R200 Conference & Lunch 2025 - Agenda

Conference & Networking Lunch March 2025 Agenda

Our next event will take place in the capital, featuring an impressive lineup of speakers for our upcoming conference. Highlights include Jason Atherton, Founder of The Social Company; XeFang Bai, Managing Director of Din Tai Fung UK; Brian Trollip, CEO of Dishoom; and many more.

Explore the full agenda below to see the speakers and the topics they will be covering:

09:30 - Conferenece Registration

10:00 - Welcome Address from Restaurant Editor, Stefan Chomka

10:05 - Mark Bentley, Business Development Director, Hospitality Data Insights

Mark Bentley will provide an overview of how the UK hospitality sector is performing in different parts of the country and look at what the key characteristics are of businesses are that are performing well.

10:20 - Nick Kleiner, Founder, Sandwich Sandwich

Nick will discuss the extraordinary rise of Sandwich Sandwich from Bristol sandwich shop to social media sensation that is now looking to take on the big boys in the sector, including opening the UK’s ‘biggest sandwich shop’

10:45 - Panel – The Spin-off

How brands are trying to create successful spin-off brands, the panel includes:

Marcel Khan, CEO at Franco Manca, The Real Greek & Super Club Roma
Scott Collins, Founder of MEATliquor & BLOODsports
Tom Barton, Co-Founder of Honest Burgers

11:20 - Panel – International Expansion

A group of operators will discuss the challenges and opportunities of opening restaurants abroad, the panel includes:

Brian Trollip, CEO at Dishoom
Josh Kirk, Commercial Director at JKS
Marcello Distefano, Managing Director at San Carlo
Samyukta Nair, Co-Founder of LSL Capital

11:50 - XueFeng Bai – Managing Director, Din Tai Fung UK

XueFeng Bai will discuss the brand’s new site in Canary Wharf as well as the Taiwanese brand’s future expansion plans in London.

12.15 - Jason Atherton, Founder, The Social Company

The prolific chef and restaurateur will talk about his recent spate of new openings in the capital, including his new flagship Savile Row restaurant Row on 5, and share his views on the capital’s dining scene and what drives his passion to succeed.