Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo Announces 2015 Keynote Speaker

The Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo has announced that Rodney Eckerman, PizzaRev CEO and co-founder, will serve as the keynote speaker at the August 23-25 event at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The tradeshow and conference, sponsored by the California Restaurant Association, is the largest showcase of foodservice products in the Western US, giving attendees everything they need to know in terms of the latest trends, newest product options, and idea generating special events.

“We are thrilled to be working with PizzaRev and having Rodney Eckerman discuss his success as our keynote presenter and provide our attendees with real applicable business lessons,” said Ron Mathews, Industry Vice President for the Western Foodservice Expo. “This special keynote will be part of our extensive Ferdinand Metz Foodservice Forum education program which offers three-days of leading educational content that is practical and relevant for today’s foodservice professional.”

Eckerman sits on the National Restaurant Association’s Fast Casual Industry Council, the primary advocate for the fast casual restaurant segment, and is a regular speaker at leading industry events, including the Franchise Finance & Growth Conference and the Restaurant Finance & Development Conference.

Prior to founding PizzaRev in 2012 with longtime business partner, Irv Zuckerman, Eckerman served in a senior management capacity in diverse areas of the entertainment business. His career has included serving as President of Pace Music, COO of NYSE listed SFX’s Music Division, and Co-CEO and COO of NYSE listed Clear Channel’s Music Division. While at Clear Channel, Eckerman had P & L responsibility for operations with gross revenues in excess of 1.4 billion, including food and beverage operations grossing over 100 million per year with operations spanning the US and a large part of Europe.

PizzaRev continues to expand nationally with support from partner Buffalo Wild Wings Inc., who in 2013 announced an equity-investment in PizzaRev and announced an increase in their stake in 2014. The brand has earned a loyal following among Southern California fans that continues to spread across the country as the company enters new markets. Named one of the “10 Brands to Watch” by CNBC and #15 in the FastCasual “Top 100 Movers and Shakers,” PizzaRev has captured the attention and affection of investors and consumers alike. The company continues to seek out franchise partners who share the founders’ food-forward mission and commitment to giving back to the communities it serves.

posted by Andrea Gonzalez 7/6/15