Creating the Future: Challenging Foodservice Paradigms


The pace of change in foodservice has never been faster, and innovation is no longer optional. Best-selling author and industry visionary Ira Blumenthal will share how operators and brands can move beyond “the way it’s always been done” to embrace new models, new technologies, and new mindsets. With fresh insights and thought-provoking strategies, he’ll challenge you to see disruption as opportunity and inspire you to build the future of foodservice by reimagining what’s possible. 

Keynote Speaker
Ira Blumenthal
President
Co-Opportunities Inc.
Recipient of the highest honors in the food industry (“Key Person Award,” “President’s Award,” “NRA’s Lifetime Achievement Award”), Ira Blumenthal was Visiting Professor at the University of Notre Dame’s Foodservice Institute and Michigan State University’s Food Industry Institute. He was the CMO of a $1-billion food brand, the President of a $300-million food manufacturing company and later, as a consultant, was the longest continually retained “lead consultant” to Coca-Cola, advising the beverage giant for 26 continuous years. Ira is the author of four books, one a “best seller”… a syndicated columnist… and a public speaker who addressed nearly 3000 audiences on 5 continents. Pertinent to the vending and kiosk industry… just as Ira is credited for being an innovator who helped extend restaurant brands onto college campuses… then later extending restaurant brands into supermarket frozen food cases… and now… so relevant to our conference here today… he is committed to again extending iconic restaurant brands but this time through vending… via his company, Automated Restaurant Solutions.
View Full Agenda