Ahead of each Ops Summit, Crunchtime customers are invited to participate in the Ops Excellence Awards, a celebration of restaurant teams and operators who achieve operational excellence through innovation, data-driven practices, and strong leadership.
Previous winners like sweetgreen and SPB Hospitality demonstrated impressive achievements that included saving both a significant amount of time and money.
With an impressive slate of nominations, selecting finalists was no easy task. We’re excited to spotlight five organizations whose operational approaches stood out for their scale, complexity, and impact.
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema has redefined the moviegoing experience by pairing first-run films with a full-service, scratch-made food and beverage program. Operating at the intersection of hospitality and entertainment, the brand manages complex, multi-course menus while delivering highly choreographed service inside auditoriums across its theater portfolio. During their presentation, Alamo Drafthouse will focus on how operational alignment, kitchen execution, and labor planning come together to support premium dining at cinema scale.
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MSC Cruises brings restaurant-scale complexity to an entirely different level, operating thousands of dining experiences daily across a modern fleet sailing worldwide. From fine dining to casual venues, each ship functions as a self-contained operation with unique staffing, inventory, and logistical challenges. MSC Cruises’ presentation will spotlight how the organization coordinates supply chain planning, onboard execution, and real-time operational insight to maintain high service and dining standards across oceans, ports, and time zones.
Panini Kabob Grill
Panini Kabob Grill is known for its commitment to fresh, Mediterranean cuisine prepared in true scratch kitchens. As the brand continues to grow its multi-unit footprint, maintaining that commitment requires disciplined processes and strong operational systems behind the scenes. At Ops Summit, Panini Kabob Grill will focus on how it balances culinary authenticity with scalability, using operational structure, training, and data to drive efficiency without compromising food quality.
P.F. Chang’s has long been recognized for its bold flavors, wok-cooked dishes, and elevated guest experience. Supporting that experience across a national restaurant footprint requires seamless coordination between people, process, and technology. In their session, P.F. Chang’s will explore how tech-enabled operations help drive consistency, support execution in the kitchen, and empower teams to deliver the brand’s signature experience at scale.
During Ops Summit 2026, attendees will have the opportunity to learn directly from these industry leaders and vote live to determine the 2026 Ops Excellence Awards winner. Congratulations to all finalists. We look forward to celebrating your achievements and the operational excellence that drives your success.
Are you a Crunchtime customer and want to attend Ops Summit? Don’t miss your chance to learn from these leaders in operations excellence and cast your vote live! Register now.