Learn, launch and level up
your food business
FOOD BIZ CON
March 4th and 5th, 2026
Olathe, KS
Small Food Business Pitch Contest on March 6th, 2026.
Registration for 2026 is now open!
Registration is made free by a generous grant from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.
Register here for DAY 1 and for DAY 2 separately or register in the menu bar. We look forward to seeing you!
2026 Keynote Speakers
Chef Jasper Mirabile, Jr., owner of Jasper's Restaurant and host of "Live from Jasper's Kitchen"
Jackie Nguyen, founder of
Keynote panel lead by Jill Silva, James Beard Award-winning food editor & writer and co-owner of Silva + Stern PR
About the
Food Biz Con
8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
March 4th - 5th, 2026
Pitch Contest on March 6th, 2026
K State Olathe - 22201 W Innovation Drive, Olathe, KS 66061
Whether you are currently growing a food business or have an amazing idea for one, you’ll find something valuable at the 5th annual 2026 Food Business Conference on March 4th - 5th in Olathe, KS. There will be a Small Food Business Pitch Contest, Friday, Marth 6th.
This free, two-day conference offers topics related to mobile food businesses, manufacturing, restaurants and agriculture. It also will connect food entrepreneurs with support organizations, coaches and information. A variety of sessions, workshops and networking opportunities will equip you with the tools to strengthen your business.
Whether you are currently open for business or still have a food business dream, we have what you need to learn, launch and level up your food business!
Programs and Videos
2026 Agenda and Sessions
Wednesday, March 4th
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8:30 am
Coffee and Networking featuring Grounded Mobile Coffee
9:00 am Keynote Sessions
1) Keynote Presentation with Jackie Nguyen, Owner of Cafe Cà Phê
2) El Camino del Emprendedor Gastronómico: De Sueños a la Realidad
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10:15 am
Welcome to K-State Olathe Campus with Ben Wolf, Dean
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10:45 am Sessions
1) Panel of Grocery Buyers & Outlets
2) Legal Considerations for Food Businesses
3) Developing a Basic Business Plan
4) Navegando el Panorama Legal del Emprendimiento Alimentario
12:00 pm Lunch
Featuring Queen Pins food truck
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1:30 pm Keynote Sessions
1) Stories of KC Food Businesses on the Rise with Jill Silva
2) Pasos Esenciales para Obtener la Licencia de Tu Negocio de Comida
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3:00 pm Sessions
1) Funding Options Panel
2) Food Truck Panel
3) Look Before You Leap
4) Marketing Tu Negocio de Alimentos
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4:30 pm Sessions
1) Branding Workshop
2) Food Truck 16 Week Startup Guide
3) How to Manage Work-Life Balance While Running a Business
4) Digitalizando Tu Negocio de Comida
Thursday, March 5th
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8:30 am
Coffee and Networking featuring Grounded Mobile Coffee
9:00 am Keynote Session
Jasper's Sicily: Growing up in a family and preserving the authenticity of Italian cuisine in Kansas City with Chef Jasper, Owner of Jasper's ​​​​
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10:45 am Sessions
1) Defining Sales Processes and Measuring Selling Activity for Food Businesses
2) How to Successfully Launch Your Food Service Business
3) Cook Up Your Perfect Marketing Plan: A Food Biz Workshop
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12:00 pm Lunch
Featuring 451 Pizza food truck
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1:30 pm Sessions
1) What's Your Food Product Prices?
2) Fresh, Healthy, & Local: Sourcing From Local Farms
3) How to Hire and Retain Great Employees Panel
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3:00 pm Sessions
1) Using Data For Your Business
2) Navigating Your Cash Flow
3) Google Business Profile
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4:30 pm Sessions
1) Food Product Businesses 101
2) Developing a Social Media Mindset
3) The Power of Capital
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Past Recorded Sessions
2025 Food Biz Con Recap
Panel of Grocery Buyers and Outlets
Pop-up Food Businesses
How to Hire and Retain Employees
How to Source Local Ingredients
The Work-Life Balance of Your Food Business
Sponsors
This conference is presented in partnership with the Ennovation Center, Kansas Center for Sustainable Agriculture and Alternative Crops, Kansas State University, Kansas State University–Olathe Campus, KCSourceLink, MCPL Culinary Kitchens, Missouri SBDC at University of Missouri Kansas City, and Square One Small Business Services by MCPL.
This event is made possible in part by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.
