QSR Media UK Conference & Awards 2026
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QSR Media UK Conference & Awards 2026
OVERVIEW QSR Media UK Conference & Awards 2026
New challenges are reshaping the UK quick-service restaurant landscape, but they are also opening fresh routes to growth as brands rethink value, sharpen menus, and invest in the capabilities that protect margins. QSR Media UK’s latest coverage shows operators leaning harder on meal deals and targeted promotions, with meal deals accounting for a larger share of menu items and limited-time offer prices falling as competition intensifies.
Join the industry’s biggest movers and shakers in London to debate what it takes to build the restaurant of the future, today, from loyalty that drives repeat visits to technology that improves speed, accuracy, and consistency across channels.
The event will also celebrate standout performance and innovation through the QSR Media UK Awards, recognising the brands, operators, and individuals shaping what is next for the sector.
To check our awards page, click here.
SPEAKERS/PANELIST
Shannon Goldsmith
Senior Insight Analyst
IGD
Dominic Allport
Strategic Customer Growth Partner
Vypr
Khalil Rehman
Co-Founder
Caprinos
Aoife Dannatt
Managing Director
Chipotle Europe
Jemma Smoker
General Manager of EMEA
Gong cha
James Whitehorn
CFO
KFC
Nick Goldstein
Co-Founder
Sushi Dog
Yoav Baumgarton
Founder
B Bagel
Huw Wardrope
Co-Founder & CEO
Urban Barista
Sohail Ali
Co-Founder
Chaiiwala
David Tester
Head of Marketing
Franco Manca
Lucy Dee
Marketing Director
Taco Bell
Olivia Vachon
Head of Marketing
Eatphoria
Georgia Roads
Global Head of Marketing
Black Sheep Coffee
Annabel Mackie
Marketing Director
Itsu
Maria Vanifatova
CEO & Founder
Meaningful Vision
Tim Circus
Head of Franchise
YouMeSushi
Sultan Thakur
Director of Operations
IRO Sushi
Richard Benton
Chief Operating Officer
Eatphoria
Louise Pilkington
Director of Innovation
Dominos
Rachel Mclnnis
Food & Beverage Innovation Manager
Ole & Steen
EVENT PROGRAMME
subject to change...
8:30 AM - 9:00 AM Networking Registration
9:00 AM - 9:05 AM Welcoming Remarks
9:05 AM - 9:25 AM Speaking Session
9:25 AM - 9:45 AM Economic Update
- Shannon Goldsmith, Senior Insight Analyst, IGD
9:40 AM - 10:00 AM Vypr talk
- Dominic Allport, Strategic Customer Growth Partner, Vypr
10:00 AM - 10:35 AM Leaders Panel
CEOs and top decision-makers unpack how UK QSRs can protect profitability in 2026 as affordability pressures rise and discounting becomes a tougher lever to pull without damaging long-term brand value.
Panellists:
- Khalil Rehman, Co-Founder, Director, Caprinos
- Aoife Dannatt, Managing Director, Chipotle Europe
- Jemma Smoker, General Manager of EMEA, Gong cha
10:35 AM - 11:15 AM MORNING BREAK
11:15 AM - 11:35 AM Fireside Chat with KFC
- James Whitehorn, CFO, KFC
11:35 AM - 12:05 PM Founders Panel
Panellists:
- Nick Goldstein, Co-Founder, Sushi Dog
- Yoav Baumgarton, Founder, B Bagel
- Huw Wardrope, Co-Founder & CEO, Urban Barista
12:05 PM - 12:20 PM Fireside Chat with Chaiiwala
- Sohail Ali, Co-Founder, Chaiiwala
12:20 PM - 12:50 PM Marketing Panel
This panel dives into the new marketing playbook for 2026, where growth is increasingly driven by app ecosystems, sharper value storytelling, and promotions that earn loyalty rather than defaulting to blanket discounts.
Panellists will explore what is working now, from meal-deal strategy and limited-time offer mechanics, to pop-culture partnerships and collectables, plus how brands are using data to personalise rewards and protect trust in pricing
Panellists:
- David Tester, Head of Marketing, Franco Manca
- Lucy Dee, Marketing Director, Taco Bell
- Olivia Vachon, Head of Marketing, Eatphoria
- Georgia Roads, Global Head of Marketing, Black Sheep Coffee
- Annabel Mackie, Marketing Director, Itsu
12:50 PM - 1:50 PM LUNCH BREAK
1:50 PM - 2:35 PM AWARDS PROGRAMME
2:35 PM - 2:50 PM Meaningful Vision Speaking Session
2:50 PM - 3:10 PM Vypr Update
3:10 PM - 3:40 PM Ops Panel
Panellists:
- Tim Circus, Head of Franchise, YouMeSushi
- Sultan Thakur, Director of Operations, IRO Sushi
- Richard Benton, Chief Operating Officer, Eatphoria
- Representative, Chopstix
3:40 PM - 4:10 PM AFTERNOON BREAK
4:10 PM - 4:30 PM Food Innovation Panel
Panellists:
- Louise Pilkington, Director of Innovation, Dominos
- Rachel Mclnnis, Food & Beverage Innovation Manager, Ole & Steen
- Representative, Wasabi
4:30 PM - 4:45 PM Speaking Session
4:45 PM - 4:15 PM Speaking Session
5:15 PM - 5:20 PM Closing Remarks
CONTACT US
For more details, contact:
Wency Padilla
+65 3158 1386
SPEAKERS/PANELIST
Shannon Goldsmith
Senior Insight Analyst
IGD
Dominic Allport
Strategic Customer Growth Partner
Vypr
Khalil Rehman
Co-Founder
Caprinos
Aoife Dannatt
Managing Director
Chipotle Europe
Jemma Smoker
General Manager of EMEA
Gong cha
James Whitehorn
CFO
KFC
Nick Goldstein
Co-Founder
Sushi Dog
Yoav Baumgarton
Founder
B Bagel
Huw Wardrope
Co-Founder & CEO
Urban Barista
Sohail Ali
Co-Founder
Chaiiwala
David Tester
Head of Marketing
Franco Manca
Lucy Dee
Marketing Director
Taco Bell
Olivia Vachon
Head of Marketing
Eatphoria
Georgia Roads
Global Head of Marketing
Black Sheep Coffee
Annabel Mackie
Marketing Director
Itsu
Maria Vanifatova
CEO & Founder
Meaningful Vision
Tim Circus
Head of Franchise
YouMeSushi
Sultan Thakur
Director of Operations
IRO Sushi
Richard Benton
Chief Operating Officer
Eatphoria
Louise Pilkington
Director of Innovation
Dominos
Rachel Mclnnis
Food & Beverage Innovation Manager
Ole & Steen
Event Photos
Awards Highlights
Recent News
Recent News
Chipotle offers free burritos and meals in April...
