Events, Conferences

Company Snapshot

• Year Founded: 1989 (parent entity: Restaurant Finance Monitor)
• Headquarters Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota (parent); Event held annually at the Bellagio, Las Vegas, Nevada
• Ownership: Privately held; produced by Restaurant Finance Monitor
• Key Executives: John Hamburger (President, Restaurant Finance Monitor), Mary Jo Larson (Conference Planning)
• Number of Locations: Annual event; not a multi-location business. Conference venue for 2025: Bellagio Hotel, Las Vegas
• Public Contact: Website: https://www.restfinance.com/rfdc/; No direct email or phone listed—contact via website

Company Overview

The Restaurant Finance \& Development Conference (RFDC), presented by Restaurant Finance Monitor, is an annual financial conference dedicated to restaurant owners, operators, and financial executives. Its mission is to equip industry leaders—including multi-unit franchise operators—with expert insights on finance, development, capital markets, and strategic growth opportunities, specifically addressing the complex financial challenges and decisions faced by franchise systems.

Services Offered

• Expert-led educational sessions on restaurant finance, development, M\&A, technology, accounting, and operations.
• Networking events connecting franchise owners, operators, lenders, investors, and solution providers.
• Access to financial sources including banks, finance companies, investment banks, private equity, and real estate experts.
• Dedicated matchmaking opportunities for financing, buying/selling businesses, and partnerships in the restaurant and franchise sector.

Value Proposition

• Industry Specialization: The RFDC is exclusively dedicated to the restaurant industry and is highly attended by multi-unit franchises, emerging brands, and financial executives across QSR, casual dining, and hospitality segments.
• Key Benefits:
  • Provides actionable strategies for capital structure, expansion financing, and deal sourcing tailored for franchise systems.
  • Offers direct networking with decision-makers from hundreds of multi-unit franchise brands—a unique venue for sourcing growth capital, technology, and financial services.
  • Facilitates professional development on franchise valuation, scaling, labor optimization, and internal financial controls.
• Franchise Expertise: Frequent agenda sessions and presentations center on franchising trends, and panels often feature executives from leading franchise brands; previous events have highlighted franchise-focused panels, practical case studies, and strategic best practices for franchisors and franchisees.

This summary enables franchise owners to objectively assess RFDC as a high-impact networking and educational resource for their ongoing growth and operational improvements.