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Attention new brands: Make Perfect Pitch nominations by June 14 or miss the chance of a lifetime

New brands have until June 14 to apply for a chance to win a spot on stage in the popular Perfect Pitch restaurant standoff at the Fast Casual Executive Summit in Austin this fall. A spot in the competition could net your brand a $5,000 prize and more attention from leading restaurateurs and potential investors than you can imagine.

January 23, 2019

2019 is the fifth anniversary of the popular "Perfect Pitch" competition for emerging brands at the annual Fast Casual Executive Summit, this year Oct. 13-15 in Austin. That called for something special, so the event sponsors have doubled the number of brands accepted this year to pitch their concepts to potential investors and franchisees and add something every emerging brand can use: cold, hard cash.  

"We're also giving a $5,000 cash prize to the winning brand," said FastCasual Editor Cherryh Cansler, who describes the contest as a friendlier version of "Shark Tank" for entrepreneurs looking for a leg up with growing their brands. "Over the years, we've seen several really great concepts and are honored to provide a vehicle to help them succeed."

For a chance to be one of six finalists chosen to pitch their concepts, brands must nominate themselves here by June 14 and must meet the following three guidelines:

• Have at least one store open but no more than 10
• Must be no less than 6 months old and no more than 5 years old.
• Share revenue and average sales data.

By July 15, FastCasual will notify the six finalists, who will receive free advice from industry experts and two free passes to attend this year's Summit. They must cover their own costs for travel and accommodations. 

After each brand gives a five-minute pitch on Oct.15, attendees and judges will vote on the concept they believe is most likely to succeed in its expansion plans. The winner will receive bragging rights, $5,000 in cash, complimentary hotel and registration for one at a summit in 2020. FastCasual will also publish a story about the winning concept along with several mentions on its social media sites.

"It's important to us as publishers to help the people from the industries we cover to connect with one another," said Kathy Doyle, publisher of Networld Media Group, the parent company of FastCasual. "We strongly believe that those attending the Perfect Pitch will have the first chance to see and even invest in tomorrow's fast casual leaders." 

Last year's winner was GoPoke, a Seattle-based fast casual serving authentic Hawaiian poke and desserts. It also serves shaved ice, Dole Whip and tropical homemade drinks.

For GoPoke co-founder Bayley Le, who started the brand just about two years ago with two brothers, the victory was "exciting," and attendance at the event proved invaluable.

"We're learning," he said of the Summit event. His advice for new brands is to "stand for something and believe it in."
Street Shak Caribbean Kitchen of Toronto won in 2017, Los Angeles-based Rockfire Grill won in 2016, and the 2015 winner was Pincho, based in Miami.

Street Shak Caribbean Kitchenof Toronto won in 2017, Los Angeles-based  Rockfire Grillwon in 2016, and the 2015 winner was Pincho, based in Miami.

Feature photo: iStock