Phil Rosenthal, the restaurateur and television personality behind "Somebody Feed Phil," will share the stage with Steve Ells, co-founder of Chipotle Mexican Grill, and the founders of Panda Express at the 2026 CREATE conference. The three-day event runs July 20-22 in California.
CREATE has become the restaurant industry's premier gathering for emerging restaurateurs and food entrepreneurs seeking to build their own concepts. The lineup signals the conference's focus on founder stories and scaling independent restaurants into national brands.
Rosenthal brings credibility as both operator and media personality. His Emmy-winning Netflix show documents his travels eating at family restaurants worldwide, while his own restaurants—Stephanie's on 82nd in Chicago and others—ground his perspective in hands-on kitchen operations. His participation appeals to entrepreneurs wanting to understand how hospitality translates across platforms and cultures.
Ells co-founded Chipotle in 1993 with a mission to change how fast-casual restaurants source and prepare food. His journey from a single Denver location to a publicly traded company resonates with founders seeking growth strategies and operational excellence in the QSR space.
The Panda Express founders represent immigrant entrepreneurship and the explosive growth of Asian-American cuisine in mainstream American dining. Since opening their first location in 1983, the chain has become one of the nation's largest restaurant operators, demonstrating how regional food cultures achieve national scale.
These speakers embody different pathways to success. Rosenthal shows how creators leverage media to deepen brand storytelling. Ells demonstrates institutional growth and supply chain innovation. Panda Express founders illustrate how immigrant-led businesses reshape American food culture through accessibility and consistency.
The 2026 CREATE conference attracts owners, operators, and investors hungry for tactical insights and strategic vision. By programming speakers who've successfully navigated