2026 Agenda - more to be announced

Moto: Optimising AI and data to drive performance

Arslan Sharif chief digital and information officer

Moto, through its multi-brand franchise partnerships, serves 120 million customers a year. How does the motorway services operator use tech to navigate a dizzying array of data points? In this session Arslan will reveal how Moto utilises AI and tech to ease the customer journey, drive sales performance and support teams.

Popeyes: the past, the present and the future

David Carey chief technology officer

David Carey shares how he’s built a tech stack to support expansion at scale, and how the business is now looking to unify data in platforms such as its own-build kiosks, app and kitchen management systems to improve operational performance and guest experience. From a groundbreaking approach to AI in its drive-thrus to real time restaurant data informing guest experience, he’ll explain how Popeyes’ digital-first approach informs everything from restaurant operations, to customer experience, data and marketing.

Panel: AI - what’s new and what’s coming down the line?

This panel features specialists who have transitioned from proof of concept to proof of performance. Sharing roadmaps as well as learnings about tech stack evolution, they’ll look, too at the bigger opportunities to come from the new wave of disruptive AI technologies.

• Timothy Love director of digital, Burger King UK
• Tommy Giraux head of restaurant systems, Honest Burgers
• William Connors international retail systems manager, Starbucks

Panel: AI without the hype: driving real operational change

Behind the AI buzz lies a more grounded reality. How do we drive change and deliver ROI, without losing the human touch that defines the sector? Our panel will focus on technology to support teams, guests and business insight and share results they’ve achieved so far. In a sector where tech promises so much, the panel will address the importance of taking teams on the journey.

• Damon Conn growth & business development director, WatchHouse
• Jatin Chandwani chief product and growth officer, Yum! Brands
• Oliver Rodbard COO, Creams
• Nick Fryer CPTO, Dojo

Panel: tech – what’s needed, what’s too much?

The panel examines the fundamentals for hospitality businesses of building a system from the ground up. Our speakers share what elements of an optimised tech stack look like, how much is too much, and how to avoid obsolescence.

• Branden Alexander chief commercial officer, Fireaway
• Debbie Thomas head of IT, Ottolenghi Group

Panel: the evolution of loyalty

Loyalty schemes have become more sophisticated since they first emerged in the sector, with food-to-go, QSR and restaurants all offering a range of rewards, offers and forms of engagement. With some schemes having proved too generous and difficult to deliver, we explore what’s taking their place, how businesses are incentivising take-up and how they are using these tools to gather data about their customers.

• Elizabeth (Biff) Stancombe, head of marketing, Marugame Udon
• Simon Gaske CMO, Sticks’n’Sushi
• Lucy Dee UK marketing director, Taco Bell

Panel: building hype to engage audiences and drive performance

In this session our panellists share the tactics and the tech driving excitement, engagement and success. Which channels best reach key audiences? What’s the creative approach? How is data converted to footfall and delivery orders? All this and more from the marketers behind some of the most talked about brands in the sector.

• Keyana Mohammadi head of marketing, Dave’s Hot Chicken UK & Ireland
• Juliette Keyte marketing director, Red Engine
• Josh Kleiner head of marketing, Sandwich Sandwich

Panel: how to capitalise on the data goldmine

Operators gather a host of consumer data, across bookings, feedback, loyalty and wi-fi, but which brands are integrating and maximising this treasure trove of information? This panel explores tangible examples of how data can be usefully activated across marketing and operations: to enhance guest experience, to drive visit frequency and footfall, and to grow retention.

• Ewa Turney senior product manager digital transformation, Mitchells and Butlers
• Sheri Williamson commercial and marketing director, Bill’s
• Annabel Mackie marketing director, itsu
• Carey Benn CEO and co-founder, Guestwise