MCA’s annual Restaurant Conference returns with a packed programme of speakers from some of the biggest brands in the sector, including Popeyes, Prezzo, Gaucho, Pizza Pilgrims and Five Guys.
The full agenda for the 2026 conference – which will be held at the Ham Yard Hotel in London on Thursday 5 November – is close to being finalised, with tickets available to purchase now.
Headline speakers confirmed so far include Tom Crowley, CEO, Popeyes UK&I; James Brown, CEO, Brava Hospitality Group; Baton Berisha, CEO, Gaucho Restaurants; Gavin Smith, CEO, Pizza Pilgrims; Markus Thesleff, founder and CEO, Thesleff Group; David Page, chairman, Bow Street Group; and Anna Marie-Mason, divisional director - premium, Mitchells & Butlers.
The programme will also feature a leaders’ panel which will considers how decisionmakers are navigating these cost pressures, investing in their brands, building resilience, and identifying the next opportunities for expansion. Speakers include Steve Holmes, CEO, Azzurri Group; John Eckbert, CEO, Five Guys and Lucy Worth, CEO, Mowgli.
We also explore the potential for premium UK restaurant brands to expand overseas in a special panel featuring chief executive, Permanently Unique; Samyukta Nair, CEO and creative director, LSL Capital; and Dan Purnell, chief executive, Permanently Unique.
Alongside a full programme of Q&As, insight presentations and panels, there will also be dedicated time set aside for you to network with your peers.
New sessions will be added to the agenda here soon.
To find out more about the event and to book tickets, please visit the conference website here.
