QBG’s Ann Johnson on Leveraging AI to Drive Profitability and Operational Excellence
DALLAS, TX – Quality Brand Group (QBG) is proud to announce that our CEO, Ann Johnson, recently joined a distinguished panel of industry leaders at the 2026 Restaurant Leadership Conference (RLC) in Scottsdale, AZ. As one of the most signficant events in the hospitality industry, RLC served as the backdrop for a critical discussion on the transformative power of artificial intelligence in the restaurant sector. The session, hosted by Fourth and titled "Beyond the Hype: How Restaurants are Improving Profitability with AI," featured insights from executive leadership at Brinker and Fogo de Chão.
At QBG, our 2026 vision is rooted in being an "authentically great company." During the panel, Ann highlighted how QBG is using intelligent solutions to solve real-world operational challenges. And as mentioned in her reflections earlier this year, "Winning in 2026 requires us to earn the love of our team, our guests, and our shareholders.” When asked during the panel about how AI helps QBG become a winning operator, she answered "AI isn't just about technology for technology's sake; it's a lever we consider pulling to optimize store-level profitability so we can reinvest back into our people and our communities."
This commitment to innovation aligns directly with our "One Company: One Way" framework, standardizing our approach to excellence across multiple brands - including Dunkin', Baskin Robbins and Buffalo Wild Wings GO. By integrating AI into our management systems, we believe QBG can accelerate the development of our talent factory and ensure we remain a leader in the large-scale, multi-market QSR space.
The Road Ahead
As the journey to greatness continues, QBG remains committed to choosing action over motion. We will continue to explore and implement new technology - from AI-optimized invoice processing to drone delivery testing - to ensure we are providing the best possible environment for our employees and the best possible experience for our guests.
Click here to watch the complete session
For more information about Dunkin’, visit www.DunkinDonuts.com.
About Quality Brand Group (QBG)
Quality Brand Group is a premier multi-unit franchise operator with a portfolio of 180+ quick-service restaurants across Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Texas and Florida. As one of the largest Dunkin’ operators in the country and an actively expanding footprint in Buffalo Wild Wings GO locations, QBG is committed to providing remarkable hospitality and long-term sustainable growth. Learn more at qbgusa.com.
Media Contact
Ashleigh Griffith, Senior Marketing Manager (Ashleigh.griffith@qbdunkin.com)