Flavor, Culture & Capital: Business Lessons from Latino Food Industry

August 24, 2026
Educational Theater 1055

Latino restaurants are having their moment — and it's not by accident. As one of the fastest-growing and most fiercely loyal segments in American foodservice, Latino operators have cracked a code the entire industry is trying to figure out: how to build a business that's deeply rooted in culture and wildly profitable.

Behind every packed dining room and viral dish is a story of strategy, sacrifice, and savvy — and this session brings that story to the stage. We're diving into the real business of Latino food: how today's most successful operators balance authenticity with accessibility, turn cultural identity into customer loyalty, and build brands that don't just survive — they define neighborhoods, drive trends, and shape the future of American dining.

If you want to know where the restaurant industry is heading, follow the flavor.

Come for the lessons. Stay for the inspiration.

Speakers
Lupillo Ramirez
Lupillo Ramirez, Senior Director of Innovation and Product Development - Northgate Gonzalez Markets
Jacob Monty
Jacob Monty, Founder - Monty & Ramirez LLP