Book your tickets to MCA’s Restaurant Conference on 13 November

Book your place at MCA’s Restaurant Conference 2025 and hear from the leaders KFC UK & Ireland, Azzurri Group, Fulham Shore, Bill’s, The Evolv Collection, JKS and Wahaca.

Taking place in only two weeks’ time, on Thursday 13 November, at the Ham Yard Hotel London, the full day programme brings together a who’s who of the sector, with delegates to learn about the strategies that are working for operators, the landscape of the sector and the innovation taking place from emerging concepts.

The line-up for this year’s programme is now complete and includes headline sessions from Rob Swain, general manager at KFC UK&I, who will be speaking about the brand’s £1.49bn investment, why it’s confident in its growth prospects and how it continues to innovate in a competitive market.

Steve Holmes, chief executive at Azzurri Group, will talk about the group’s recent acquisitions – Dave’s Hot Chicken and Boojum – and how the group’s expanded business mix is enabling the group to move quicker in fast growing areas of the restaurant sector.

Martin Williams, chief executive at The Evolv Collection – formerly D&D London – will discuss his vision for The Evolv Collection, under the ownership of Calveton and Breal Capital, including the potential to expand its Bluebird, Sartoria and Chop House brands.

Bill’s MD Tom James will share the restaurant brand’s five-year journey of change, the changes that have driven significant growth so far, and what’s to come between now and 2027.

Banana Tree’s managing director Kate Wilton will share how the ethos and passion of the founder-led business is being retained as it embarks on the next stage of its growth journey, and why owner Big Table Group believes it has the potential to become a truly national brand.

And Des Gunewardena, founder & CEO, D3 Collective, will discuss his career to date, from his experience leading D&D London to his latest venture.

The programme also features a panel on leadership in turbulent times, featuring UKHospitality chair Kate Nicholls, Wahaca MD Gemma Glasson, Fulham Shore CEO Marcel Khan, and Laura Irving, MD at JKS Restaurants.

Culture and leadership coach, and former chief growth and culture officer at Hawksmoor Ceri Gott will host a panel on the benefits of a core focus on people on business performance, featuring Caravan, Dishoom and Pizza Pilgrims; while Domino’s, Itsu, Bella Italia and UberEats UK&I will take part in a panel discussion on delivering digital brand experiences.

There will also be exclusive insight sessions from Lumina Intelligence and AlixPartners, and a special innovation showcase featuring Brother Marcus, Breadstall and Xi Home Dumplings Bay.

To book tickets for the event and to find out more, please click here.