As the restaurant industry strives to regain its sizzle, a dynamic group of world-class entrepreneurs will offer proven paths to growth and profits during the W.I.S.E. Summit on July 26-27 in Chicago presented by Restaurant Hospitality and Nation’s Restaurant News.

Called “Winning Ideas from Successful Entrepreneurs (W.I.S.E.)” and titled “Hungry for Success,” the program is aimed at delivering insight, inspiration and financial strategies for operators in every segment. Summit sponsors are Modern Line Furniture and Steelite International.

Heading the agenda is entrepreneur extraordinaire John Y. Brown, Jr., a former governor whose vision and boldness transformed KFC into a global restaurant powerhouse. Joining him on the program are seven foodservice leaders known for turning innovative concepts into remarkable successes. They are:

• Tim Gannon, Co-founder of Outback Steakhouse, Inc.
• Todd Graves, Founder and Chief Executive of Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers
• Richard Melman, Founder and Chairman of Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises
• Drew Nieporent, Founder and Chief Executive of the Myriad Restaurant Group
• John Schnatter, Founder and Chief Executive of Papa John’s
• Antonio Swad, Founder and Chief Executive of Pizza Patron
• Kent Taylor, Founder and Chief Executive of Texas Roadhouse

“W.I.S.E. offers an amazing opportunity for attendees. They’ll hear first-hand how some of the biggest names in the industry got where they are today, and how they can get there too,” said Randall Friedman, Vice President, Restaurant Group, Penton Media, publisher of Nation’s Restaurant News.

Mike Sanson, Editor-in-Chief of Restaurant Hospitality, added, “Getting personalized business advice from so many proven winners is something that operators won’t want to miss. This Summit lets you hear from and interact with the best in our business.”

The event begins Tuesday evening, July 26, with the 2011 Richard Melman Award celebration honoring Drew Nieporent, Founder of the Myriad Restaurant Group.

Keynote speeches by Summit participants will highlight activity on Wednesday, July 27. A panel session on “Money Matters: Tips and Advice on Obtaining Financing to Grow Your Business” will be led by Gary Levy, Hospitality Industry Practice Director for J.H. Cohn, LLP. Panelists include: David Gibson, Director, Goldman Sachs Specialty Lending Group; Murray Huneke, Global Head of Consumer Investment Banking, Managing Director, Piper Jaffray; and Andrew Peskoe, Partner, Golenbock, Eiseman, Assor Bell & Peskoe LLP.

The Summit wraps up with a special “Words from the W.I.S.E.” panel, featuring a rapid-fire Q & A session among attendees and W.I.S.E. speakers.

The W.I.S.E. Summit will be held at the Drake Hotel. To register fore the event, call 813-627-6992 or visit www.etouches.com/WISE.