The Annual Leadership Conference (ALC) is more than just a date on the calendar. It’s the center of gravity for who we are as a company. At F&P Group, ALC isn’t about checking boxes or reciting KPIs. It’s a space to reconnect with purpose, reflect on where we’ve been, and realign on where we’re going.
This year’s theme, “Together We Thrive,” captured exactly that: a moment to pause and recognize that real and lasting growth only happens when we do it together.
What ALC Is Really About
ALC brings together the people who make F&P possible: restaurant leadership, support team, the leadership team. It’s not about hierarchy, it’s about shared vision.
Lensda Lozano, Chief People and Brand Officer, set the tone with three clear goals:
- Connect: as individuals, across teams and locations
- Inspire: through real stories, not scripts
- Align: on a shared direction, from the frontlines to the boardroom
And that’s exactly what happened. From the first speaker to the final reflections, this year’s ALC reminded us that leadership isn’t about titles, it’s about action, service, and heart.
“It’s about the simple pleasure of seeing a smile on a guest’s face.”
Bob Lozano, CEO
A Moment to Remember Where It All Began
Before we talk about growth, we talk about roots.
This year, ALC brought us back to 1987, to a worn-down Dairy Queen in Pharr, Texas. That’s where F&P started, not with a strategy deck, but with faith, grit, and a vision. ALC gave us space to revisit those origins and remember the values that still drive us:
Work Hard. Have Fun. Watch Each Other’s Backs.
This isn’t nostalgia. It’s discipline. It’s how we ensure that as we scale (new brands, new markets, new media) we never lose the culture that brought us here.
Every Store Visit Is a Leadership Moment
ALC reframed something we all know deep down: what happens in our restaurants matters.
Yes, we make sandwiches. But we also make moments. We create spaces where people celebrate, connect, and find comfort. That’s not small, it’s leadership in action.
This year’s ALC challenged every manager and leader in the room to turn routine into impact. From the 100th day of school celebrations to donations to Driscoll Children’s Hospital, everything we do outside our four walls starts with what we do inside them.
F&P Media: ALC’s Message, Amplified
One of the most energizing moments at ALC was the unveiling of F&P Media, our new platform to tell our story with intention and creativity. It’s not about promotion. It’s about inspiration.
F&P Media:
- Celebrates internal wins across all stores
- Brings visibility to local community impact
- Powers Life Currency, a podcast that shares real lessons from the industry
F&P Media reflects what ALC stands for: alignment, storytelling, and purpose-driven momentum.
“Our 2025 business plan is a reflection of the impact we want to have, it’s about creating more of those moments of connection, more of those smiles, more of those positive experiences, it’s about building something bigger than ourselves, one sandwich, one interaction, one day at a time”
Bob Lozano, CEO
The Power of Shared Purpose
This wasn’t a conference of big egos or polished pitches. It was a space for truth. For leaders to say what’s working, what’s not, and how we lift each other up.
“With faith, support, and persistence, we can thrive together.”
Genaro Alvarez III, VP of Technology and digital Strategy
“Finding your purpose is part of your identity.”
Johnny Sanchez, Director of F&P Dairy Queen
When we sat in that room together, team members from every region, role, and background, we weren’t just sharing updates. We were sharing ownership.
And that was the final challenge from our Founder and now Advisory Board Member, Robert L. Lozano:
“Act like you’re the owner.”
What We Take With Us
As the conference ended, the real work began. Not in the form of new tasks, but renewed clarity.
ALC reminded us that leadership is service, and service begins with showing up fully for your team, your guests, and your community. We don’t lead from the top down. We lead from beside.
Because F&P Group isn’t just about food. Or real estate. Or media.
It’s about people. It’s about building something bigger than any one of us, together.
The Legacy of ALC
Every year, ALC leaves us a little different than it found us. More grounded. More inspired. More connected. It’s not about hype, it’s about remembering why we started and where we’re going.
Together We Thrive isn’t a theme. It’s a mindset. One that guides us, pushes us, and keeps us centered on what matters most.
We don’t gather just to talk, we gather to lead.
One sandwich. One story. One smile at a time.
