The nomination deadline is Jan. 26
Los Angeles-based Dave’s Hot Chicken and Sweetgreen, Chicago’s Wow Bao and BurgerFi, headquartered in Florida, may seem to lack commonalities, but they share one major distinction. They’ve taken the No. 1 spot over the past few years on FastCasual’s list of Top 100 Movers & Shakers.
Dave’s was the 2023 champion, Wow Bao made history as the first brand to take the title two times in 2019 and again in 2022; Sweetgreen topped the list in 2020, and BurgerFi was the winner in 2021.
It begs the question: Who will be top dog in 2024?
In its 18th year, the Top 100 recognizes the top 75 brands as well as 25 executives leading the fast casual restaurant industry, recognizing growth and sales accomplishments and honoring menu trendsetters as well as brands incorporating technology to enhance the customer experience.
How it works
Brands will nominate themselves hereby answering a few questions about their businesses to help judges narrow down the list. The second set of questions will ask people to nominate the executives they believe best represent the industry. People may nominate themselves or their colleagues.
Nominations will close Jan. 26, and the results will be revealed at an annual awards gala in May in Chicago coinciding with the National Restaurant Association show.
Click here to nominate a brand and/or executive.
Cherryh Cansler is VP of Events for Networld Media Group and senior editor of FastCasual.com. She has been covering the restaurant industry since 2012. Her byline has appeared in Forbes, The Kansas City Star and American Fitness magazine, among many others.
