Consumers want fresh, convenient food, and they want it fast. This drives a need to improve your operational efficiency and meet increased demand with the highest-quality food. The secret to superior cooking consistency and quality with unmatched throughput is in Structured Air Technology. This innovation offers four ovens in one – so you can cook food the way it’s meant to be cooked and perfect your dishes. In this session, learn the latest consumer trends and how the newest cooking technology can allow you to reimagine your menu and grow your business.

This session will cover the state of the beverages throughout the world, and what is happening more specifically on an innovation front.  Many operators are using beverages as their points of differentiation, as consumers are lured by new, and exciting flavors, formats and combinations.  Supported by insights from Technomic research conducted in North America, emerging beverages inspired by global inspirations will be highlighted during the presentation, and later served by IFFCO at the IFFCO Dinner on 12th November 2018 at Café Artois.

Global F&B franchises have established their mark in the Gulf and have influenced the franchise industry in the Middle East.  However, very few brands have extended their reach to the emerging markets in the Middle East, such as Iraq, which present a new haven for global F&B brands.  Much of the stalled development has been based on unreliable data and forecasts on the economic, legal, and security environment.  Join a panel of franchise experts, current top franchisees, and successful food operators to uncover the market potential the franchise market in Iraq. The panel will provide up to date market overview, forecasts, consumer trends, and address how to overcome challenges to market entry.  The session will also provide an exclusive opportunity to hear from current food operators and franchisees about the untapped potential in entering the next franchise center of the Middle East. 

Creating and maintaining great customer experiences can be a challenge for any operator, especially those who are focused on scaling their brand.

Delivering these great customer experiences is a direct function of the operating procedures you design for your restaurants. Not surprisingly, designing procedures and initiatives is a lot easier than rolling-out and enforcing them, especially for brands experiencing rapid growth!

Join this panel discussion to learn how restaurant owner & operator, Citarasaprima (CRP Group), which has grown from just 20 locations in 2015 to over 200 today, ensures operational excellence while experiencing hyper-growth.

We’ll explore how their use of technology allows them to tackle the critical “last mile” challenge to achieve operational excellence across locations and create great customer experiences.

Looking to enter or expand in the U.S., Canada or Mexico? This session will provide the necessary background and up-to-date intelligence for any restaurant concept planning to enter or expand within North America. The session is designed to give you, the operator, insight into the North American foodservice market, including the current size of the market, trends in foodservice, who the successful restaurant operators are and who to watch. Additionally, learn what issues restaurant brands face when entering the U.S. related to the marketplace, distribution and local governments. After gaining a foundational understanding, walk away with an invaluable framework for your expansion strategy toolkit.

While our hospitality industry boasts of its people working 24*7 in the service, at the same time there is another reality which is not much talked about. Its the theft that takes place at our restaurants. Pilferage and theft that happen in the restaurants is the global phenomenon and is not only  one of the main reasons restaurants shut down, It also hampers the growth and scalability of the restaurant at large.

We are going to talk about how it can be curbed using the smartness of data by applying machine learning and artificial intelligence to it.

There are case studies where we have seen pilferage percentage as high as 25% dropping down to as low as 4 %. We are going to talk about these not so famous case studies delivering deeper insights into strengthening your bottom line.

For the second year, Coca-Cola is proud to present the State of the Global Foodservice Industry. Attendees will have an exclusive look at the latest and most trusted global market foodservice data, generated and presented by Technomic, the world’s leading foodservice research firm. During this session, Technomic experts Joe Pawlak and David Henkes will reveal authoritative industry sales data and overarching trends that span the globe and are fueling industry growth. Rankings of the Top 150 global restaurant chains will be presented along with fact-based insight about the factors driving success among industry leaders. The latest consumer research spanning the globe will be shared. Learn the macro forces shaping future food and beverage usage and what drives global consumers to restaurants and what they expect from the experience.

The future looks bright for our foodservice industry. We need to attract inspired young people to build their careers in kitchens, yet we’re struggling to keep the talent we have from leaving and far fewer people are entering the profession. Unilever Food Solutions will run an expert panel discussion to address the rise of this staffing crisis which many chains are now facing. Harry Brouwer, CEO Unilever Food Solutions, together with leading chefs, industry influencers and chain operators, will openly share different and personal perspectives on the problem and announce a major initiative to help solve this key industry issue.

The Global Restaurant Leadership Distinction Awards are awarded to those restaurant brands that excel in the global marketplace through Innovation, Industry Service, Partnership and Expansion.  The Innovation category recognizes international success by crossing boundaries, staying ahead of consumer demands and enhancing operations, and GRLC is pleased to recognize LEON (UK).  The Service award honors the brands that give back to their communities, the industry and even the planet itself; the 2018 award goes to Alghanim Industries (Kuwait).  The Partnership designation highlights an operator who successfully developed a brand that originated in another country, adapted it to the marketplace and made it a success; this Partnership award honors Jollibee Foods Corporation (Philippines). Expansion recognizes growth - increase in sales, unit count and average unit volume over the prior year and tracking into the current year.  This year’s winner is Costa Coffee (UK).  Join us as we celebrate these international stars! 

Muhtar Kent, chairman of The Coca-Cola Company, will talk about the enduring power of partnership, key consumer trends impacting the global marketplace, and the large-scale opportunities he sees for growth and greater value creation in the worldwide restaurant market. His speech will be followed by a one-on-one discussion of these and other topics with Dawn Sweeney, president and CEO of the National Restaurant Association.

GRLC's opening night celebration is the perfect transition from an afternoon of valuable learnings to an evening of relaxed networking.  Join fellow guests and new colleagues for fabulous food and beverages; this is the ideal opportunity to launch your GRLC journey.