McDonald's Executive to Keynote Women in Restaurant Leadership Summit
Tabassum Zalotrawala, a senior executive at McDonald's, will deliver the opening keynote at the Women in Restaurant Leadership Together Summit in Charleston, scheduled for February 2026.
The Women in Restaurant Leadership (WiRL) Together Summit has announced that Tabassum Zalotrawala, Senior Vice President of Global Restaurant Design and U.S. Chief Development Officer at McDonald's, will be the opening keynote speaker for its 2026 event. The summit is set to take place on February 25-26, 2026, at the Charleston Marriott.
Zalotrawala oversees new restaurant development and the optimization of over 13,000 McDonald's restaurants in the U.S. She is responsible for setting the company's five-year strategic growth plan for U.S. development and managing the Global Restaurant Design Strategy and Standards. Her role involves collaborating across various markets and disciplines to meet operational needs and enhance guest experiences.
Before joining McDonald's, Zalotrawala held leadership positions at Chipotle Mexican Grill, Panda Restaurant Group, and Arby's, where she gained experience in architecture, real estate, construction, facilities, sourcing, sustainability, and asset management. She is a LEED Accredited Professional and a Board Leadership Fellow with the National Association of Corporate Directors. Additionally, she serves on several industry and corporate boards, including the International Council of Shopping Centers and DiamondRock Hospitality Company.
The WiRL Together Summit, now in its third year, serves as a gathering for women leaders in the restaurant industry. The event has expanded from its initial format as a single cocktail party in 2023 to a multi-day conference featuring speakers, educational sessions, and networking opportunities. The inaugural summit in 2024, held in Nashville, attracted 300 industry leaders, while the 2025 event saw attendance increase to 500 despite adverse weather conditions.
Registration for the 2026 WiRL Together Summit is currently open, and the event agenda will be updated in the coming weeks. The summit aims to provide a platform for women in the restaurant industry to connect, learn, and share insights.
