Women in the Lead 2025: Spotlighting 21 fast casual leaders

Designated by the National Women’s History Alliance, this year’s theme is “Moving Forward Together,” spotlighting “women educating and inspiring generations.” Its fitting for women working in the fast casual industry, who have a reputation for working together to elevate one another.

Happy International Women’s Day (March 8) and Women’s History Month, which we are celebrating all month long on FastCasual by highlighting 21 women leading the fast casual industry.

Designated by the National Women’s History Alliance, this year’s theme is “Moving Forward Together,” spotlighting “women educating and inspiring generations.” It aligns perfectly with The International Women’s Day theme, “For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.” Both are fitting for women working in the fast casual industry, who have a reputation for working together to elevate one another.

The movement is a “call to action demanding equal rights, power and opportunities for all where no one is left behind,” according to the United Nations. The sentiment is more important than ever as “insecurity, crises and democratic decay have created a perfect storm of backlash against women’s rights, according to UN Women, the United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. “Nearly three quarters of the world’s population are living under autocratic rule that have curtailed rights and freedoms, and over 600 million women and girls lived in conflict-affected countries in 2022.”

I know we can’t change the world at once, and even when it feels like we are going backward, each of us can continue to do our small part to make things better. For the past decade, “doing my part” has been providing a platform for women’s voices in the industry that I cover. I am honored to share the stories of:

1. Sarah Anderson, SVP, operations, Beans & Brews Coffeehouse.
2. Sharon Arthofer, CEO and founder of Sip Fresh.
3. Annica Conrad, chief brand officer, City Barbeque.
4. Kayla Dillon, VP of marketing, Cheba Hut Franchising.
5. Dana Edwards Manatos, founder and CEO, MilkShake Factory.
6. Elisia Flores CEO, L&L Hawaiian Barbecue.
7. Alexis Gillette, VP, marketing at Dunn Brothers Coffee.
8. Kelly Gray, VP and co-owner, Hot Head Burritos
9. Samantha Hebel, director, marketing, Hungry Howie’s.
10. Malorie Maddox, chief strategy officer, Scooter’s Coffee.
11. Erin Mandzik, senior director of corporate communications, FAT Brands.
12. Morgan Mullen, director, marketing, PrimoHoagies.
13. Tonya McCoy VP, marketing, Angry Chickz.
14. Kelsey McManemin, VP of marketing, HTeaO.
15. Jane McPherson, SVP, marketing, Penn Station East Coast Subs.
16. Dawn Nielsen, COO, Kolache Factory.
17. Elaine Patel VP, Guest Experience and Local Store Marketing, FAT Brands.
18. Dawn Petite, president of BRIX Holdings.
19. Jennifer Schuler, CEO, Handel’s Ice Cream.
20. Katie Thoms, VP, marketing, FAT Brands, QSR Division.
21. Julie Wade, head of marketing, Taziki’s.