2025 Agenda
GDK (German Doner Kebab): growth beyond 150 UK sites
Simon Wallis, CEO GDK
Wallis will speak about the meteoric growth of the brand as it nears its 150th UK store opening, and how it is taking kebabs out from the shadows, through brand collaborations, flexible formats and product innovation.
Wingstop: innovating, winning customers and building great teams : the formula to exceptional growth in the UK
Q&A with Chris Sherriff, CEO, Wingstop UK
Wingstop’s expansion has continued to gather pace in the UK, with the brand nearing the 60-site mark, thanks to the UK consumer’s unwavering desire for flavour. In this Q&A, CEO Chris Sherriff will share how the combination of innovation and great teams have also been a key part of Wingstop’s successful formula for growth and its ability to win new customers.
WatchHouse: fast growth, big plans
Roland Horne, founder and CEO
WatchHouse is redefining what it means to be a coffee chain, with its premium offer now boasting 18 UK outlets and a single site in New York. In December 2023 a £7.9m funding round was the highest non-tech equity raise in UK crowdfunding history.
In this presentation, Roland will share plans to grow WatchHouse towards an ambitious target of 500 outlets globally by 2033.
Insight: Lumina Intelligence on opportunities, trends and consumer behaviour
Flora Zwolinski, senior insight manager, Lumina Intelligence
Flora will exclusively preview Lumina’s brand-new Food to Go Market Report, presenting the latest consumer insights, including the impact of the current economic climate on food to go spend and purchasing behaviours.
Chipotle: Fresh food and culinary techniques fuelling UK growth
Jacob Sumner, Director of European Operations
In less than two years, Chipotle Mexican Grill UK, the fast-casual restaurant chain that serves burritos, bowls, tacos, quesadillas, and salads made with real ingredients, has nearly doubled its footprint in the UK, recently reaching its 20th location milestone in the country. In this presentation, Jacob Sumner, Director, European Operations at Chipotle, will share the brand’s journey in the UK so far, how it sets itself apart from competitors with its commitment to fresh food and real culinary techniques, and why it’s confident the UK offers great long-term growth potential.
Panel: Property - growing brands, going places
With inflation cooling and consumer confidence gradually creeping up, there are plenty of opportunities for growth when it comes to food on the move. In this panel we are joined by a collection of high growth brands, with ambitious opening targets, to discuss how they are expanding at scale, opportunities and barriers to new sites, flexible formats and the appeal of franchising as a route to growth.
Panellists:
- Mat Finch, managing director, Cornish Bakery
- Tim Circus, head of franchise, YouMeSushi
- Nick Ridley, property & store development director, Costa Coffee
Panel: Digital evolution – delivery, loyalty and tech
Technology is enabling businesses to reach customers through an increasing number of channels, with operators’ relationships with customers evolving from being merely transactional to emotional too. In this panel, we explore the latest approaches from brands when it comes to digital marketing and loyalty, how technology is enabling the growth of digital channels such as delivery and collection, and how it’s benefiting front of house of operations
Panellists:
- Graham Hollinshead, UK managing director, Ole & Steen
- Volodymyr Martynov, co-founder, Honi Poke
Panel: The premiumisation of lunch
With office workers concentrating their lunchtime spend mid-week, average spend per transaction has been increasing, as customers turn their backs on bland salads and sandwiches in favour of premium, freshly-made, bowls and baps. In this panel session we speak to several growing concepts who are winning share of the lunchtime occasion through a focus on quality, choice, convenience and innovative ingredients.
Panellists:
- Nick Philpot, founder, Yolk
- Florian de Chezelles, co-founder, The Salad Project
- Nick Kleiner, founder, Sandwich Sandwich