The Power List 2018: The 50 most influential people in foodservice

Returning for the fifth year running, the NRN Power List is a definitive list of leaders who are defining the industry — of both today and tomorrow. See who made the list, beginning with the Evolvers and ending with the Top 10 people dominating the industry.

Note: Only the Top 10 are ranked, and the remaining 40 are grouped by areas of influence.

Andrew and Peggy Cherng

Co-founders, co-chairmen, co-CEOs, Panda Restaurant Group Inc.
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John Dillon

CMO, Denny's Corp.
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Sam Fox

Founder, Fox Restaurant Concepts
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Kevin Hochman

President and chief concept officer, KFC
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Lisa Ingram

President and CEO, White Castle

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Danny Meyer

Founder and CEO, Union Square Hospitality Group
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Kurt Kane

Chief concept and marketing officer, The Wendy's Co.
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Paul Brown

CEO, Arby's
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Greg Creed

CEO, Yum! Brands Inc.
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Daniel Schwartz

CEO, Restaurant Brands International Inc.
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Wyman T. Roberts

President and CEO, Brinker International Inc.
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Sandra Cochran

President and CEO, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Inc.
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Tilman Fertitta

Owner, chairman and CEO, Fertitta Entertainment Inc.
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Dawn Sweeney

President and CEO, National Restaurant Association
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Tim Ryan

CIA

President, The Culinary Institute of America
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Gerry Fernandez

Founder and president, Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance
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Hattie Hill

President and CEO, Women's Foodservice Forum
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Denny Marie Post

President and CEO, Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Inc.
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Wan Kim

CEO, Smoothie King
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Kelli Valade

President, Chili's Grill & Bar
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Justin Rosenberg

Honeygrow

Founder and CEO, Honeygrow
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Brett Schulman

President and CEO, Cava Group Inc.
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James Park

CEO, Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh
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Kimbal Musk

The Kitchen

Co-founder and CEO, The Kitchen
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Steve Heeley

President and CEO, Veggie Grill
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J. Clifford Hudson

President, Chairman and CEO, Sonic Corp.
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José Andrés

ThinkFoodGroup

President, ThinkFoodGroup
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Christina Tosi

Chef, Founder and Owner, Milk Bar
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Jordan Kahn

Vespertine

Chef, Vespertine
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Dale Talde

Chef and co-founder, Three Kings Restaurant Group
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Maneet Chauhan

Chef and restauranteur, Chauhan Ale & Masala House, Vermilion
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Katina & Kyle Connaughton

SingleThread

Chef; head farmer, SingleThread
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Noah Glass

Founder and CEO, Olo

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Elizabeth Smith

Chairman and CEO, Bloomin' Brands Inc.
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Stacy Peterson

Chief experience officer, Wingstop Inc.
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Howard Schultz

Executive Chairman, Starbucks Corp.
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Jeff Bezos

Founder and CEO, Amazon.com
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Rodney McMullen

Chairman and CEO, The Kroger Co.
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Chris Gheysens

President and CEO, Wawa Inc.
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Joseph DePinto

President and CEO, 7-Eleven Inc.
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No. 10: Dara Khosrowshahi

CEO, Uber
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No. 9: Aziz Hashim

Managing partner and founder, NRD Capital; interim CEO, Ruby Tuesday
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No. 8: Amanda Cohen

Dirt Candy

Chef and Owner, Dirt Candy
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No. 7: J. Patrick Doyle

President and CEO, Domino's
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No. 6: Lynsi Snyder

President and owner, In-N-Out Burger
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No. 5: Gene Lee

President and CEO, Darden Restaurants Inc.
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No. 4: Suzanne Greco

President and CEO, Subway
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No. 3: Olivier Goudet

Partner and CEO, JAB Holding Co.
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No. 2: Neal Aronson

Roark Capital Group

Founder and Managing Partner, Roark Capital Group
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No. 1: Steve Easterbrook

President and CEO, McDonald's Corp.
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