Here’s the full day-by-day schedule for QSR Evolution 2026, from Tuesday’s arrival-day reception through Thursday’s closing keynote. One registration covers both the QSR Evolution and FSR NextGen Summit programs, so you can move between tracks freely. Breakout room assignments are still listed as TBD on the official agenda — check the printed program on arrival. Times and sessions are subject to change; verify against qsrevolutionconference.com before finalizing your plans.
Tuesday, September 8
Arrival day — half day, registration opens at noon.
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12:00 – 7:00 PM
Registration & Information Desk
Grand Hall Foyer -
12:00 – 5:00 PM
Exhibitor Set-up
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3:30 – 4:30 PM
Pre-Event Innovation Forum
Attendees choose 1 of 3 sessions.
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5:40 – 6:30 PM
Welcome Address: Susannah Frost, President, Chick-fil-A, Inc.
Centennial Ballroom -
6:30 – 8:00 PM
Welcome Reception — “80s Night”
Grand HallMarks Chick-fil-A’s 80th year — 80s dress encouraged, but come as you are.
Wednesday, September 9
The first full day — opening keynote through the WiRL-D happy hour.
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8:00 – 8:45 AM
Networking Breakfast
Grand Hall -
8:45 – 9:45 AM
Opening Keynote: Tom Curtis, President, Burger King U.S. & Canada
Centennial Ballroom -
10:00 – 10:45 AM
Breakouts Round #1
Choose 1 of 7 tracks.
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11:15 AM – 12:00 PM
Breakouts Round #2
Choose 1 of 7 tracks.
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12:00 – 1:30 PM
Networking Lunch
Grand HallThree sponsor lunch-and-learns run concurrently at 12:15 PM.
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1:30 – 2:15 PM
Breakouts Round #3
Choose 1 of 7 tracks.
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2:30 – 3:15 PM
Closing Keynote: Scott Greenberg
Centennial BallroomOn 30-second coaching.
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3:15 – 4:00 PM
Closing Keynote: Lisa Ingram, CEO, White Castle
Centennial Ballroom -
4:00 – 5:30 PM
“Around the WiRL-D” Happy Hour
Grand HallWomen in Restaurant Leadership.
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8:00 – 10:00 PM
Late Night Reception
Thursday, September 10
The closing day — final breakouts and the Texas Roadhouse keynote.
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8:00 – 8:45 AM
Networking Breakfast
Grand Hall -
8:45 – 9:00 AM
Intouch Insight Drive-Thru Study Report Reveal
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9:00 – 9:45 AM
Opening Keynote: Rob Lynch, CEO, Shake Shack
Centennial Ballroom -
10:00 – 10:45 AM
Breakouts Round #4
Choose 1 of 7 tracks.
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11:15 AM – 12:00 PM
Breakouts Round #5
Choose 1 of 7 tracks.
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12:00 – 2:00 PM
WiRL Workshop & Lunch
Plus two “State of the Union” sessions.
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1:30 – 2:15 PM
Breakouts Round #6
Choose 1 of 7 tracks.
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2:30 – 2:45 PM
Datassential State of the Industry: Kelley Fechner
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2:45 – 3:30 PM
Closing Keynote: Jerry Morgan, CEO, Texas Roadhouse
Centennial Ballroom -
3:30 – 7:00 PM
Exhibitor Tear-down
Seven session tracks
Breakouts run in seven parallel tracks — five under QSR Evolution, two under FSR NextGen. Your badge gets you into any of them, no pre-selection needed.
Track 1
Tech Check and Innovation Central
An entire track on the technology and solutions powering restaurants — AI, loyalty, and what’s coming next. Experts break down the biggest buzzwords and separate myth from reality in the most disruptive corner of the QSR business.
Track 2
The Labor and Culture Report
Labor remains central to every operator’s ability to thrive. This track explores how restaurants drive results through people, and what it takes to become a culture-centric operation that wins from the front line.
Track 3
Emerging Brands and Entrepreneurship
How operators of all sizes scale their brands — from start-up stage to managing a multi-concept fleet. How to grow with intent, develop systems and teams, and approach the next life stage.
Track 4
Take the Lead
Intimate stories of success and evolution — one-on-one fireside chats with top brands, plus QSR magazine’s “CEO to CEO: Behind the Counter” series, where executives turn the mics on each other.
Track 5
Franchising and the Road to Growth
There’s no single path to expansion. Leading voices tackle franchising, corporate development, raising and deploying capital, and building a restaurant portfolio the right way.
Track 6
FSR NextGen: The NextGen Dining Experience
The full-service dining experience is changing fast. From AI-powered menu development and operational tech to social-media-optimized design and human-centric service — how brands design spaces, menus, and experiences that feel modern and human.
Track 7
FSR NextGen: Leadership & Brand Purpose
Beyond culture as a buzzword — the brand purpose that feeds a healthy culture. Leaders who coach and train with intention, develop people with purpose, and create genuine hospitality.
Key venue rooms
Looking for a specific speaker or session?
Browse the full speaker list to find a name or brand, or ask our free conference assistant about any session, track, or keynote — it answers instantly, no signup.