Founderology Growth Summit
Founderology Growth Summit honoring inaugural 'Visionary Restaurant Founders'
To celebrate the spirit of innovation, the Founderology Growth Summit, being held Feb. 2-4 in Austin, will host a special ceremony to honor the "Top 5 Movers & Shakers: Visionary Restaurant Founders."
January 15, 2026 by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com
Behind every iconic restaurant brand is a founder who saw a gap in the market and filled it long before the rest of the industry caught on. To celebrate that spirit of innovation, the Founderology Growth Summit, being held Feb. 2-4 in Austin, will host a special ceremony to honor the "Top 5 Movers & Shakers: Visionary Restaurant Founders."
The presentation, oon Feb. 3, will be led by Kathleen Wood, founder and CEO of Kathleen Wood Partners, and Aman Devgan, chief marketing officer of HungerRush. The session aims to spotlight the leaders who have turned kitchen-table ideas into national movements. These leaders remind us that the next 'big thing' is usually sitting in someone's kitchen or a gas station right now, waiting for a visionary to bring it to life.
"Founders are the backbone of our industry," Wood said. "They are the innovators. The game changers. The rule breakers. It is an honor to recognize these outstanding Founders who are creating the future of our industry today."
The 2026 honorees represent a diverse cross-section of the fast-casual industry, ranging from plant-based pioneers to coffee moguls and sandwich visionaries.
The 2026 Visionary Honorees
Pinky Cole (Slutty Vegan / Bar Vegan): A culinary disruptor who transformed the perception of plant-based food, Cole has turned her Atlanta-based concept into a national cultural phenomenon. Recognized by Forbes and Restaurant Hospitality, she is being honored for her ability to blend high-growth business with community philanthropy.
Jeff Perera (Jeff's Bagel Run): Perera is being recognized for scaling a home-kitchen passion project into a fast-growing sensation without losing the "people-first" culture. His transition from senior leadership in other sectors to the bagel world has proven that hospitality is the ultimate secret ingredient.
Derrick Hayes (Big Dave's Cheesesteaks): Starting in a 700-square-foot gas station to honor his late father, Hayes has built a multi-million dollar brand rooted in resilience. In 2025, he made history as the highest-ranked Black entrepreneur in the history of theFast Casual Top 100 Movers & Shakers list.
Brandon and Camrin Knudsen (Ziggi's Coffee): This duo is being celebrated for their journey from a single small-town café in Colorado to a national franchise powerhouse. By learning the business from the ground up — including mopping floors and managing inventory — they have built a scalable drive-thru model centered on the "Ziggi's Fam" culture.
Arman Oganesyan (Dave's Hot Chicken): Oganesyan's journey from an actor and comedian to the co-founder of a billion-dollar brand is a masterclass in modern marketing. Starting in a Hollywood parking lot in 2017, Dave's Hot Chicken has become one of the fastest-growing names in the industry.
The awards ceremony will conclude with a group photo of the visionaries on stage. Following the presentation, attendees will have the opportunity to dive deeper into these success stories during the breakout session, "Behind the Success: Award-Winners Lessons Learned Q&A."
Register here for Founderology, the only event designed for founders.
About Cherryh Cansler
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HungerRush
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HungerRush brings every part of your restaurant together — orders, guests, data — in one platform built for fast casual and quick-serve multi-location brands ready to grow.
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