This site is part of the Informa Connect Division of Informa PLC

This site is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Registered in England and Wales. Number 3099067.

Restaurant Leadership Conference
Apr 13 – 16, 2025
JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & SpaPhoenix, AZ

Why Attend

4 days | 65+ Educational Sessions | 100+ Speakers | 160+ Exhibitors & Sponsors | 1,700+ Attendees | ∞ Opportunities

Who Attends Restaurant Leadership Conference?

Our attendees come from varied backgrounds in the restaurant industry. At RLC, reconnect with old friends and build new business partnerships and showcase your company's newest innovations to key decision-makers.

Fast Facts

  • 84% of Operators have a VP or higher title
  • 97% of Operators are decision-makers
  • 38% of chains attending have 100+ units
  • 170+ sponsoring companies

Top 500 Chain Representation

  • 15 of the top 25 Chains
  • 31 of the top 50 Chains
  • 59 of the top 100 Chains
  • 184 of the top 500 Chains

Designed By and For Restaurant Leaders

RLC is the home for top restaurant executives to hone their leadership skills, discuss solutions to industry challenges, and connect with fellow senior restaurant leadership.

In 4 impactful days, RLC delivers years’ worth of exclusive insights. This event is packed with expert sessions, cutting-edge strategies, and the latest developments in the restaurant industry.

Unique to the restaurant industry, Restaurant Leadership Conference draws upon the knowledge and experience of the top leaders in the restaurant industry, from C-suite to IT leaders to the innovative chefs who pioneer the latest culinary trends in foodservice, to create an attendee-driven agenda that focuses on real solutions for today’s key challenges.

Our 4-day program features

  • 65+ sessions

  • 100+ speakers

  • Unparalleled networking

  • NEST meet-ups

  • Exclusive keynote speakers

  • 160+ exhibiting sponsors

  • Executive breakfasts & networking meet-ups

  • Event experiences

Discover Solutions Providers & Professional Partnerships

Network with hundreds of restaurant industry experts and leading solution providers to uncover all the latest innovations and must-haves for your business.

Explore the RLC Marketplace and meet with our 160+ vendors exhibiting hundreds of solutions and services that can help you identify the best technology solutions to increase POS conversions, manage customer data, and elevate your business.

Event Experiences & Special Events

Each and every activity within the RLC agenda is an opportunity to expand your professional network. From the Welcome Reception to our Golf Tournament, you'll be surrounded by the restaurant industry's best and brightest. Don't miss out on these opportunities to meet new friends, chat with old ones, and have fun.

  • The NEST - an exclusive meeting of C-suite thought leaders seeking to collectively take on restaurant industry challenges

  • Golf Tournament

  • Hiking Excursion

  • Arizona Desert Jeep Tour

  • Serve Up Some Sizzle: A Pepper Lunch Pickleball Party

  • Sur La Table cooking class

  • Welcome Reception

  • VIP Keynote Speaker Mark Wahlberg

  • Speed Networking

RLC 2024 attendees at the Golf Tournament

Golf Tournament

Enjoy a morning of golf on the picturesque fairways of the Wildfire Golf Club. This is the perfect opportunity to continue building business relationships while practicing your swing. After the tournament, enjoy lunch with your fellow golfers.

RLC 2024 attendees at the Pickleball Tournament

Serve Up Some Sizzle: A Pepper Lunch Pickleball Party

Kick off your day on the courts with one of America’s fastest-growing sports: Pickleball! Join the Pepper Lunch team for a fun-filled morning event that promises competition and excitement. Enjoy lively beats from the DJ, savor delicious snacks and refreshing beverages, and seize the opportunity to win fantastic prizes. Whether you're a seasoned pro or new to the game, there's something for everyone!

Sponsored by: Pepper Lunch

Sonoran Desert landscape view

Arizona Desert Jeep Tour

Climb on board in an open-air Jeep and experience the beauty and serenity of Arizona's Sonoran Desert on this guided tour. Learn about the spectacular trails from a genuine cowboy guide.

Sonoran Desert mountain

Hiking Excursion

Two different hikes will be offered by our professional guides: one for the more fitness-oriented hiker seeking a unique outdoor workout and one for the more leisurely hiker looking for an up close and personal tour of the desert's beauty.

Prepared food at RLC 2024

Sur La Table

Great cooking is about more than recipes—it's about techniques. In this custom designed class you'll work together with fellow attendees in a fun, hands-on environment led by professional chef instructors.

RLC 2024 attendees at a Lunch & Learn session

The NEST

An exclusive safe haven where like-minded C-Suite thought leaders collectively take on restaurant industry challenges.

Past Company Attendees