dogs where he is responsible for overall brand strategy, business performance and the company’s growth across new states and markets. Michael is a passionate servant leader who has structured the company in a way that affords every team member the opportunity to grow and be successful. Since joining Portillo’s, Michael was named one of 10 business leaders that could change Chicago’s business world in 2019 by the Chicago Tribune.

As the former CEO of P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, Inc., Michael oversaw more than 300 restaurants globally and expanded the brand into China. Prior to, Michael served as Executive Vice President and President of Grocery at Kraft Heinz Company, and in 2005, he served in senior leadership roles at Caesar's Entertainment. In 1996, Michael started his successful nine year run as a Partner at Bain & Company where he helped improve the effectiveness of strategic, operational and marketing initiatives at various multibillion-dollar companies.

Michael holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago in 1996, a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law in 1991 and an AB Degree in Economics in the year 1988 from the University of Michigan.

Lauren Bailey
CEO & Co-Founder
Upward Projects

Lauren Bailey is co-founder and CEO of Upward Projects, a Phoenix-based hospitality group known for forging strong ties in the communities in which it does business. Upward Projects’ portfolio of concepts includes Postino, Windsor, Churn, Federal Pizza and Joyride. In the nearly 20 decades since she founded her company, Bailey has overseen the conceptualization and operations of restaurants in historically significant buildings with a mission preserve and support community culture. She has served on the board for several Arizona-based restaurant associations with the aim of fostering local businesses and increasing Arizona’s culinary distinction among American cities. Bailey was named to Nation’s Restaurant News Power List in 2019 and was a finalist for an Ernst Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2018.