9.00am-10.00am: Registration and coffee

10.00am-10.30am: Karl Chessell, CGA by NIQ’s director, talks about what the data says about the current sector landscape, the growth drivers and what is really resonating with consumers.

10.30am-11.00am: Meg Farren, managing director of KFC UK, discusses changing the perception of the fast-food operator – from becoming more transparent with its supply chain and more sustainable, and how the circa £2bn business plans to open an additional 500 sites in the next 10 years. 

11.00am-11.20am: Andy Waugh, co-founder of Sixes Social Cricket, discusses the creation of the competitive socialising concept, its growth in the UK, launching in the US, its international ambitions, franchising and being backed by the England Cricket captain.

11.20am-11.40am: Alex Large and Tasos Gaitanos, co-founders of Brother Marcus, the eastern Mediterranean restaurant concept, talk about expanding in the capital and building a support team to help it maintain its high standards as it grows. 

11.40am-12.00pm: Éadaoin McDonagh, managing director of Lina Stores, discusses how the restaurant and deli concept is leading a new generation of pasta-led operators in redefining the category.

12.00pm-1.00pm: Lunch

1.00pm-1.30pm: Steve Holmes, chief executive of the Azzurri Group, discusses the group’s evolution into a hospitality investment platform, the continued growth of its core brands ASK Italian and Zizzi, the next stage in Coco di Mama’s journey and the potential of Boojum. 

1.30pm-2.00pm: Neil Sebba, managing director of Tossed, the healthy eating brand, talks about buying a brand that you love, and rebuilding it in the face of a pandemic. 

2.00pm-2.30pm: Simon Mitchell, chief executive of Kerb, discusses expanding both the food hall and catering parts of the business in the UK and internationally, what sets its market concept apart, how it nurtures food entrepreneurs and what the future holds for the street food sector.

2.30pm-3.00pm: Coffee Break

3.00pm-3.30pm: Given that the sector is about to experience a new wave of M&A activity, David Roberts, leading hospitality sector corporate lawyer from global law firm CMS, explains best practice for founders and backers who are considering selling their hospitality business or raising further investment.

3.30pm-4.00pm: Satnam Leihal, chief executive of Boparan Restaurant Group, talks to Propel’s Mark Wingett about the company’s portfolio of brands, including the continued growth of Slim Chickens, the repurposing of Giraffe as international travel hub specialist, the rejuvenation of Carluccio’s, Fishworksand Cinnamon Club, and how the business continues to seek new opportunities for growth.

4.00pm-4.30pm: Roxy Leisure’s co-founder Matt Jones, and managing directors Ben Warren and Colin Sadler discusses how the business is standing out in the increasingly crowded competitive socialising market, how the group’s King Pins concept is looking to redefine family entertainment and how they see the category evolving. 

4.30pm-5.00pm: Marcel Khan, chief executive of Fulham Shore, the Franco Manca and The Real Greek operator, talks about earning consumer loyalty “one meal at a time”, why expansion for the two brands will be a “marathon and not a sprint”, and looking to continue to create value for customers.