Speakers

Patrick Renna is a highly accomplished financial and operational executive with over 25 years of leadership experience across the restaurant and hospitality industry. He currently serves as Chief Financial Officer at Proof of the Pudding, a leading catering and foodservice company based in Atlanta, Georgia, where he oversees financial strategy, operational performance, and long-term business growth.

Patrick’s career spans a wide range of leadership roles in both emerging and established brands. Prior to joining Proof of the Pudding, he served as President of BurgerFi and as Chief Financial Officer at Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza. He previously held dual roles as President and CFO at Wahlburgers, where he was instrumental in scaling the brand nationally. Before that, he served as CEO of Boloco, following earlier executive roles at the company as CFO and COO.

Earlier in his career, Patrick held CFO roles at Sebastian’s Catering and Cafes and at Fresh City. He also served as both President and CFO at FiRE + iCE, where he helped guide the company’s strategic growth. His career began in the accounting department at large Chili’s Grill & Bar franchisee, ultimately becoming Assistant Controller at the company following the acquisition of Bertucci’s.

Patrick holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Franklin Pierce University and both an MBA and a Master’s in Accounting from the University of Massachusetts Boston. He is widely recognized for his strategic vision, operational expertise, and people-first leadership approach. His contributions to the industry have been acknowledged with multiple honors: in 2020, Nation’s Restaurant News named him one of the most influential restaurant executives in the country, and he was named to Fast Casual’s “Top 25 Executives” in both 2019 and 2022. Earlier in his career, he was selected to Boston Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” list in 2004, recognizing his impact as a rising leader in the region.

Patrick is passionate about building strong teams, scaling operations, and delivering lasting value through disciplined, forward-thinking leadership.