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The world celebrates International Women&rsquo;s Day on March 8 every year, and for the third time, <a href="https://www.fastcasual.com/articles/international-womens-day-27-female-restaurant-execs-who-have-made-it-to-the-top/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=fastcasual-interviews-27-female-executives-for-international-womens-day-2019-2709372" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">FastCasual</a> spoke with several of the industry&rsquo;s most successful female leaders. 
 
The piece notes that according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 46 percent of foodservice managers are women compared to 39 percent overall&mdash;meaning that women like the 27 executives featured are paving the way for other industries to ramp up their representation. 
 
&quot;I believe the restaurant industry is realizing that gender diversity could be a key to any brand&#39;s success,&quot; Slim Chickens Executive Director of Franchise Development Jackie Lobdell told FastCasual. &quot;Diversifying top positions is not just about leveling the playing field; it&#39;s about finally using the best resources they have available to capitalize on every brand&#39;s potential.&quot; 
 
Here&rsquo;s a list of the first round of interviewees:

<ul>
	<li>Jackie Lobdell, executive director of Franchise Development, Slim Chickens</li>
	<li>Kristi Kingery, SVP of Supply Chain &amp; Quality Assurance, Tropical Smoothie Cafe</li>
	<li>Michelle Bythewood, president, Salata Salad Kitchen</li>
	<li>Ursula Lane, senior manager of Franchise Recruitment, Checkers &amp; Rally&#39;s</li>
	<li>Lauren Gruel, VP of Marketing, Slapfish</li>
	<li>Gwen Graham, president, Miller&#39;s Roast Beef</li>
	<li>Andrea Allen, chief accounting and administrative officer, Rave Restaurant Group</li>
	<li>Diana Holley, VP of Marketing, Willy&#39;s Mexicana Grill</li>
	<li>Donna Josephson, SVP and CMO, Corner Bakery Cafe</li>
	<li>Dennie Laney, VP of Training &amp; People Development, Mooyah Burgers, Fries &amp; Shakes</li>
	<li>Ali Rauch, director of Marketing, Chicken Salad Chick</li>
	<li>Jodie Conrad, VP of Marketing, Fazoli&#39;s</li>
	<li>Rachel Phillips-Luther, founder and CMO, Up Inspired Kitchen</li>
	<li>Christina Coy, VP of Marketing, Pie Five Pizza</li>
</ul>

 
Read part one&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fastcasual.com/articles/international-womens-day-27-female-restaurant-execs-who-have-made-it-to-the-top/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=fastcasual-interviews-27-female-executives-for-international-womens-day-2019-2709372" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">here</a>, and stay tuned for part two of the series.

fastcasual, women, feminism, food service, female management, international women's day

FastCasual Interviews 27 Female Executives For International Women's Day 2019

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The publication released its third annual "Women in the Lead" series featuring conversations with the industry’s most inspiring and visionary leaders.

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FastCasual Interviews 27 Female Executives For International Women's Day 2019

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