Inspire Brands Honored as Global Restaurant Leader of the Year; Shake Shack, Jollibee Group, AVOLTA, and Wingstop Recognized for Industry Innovation.
NEW YORK, NY, UNITED STATES, August 10, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Informa Connect has announced the recipients of the first-ever Globie Awards, set to be presented during the 2026 Global Restaurant Leadership Conference (GRLC) at the JW Marriott in Cannes, France,November 4-6.This milestone ceremony will highlight the most innovative, forward-thinking,and high-impact leaders and brands defining the future of global foodservice.
The debut of the Globie Awards comes as the restaurant industry sees unprecedented global expansion, with international chains navigating complex hurdles ranging from supply chain disruptions to evolving consumer preferences across varied markets.
"These awards honor organizations that have successfully scaled operations while preserving brand integrity and operational excellence across borders," said Chris Keating, Executive Vice President of Conferences at Informa Connect. "These winners represent the gold standard in leadership, technology, menu innovation, franchise excellence, and international expansion."
2026 Globie Award Winners
Global Restaurant Leader of the Year: Inspire Brands
Inspire Brands is being presented with the top honor for visionary leadership and extraordinary influence on the global restaurant industry. Operating 33,400 restaurants across 55 global markets, Inspire Brands has demonstrated that its multi-brand platform can drive the next phase of restaurant growth. Through its portfolio of iconic brands—including Arby’s, Baskin-Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings, Buffalo Wild Wings GO, Dunkin’, Jimmy John’s, and SONIC—the company is lauded for its highly engaged franchisees, data and insights that fuel innovation, guest experience excellence, and global growth and influence.
"We are honored to receive the Global Restaurant Leader of the Year award on behalf of everyone at Inspire Brands, our family of iconic brands, and our licensees," said Inspire Brands Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer Paul Brown. "I want to congratulate our people and business partners for this well-deserved recognition that reflects the passion of our licensees and team members around the world. Their collective drive to innovate and pursue an outstanding guest experience is what makes achievements like this possible. As we continue to expand our global footprint, we remain dedicated to meeting evolving consumer needs, growing our brands, and creating lasting impact in the communities we serve. GRLC brings together some of the brightest minds in our industry, and we are grateful to be part of a global community committed to shaping the future of restaurants."
Menu Innovator of the Year: Shake Shack
Recognized for breakthrough menu innovation with global appeal, Shake Shack operates over 500 locations across more than 30 countries. The award acknowledges the brand’s ability to combine premium, chef-inspired offerings with value-driven options, establishing a new benchmark in the fast-casual segment through high-quality ingredients and limited-time offerings that consistently drive traffic and engagement.
Global Growth Champion: Jollibee Group
Honored for outstanding international expansion, Jollibee Group has evolved from its Philippine roots into a multinational operator with more than 6,800 stores in 34 countries. Its diverse portfolio includes Jollibee, Chowking, Mang Inasal, Smashburger, and The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.
Franchise Excellence Award: AVOLTA
Recognized for exceptional partnership, operational excellence, and brand representation as a major franchisee of leading international brands such as Burger King and Starbucks. The launch of Club AVOLTA, an innovative loyalty program, connects customers across brands and locations, improving engagement through personalized rewards and a seamless, end-to-end travel experience.
Technolgy Innovator of the Year: Wingstop
Awarded for outstanding innovation using technology to improve operations and customer experience across more than 2200 locations in 45+ countries. Wingstop’s digital transformation leadership is reflected in digital sales representing 72.5% of system-wide sales in Q1 2026, while simultaneously investing in Smart Kitchen technology, the Club Wingstop loyalty program, and international expansion to support long-term growth.
Powered by The Coca-Cola Company
The Globie Awards are powered by The Coca-Cola Company, highlighting their commitment to recognizing and advancing leadership in the global restaurant industry.
"At The Coca-Cola Company, we’re proud to sponsor the inaugural Globie Awards and celebrate the innovators who are shaping the future of the global restaurant industry," said Dagmar Boggs, President, Foodservice & On-Premise, North America, The Coca-Cola Company. "What makes the Global Restaurant Leadership Conference so special is its ability to bring together leaders from around the world to share ideas, learn from one another, and unlock new opportunities for growth. The Globie Award winners represent the entrepreneurial spirit, creativity, and commitment to excellence that continue to elevate the restaurant industry."
Attend GRLC 2026
The Global Restaurant Leadership Conference takes place November 4-6, 2026, featuring cutting-edge insights, impactful networking opportunities, C-Suite Collaborative connection groups, and thought leadership sessions focused on the trends and strategies driving the future of global foodservice. Spaces are limited for this historic event where top C-Suite leaders from each winning brand will take the stage. For more information about GRLC 2026, visit informaconnect.com/global-restaurant-leadership.
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About the Global Restaurant Leadership Conference (GRLC)
The Global Restaurant Leadership Conference is the restaurant industry’s premier global event, bringing together senior executives from top restaurants with more than 50 units in 2 or more countries. The inaugural Globie Awards ceremony on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, is a glamorous evening celebration featuring world-class entertainment, formal award presentations, a red-carpet exit, and a gourmet dinner reception.
About Informa Connect Foodservice
Informa Connect Foodservice brings together market-leading brands, exceptional talent, and deep customer relationships across the growing B2B foodservice market, delivering top-tier editorial content, digital and print publications, data assets, and events that customers know and trust.
Jodie Cohen
Informa Connect
Jodie.Cohen@informa.com
