Agenda
From 9.30am – Arrivals & registration
10.00am – What makes a successful food to go concept?
Branding expert Ian Dunstall will explore the core characteristics for a successful food to go concept and give his view on the strongest propositions in the market, as well as charting how some have lost their way.
10.25am – Food to go offerings in forecourts
John Diviney, CEO, Welcome Break, will discuss Applegreen’s food-to-go offering, both across the existing forecourt business, and its evolution following the acquisition of motorway services operator Welcome Break. He will address the growth it is seeing from the segment, the brands that operate within the estate, and how the relationship works.
10.45am – Addressing sustainability concerns
Andrew Stephen, CEO, Sustainable Restaurant Association, will be speaking about how food-to-go operators can respond to consumer demand for more sustainable practices, including a reduction in single-use plastics and meat.
11.05am – Break
11.30am – Learnings from Leon’s expansion in the US
Glenn Edwards, managing director (USA), LEON, will share the story of LEON’s expansion into the US, incorporating the differing trends in the US food to go market compared to the UK, what lessons Leon has learnt so far, and future plans for growth.
11.45am – Industry panel
Leading industry figures will discuss the current issues affecting food to go, including delivery, the demand for convenience and the ever-changing world of technology, and look ahead to what could shape the sector over the next 12 months and beyond.
Mark Lilley, founder and CEO, Abokado
Jon Lake, managing director, Chopstix Group
Paul Hopper, founder, HOP Vietnamese
Andy Hulbert, head of corporate development – franchise, Warren’s Bakery
12.15pm – Insights from allergen labelling trials at Pret A Manger
Tim Smith, senior advisor at Pret A Manger, as well as former CEO of the Food Standards Agency and group quality director at Tesco, will be speaking about the ingredient labelling trials and food safety review he recently initiated at Pret A Manger. He will discuss the insights gained from the pilot programme, and what the wider industry and government can learn from the findings.
12.35pm – The challenges of allergen labelling
Michael Powner, Charles Russell Speechlys, will discuss the challenges presented by allergen labelling requirements and where the public debate around the issue is likely to go next.
12.55pm – Lunch
1.55pm – How food to go consumers make purchasing decisions
Jill Livesey, managing director, HIM and MCA Insights, will reveal the science of how prospective consumers’ eyes are drawn to certain products and how food to go brands can maximise the very brief window in which they make a decision on where and what to purchase.
2.10pm – YO! Sushi’s global ascendancy
Richard Hodgson, CEO, YO! Sushi, will address the evolution of the company into a global multi-brand operator.
2.30pm – Concepts to watch panel
Hear from the founders of up-and-coming food to go concepts MCA believe will shape the market in years to come. They will discuss their journey so far, what makes them different and their future growth plans:
Celia Farrar, founder, Polu Poke, the Hawaiian Pokē bowls concept
Neelofar Khan, co-founder, Zabardast, the indian wrap operator
Adria Wu, founder, Maple&Co, a London-based healthy eating concept
3.00pm – Break
3.20pm – Food to go stateside
Eric Dzwonczyk, managing director New York, AlixPartners US office, will explore the emerging trends and operators in food to go Stateside and what parallels can be drawn for the UK market.
3.40pm – EAT.’s journey for success
Andrew Walker, CEO, EAT., will talk about the turnaround of EAT under his stewardship, incorporating the challenges, opportunities and changes he has implemented to drive future success.
4.00pm – Close & networking drinks
The next Food to go Conference will take place on 6 February 2019. Tickets are now available to purchase online or from Ubaidah Abowath on 01293 846606 or foodtogo@mca‑insight.com.
BOOK YOUR TICKETS
The 2019 edition of the “UK Food-to-go market report” from MCA will be available in February 2019. It will give quality market intelligence to operators and suppliers seeking to advance their position in the food to go market. For pricing information or to pre-order a copy, please call 020 7611 0405 or email insight.enquiries@mca-insight.com.
2018 report details >>
