On The QSR Evolution Conference Agenda: Taco John’s CEO Heather Neary

In the weeks to come, as we approach this year’s QSR Evolution Conference, I’ll share some thoughts from speakers taking the stage. First up is Heather Neary, CEO of Taco John’s. Neary joined the company in 2024 and previously served as president at QSR franchisee KBP Brands. She began her restaurant career with Auntie Anne’s, culminating in the role of brand president.

Neary’s session is one of our fireside chat, one-on-one talks. It will take place at 1:30 p.m. on September 9 in Atlanta.

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

At Taco John’s, we’ve really spent time digging into the history and the why and how we got here. By understanding how we got here, we can figure out how to get to where we need to go. With some key listening sessions with all stakeholders, we’ve been able to determine our core issues and then develop a collaborative plan to address those core issues.

We’re focusing on a few key areas—quality, hospitality, and value. We’re doing this through consistency in execution, operational excellence, a reboot of training programs, and a focus on the guest that is meaningful and deep—not transactional.

What’s your best piece of advice on how to get the most out of in-person conferences?

Embrace the chaos. There’s just as much value to be had from the networking time as there is from the sessions. Meet someone new at every break. During the sessions, think about what the speaker is saying and how that applies to your business. It’s also always important to follow up after the conference. Share with your colleagues back at the office, connect on LinkedIn with folks you met, etc.

What’s a theme, from AI to the consumer to value (or something else) you expect to hear about early, often, and after this year’s event?

I think we’re in an interesting time in the QSR space. We have a lot of competition for a few dollars. The guest experience, the quality, the value—all these components will continue to be themes we hear as brands attempt to differentiate themselves and break through the noise.