In these times of uncertainty, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) faces the necessity of becoming more adaptable and agile. But still, many organizations remain stuck in a world of disconnected spreadsheets, outdated budgets and unrealistic forecasts.
The FP&A Trends webinar on December 7th was devoted to the topic of the FP&A Analytical Transformation based on Chuy’s restaurant chain case study.
Chuy’s is a network of Tex-Mex restaurants across the 17 states in the USA with a 40-year history. The first Chuy’s restaurant was opened in Austin, Texas, in 1982.
Navigating the many challenges imposed on in-person retail and hospitality, Chuy’s did more than just survive the pandemic. They managed not only to maintain but to improve profitability and growth.
Check out the recording to learn from Natalie Harden, Chuy’s VP of Finance & Investor Relations, about the successful formula of analytical transformation from A to Z. It includes not only the right approach to the technology implementation but also improving their work processes, cash flow, profitability, and even planning for future locations.
Finance Director with over 20 years of experience in Financial reporting (Internal, External, PLC, Board), FP&A, Performance Management, Systems Implementation, Multinational Project managements, Transformation & Change Management, M&A, BPO & SSC.
Experience working in different company sizes ranging from Start-ups to large PLC and PE backed and experience working in various different sectors including manufacturing, retail, pharmaceutical, FMCG & Practice.
Founder member of the London International FP&A board regularly delivering talks on FP&A related subject matters.
Natalie is currently Vice President of Finance and Investor Relations of Chuy’s Holdings, Inc. The Company is a full-service restaurant brand, Chuy’s, is known for its generous portions of made-from-scratch, flavorful Mexican and Tex-Mex inspired dishes in an upbeat, funky, eclectic, somewhat irreverent atmosphere. The Company opened its first restaurant in Austin, Texas in 1982 and has grown its restaurant base to approximately 100 restaurants across 17 states.
Natalie started with the Company in 2017 as Director of Finance and is now Vice President of Finance and Investor Relations. Natalie leads the Company’s financial functions including technical accounting and SEC reporting, corporate finance and tax compliance, treasury as well as financing planning and analysis. Natalie was brought in to build out Financial Planning & Analysis team and manage the Company’s public reporting and SEC compliance. During her tenure Natalie brought in new technologies to allow for efficient budgeting and forecasting as well as business intelligence reporting and data analytics which allowed Chuy’s to make data driven decisions especially during the most uncertain and volatile times of COVID-19 pandemic.
Natalie began her experience with consumer services industry in 2006 during her five-year tenure with Ernst & Young, providing assurance services for several restaurant as well as retail companies. Natalie worked as Director of Finance and later as Vice President of Finance, Americas for Worldwide Clinical Trials, managing all finance and accounting functions for Early Phase Drug Development division as well as global treasury prior to joining Chuy’s Holdings in 2017.
Natalie is a Certified Public Accountant and received her bachelor’s degree in Business with a concentration in Accounting from Southern Methodist University.
Thomas Peff
Director of Product Marketing at Workday
Tom has over 20 years of experience in financial, operational, advisory and principal investment roles.
He graduated from Princeton University with an AB in Economics.
The recording is available for registered users only
+
Subscribe to
FP&A Trends Digest
We will regularly update you on the latest trends and developments in FP&A. Take the opportunity to have articles written by finance thought leaders delivered directly to your inbox; watch compelling webinars; connect with like-minded professionals; and become a part of our global community.
