5 Things I Learned at the Prosper Forum 2025

This was my second year attending the Prosper Forum, and it continues to be one of the most meaningful gatherings in the restaurant industry. Last year, I wrote about how different this event felt compared to traditional tech and restaurant conferences because Prosper is not just about panels and presentations. It’s about people, purpose, and conversations that matter.

Coming back this year, I was reminded once again that the heart of Prosper lies in its connections. Old friends felt even closer, new friends quickly became trusted peers, and every conversation reinforced the sense of community that makes this event so unique.

Here are five things I learned at Prosper Forum 2025:

1. Leadership is about intentional change making

One of the most impactful sessions for me was The Process of Changemaking, moderated by Don Yaeger. Hearing from Christine Barone (Dutch Bros Coffee), GJ Hart (Hart to Hart Global Advisors), and Todd Penegor (Papa Johns) spoke candidly about revitalizing legacy brands, aligning culture with values, and driving innovation without losing sight of purpose. Their message was clear: meaningful transformation never happens by accident, but it requires clarity, courage, and intentionality.

That idea stayed with me as I thought about how to shape the role of AI in restaurants as a startup. The question isn’t simply what can technology do, but how we can use it to serve people. The panel’s emphasis on culture-first transformation resonated deeply with our own belief in building Palona.

2. Culture is the new competitive advantage

Liz Bohannon’s keynote on The Community Quotient was another highlight. She spoke about designing workplaces that prioritize connection and impact: not as a “nice-to-have,” but as the foundation for long-term resilience. Her stories of leading a global brand reinforced that innovation without culture is ultimately hollow.

Set against today’s shifting labor markets and consumer expectations, her message underscored that culture may be the single most durable advantage an organization can have.

3. Next-gen leadership is already here

The Prosper Accelerator program is something I always look forward to, and this year it introduced the debut of the new Prosper Edge Assessment. Hattie Hill, David Jobe, and the Bisk team walked us through how this tool helps rising leaders better understand their strengths and growth areas.

It was inspiring to see emerging voices given both a platform and a framework for development. Last year at Prosper Forum, I was just beginning my own journey with Palona AI. Coming back this year and seeing these accelerators reminded me how quickly things can grow when you’re surrounded by the right community.

4. Scaling requires clarity and purpose

The session on Leading at Scale brought together Carl Loredo (Pizza Hut), Mike Manzo (Jersey Mike’s), and Steve Sturm (Firebird). Their discussion, moderated by Jeffrey Kiesel, centered on how operational consistency, culture, and brand identity must move in lockstep as companies expand.

That message resonated deeply with me at Palona: scaling is not simply about doing more, it’s about doing it with clarity and purpose. Whether you’re running thousands of restaurants or building new AI products, focus and purpose are what turn expansion into sustainable growth.

5. Networking that feels authentic

Prosper continues to stand out in how it designs space for genuine connection. From the oceanside receptions to the strolling networking dinner hosted by the state restaurant associations, every moment felt curated to foster real conversations.

I was able to reconnect with friends from last year, deepen new relationships, and form partnerships I know will last well beyond this week. As I shared on LinkedIn, Prosper gave me not just insights, but people. And that, more than anything, is what makes it so special.

Looking Ahead

Two years in a row, Prosper Forum has given me more than just ideas; it’s given me energy, gratitude, and community. The friendships and partnerships that come out of this event are proof that when the right people gather together, magic happens.

As Palona expands deeper into restaurant AI industry from voice AI agents that help operators capture every call to our new vision AI pilot (already building a waitlist!), I’m grateful to be learning and building alongside this community.

Until next year, Prosper. Thank you for once again raising the bar.

Maria Zhang

CEO, Palona.ai