On The QSR Evolution Conference Agenda: Lola Beans CEO Donny Bradley

We continue a new series introducing the speakers for September’s QSR Evolution Conference with Donny Bradley, founder and CEO of rising coffee chain Lola Beans. Bradly will be taking the stage for the session, “Is Your Restaurant Easy to Work In?” at 10 a.m. on September 9. The discussion will get into how you ensure happy employees make happy guests.

Bradly opened the first Lola Beans in 2020 after converting a small property he owned in Chattanooga, Tennessee. A second, high-volume dual-lane store arrived two years later in Cleveland (the Tennessee version). Now, the brand is ready to scale after its strongest year yet.

Bradley’s goal for Lola Beans has been to lead with a people-first philosophy derived in “good energy” and guided by some of the principles of Truett Cathy and coaching legend Nick Saban.

In fitting fashion, what is one “Evolution” your company has made recently, or plans to make, that’s really helping drive performance.

Since we started franchising, we’ve made a lot of changes, so it’s hard to point to just one. One of the biggest has been expanding our corporate team with experienced leaders who can help us scale the right way. We’ve also made key improvements to our menu and operations to reduce costs while improving quality and consistency.

On the marketing side, we’ve really focused on loyalty programs and creating an exceptional customer experience that keeps people coming back. We also recently partnered with Citadel Development, Russo Modular, and Foodservice Equipment Brokers to support franchise growth and help future franchisees open more efficiently.

Come prepared, be well-rested, and don’t stay up too late the night before. Conferences are an opportunity to learn, recharge, and make meaningful connections. The biggest value comes from the conversations you have with other attendees, operators, and industry leaders. Your network plays a huge role in your success, and you’d be surprised how willing people are to share advice, experiences, and lessons learned. Take advantage of every conversation—you never know which one could have a lasting impact on your business.

While AI will certainly be a major topic, I think one of the biggest themes we’ll see emerge in food, beverage, and franchising is a renewed appreciation for genuine human connection. Technology is advancing rapidly, but in the drive-thru beverage space, we’re seeing consumers crave real interactions more than ever.

Coffee and beverage concepts have become part of people’s daily routines, and often those few minutes of interaction can make a meaningful difference in someone’s day. At Lola Beans, we have customers who come through every day, and our team genuinely looks forward to catching up with them. Many of our regular guests have become friends.

Technology can improve efficiency, but it can’t replace authentic human relationships. As our world becomes increasingly digital, I think people will continue seeking out brands and experiences that make them feel known, valued, and connected. That’s something no technology will ever fully replace.