The 40/40 List launched in 2017 as a way to identify the quick serves and fast casuals that have the best shot at becoming the next big thing—the rising stars of the restaurant industry. Starting over each year with a new set of 40 brands, we've highlighted 200 concepts that we think have got what it takes to become the next Chipotle or Shake Shack.

For our fifth edition of the 40/40 List, we'll be sharing interviews all month on the Fast Forward feed with founders and leaders at several of this year's 40/40 brands. Next up is JJ Johnson, an acclaimed chef who opened the rice-bowl fast casual FieldTrip in 2019. JJ joins the podcast to talk about why COVID-19 proved to be a rebirth of sorts for FieldTrip, why restaurants shouldn’t underestimate working-class neighborhoods with people of color, and why the limited-service business was the perfect model for accomplishing his goal of sharing the flavors of the African diaspora.

This episode is brought to you by Perdue Foodservice.

To view this year's 40/40 List, visit QSRmagazine.com/40-40-list

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Have feedback or interview suggestions? Email us at [email protected].