Agenda
Confirmed speakers so far:
Karen Jones, Prezzo
In her first speech since becoming executive chair of Prezzo, Karen Jones will discuss the opportunities and challenges facing the Italian casual dining chain and the wider sector.
Jon Knight, Jamie Oliver Restaurant Group
Jamie Oliver Restaurant Group chief executive Jon Knight will give insights into his transformation plan to reconnect the brand with its core audience. He will also discuss new growth avenues, including the landmark partnership with workplace caterer, Aramark, and ongoing opportunities internationally and in travel hubs.
Dennis Deare, Mitchells & Butlers (Miller & Carter)
Dennis Deare, who is heading up the 100-strong Miller & Carter brand at Mitchells & Butlers (M&B), will talk about how it has more than doubled in size over the past two years and spearheaded M&B’s evolution towards a more premium experience. He will also discuss the brand’s international expansion and the wider work M&B is doing around menu psychology and sales / service optimisation.
Zoe Bowley, PizzaExpress
Zoe Bowley, UK managing director at PizzaExpress, will talk about how the brand is staying relevant and listening to its customers, the plans for the future and how to tap into the experiential market. The brand is on track for 7 new openings in 2018, with further restaurants being rolled out across the Welcome Break estate.
John Eckbert, Five Guys
John Eckbert, CEO of Five Guys UK and the man who brought the burger chain to these shores, will look back at the key challenges and discuss how the brand will maintain its rapid expansion as it marks its five-year anniversary in the UK.
The brand has grown to more than 80 sites and is on track to open 20 in 2018 alone. In terms of turnover, Five Guys has reached the top 30 UK casual dining brands as of December 2017 (Source: MCA data).
“One to watch” speaker panel:
• Eve Bugler, Founder and MD, Bababoom
• Rik Campbell, co-founder, Kricket
• Jonathan Recanati, founder of Farmer J
Every year at MCA’s Restaurant Conference we shine a light on those concepts we believe are well placed to make their mark on the sector for years to come.
“New Voices” speaker panel:
• Jo Fleet, MD Flat Iron
• Mark Smith, MD Pho
• Amber Wood, MD Cosy Club at Loungers
• Richard Ferrier, operations director at Brasserie Blanc
As part of the emerging generation of sector leaders, Jo, Mark, Amber and Richard will be sharing some of their career defining moments so far and discussing what the future looks like for the restaurant sector.
Benjamin Calleja, CEO, Livit
Calleja will share insights from Livit’s work with some of the biggest restaurant brands on the planet. He will look at the use of AI in triggering customer behaviour and share learnings from Livit’s test-lab restaurant in Stockholm.
MCA
MCA analysts will present key findings from MCA’s UK Restaurant Market Report 2018, focusing on the trends, challenges and opportunities shaping the restaurant industry. Order the 2017 report or pre-order the 2018 report by emailing enquiries@mca‑insight.com or calling 01293 610343.
Additional speakers to be confirmed shortly.
Full agenda to be published closer to the conference:
9am – 10am: CEO Restaurant Market Summit
(invitation only – please contact Ubaidah.Abowath@mca‑insight.com)
MCA will provide an executive summary of MCA’s UK Restaurant Market Report 2018, which is available to pre‑order today.
From around 9.00m: Registration
10am: The Restaurant Conference 2018 starts
From around 4.30pm: The conference closes, followed by networking drinks
