LUNCH! NORTH ANNOUNCES FULL KEYNOTE LINE-UP FOR 2026
GAIL’s, Knoops, Shake Shack and Chaiiwala Among the Brands Leading Two Days of Keynotes, Panels and Interviews
lunch! NORTH, has unveiled its 2026 keynote and panel programme, bringing together influential operators, suppliers and industry experts from across the café, coffee shop and food-to-go sectors – created to equip industry professionals with the insight and strategies needed to drive growth.
Returning to Manchester Central on 10–11th March, the trade show builds on a strong debut with a programme curated by the team behind London’s lunch! show. Sponsored by Uber Eats, the event will focus on the practical solutions, partnerships and market trends shaping the future of the Northern café and food-to-go market.
Day One: Tuesday 10th March
The Keynote Theatre opens with The Future Of Food-To-Go: How Will Britain Eat, delivered by Simon Stenning, visionary Founder of FutureFoodservice. Drawing on the latest Future Foodservice report, Simon will explore how lunch and food-to-go habits are evolving, highlighting key trends, shifting diets, and the growing role of snacking.
William Gordon-Harris, Executive Chairman & CEO of Knoops – on track to exceed £20m in revenue this year – joins for an exclusive interview to discuss all things premium chocolate, the evolving food-to-go space, and Knoops’ ambitious plans for global expansion.
The Operations Leaders Panel will feature Antony Baker (Auntie Anne’s), Will McIntosh (92 Degrees Group), and Charlie Warren (SushiDog), who will discuss what’s happening on the ground – from scaling teams and maintaining quality to keeping pace with ever-rising customer expectations.
The How To Open New Sites panel, will bring together Emily Bagshaw (Tortilla), Nick Garnell (Gourmet Coffee Bar & Kitchen), and Savannah Roqaa (The Savvy Baker) discuss the essentials of successful expansion, from location strategy to operational scalability.
Coffee lovers won’t want to miss the Coffee Shop Leaders Panel featuring Matt Farrell (Bold Street Coffee), Holly Kragiopoulos (North Star Coffee Roasters), and Chris Shelmerdine (The Coffee House). Together, they will reveal what’s driving success in today’s competitive coffee market.
Rounding off day one, The Menu Innovation Panel will feature Martin Godward (Chopstix), Mitch Renshaw (Sqew), and Jessica Symes (Gourmet Coffee Bar & Kitchen), exploring innovative menu concepts, emerging customer preferences, and bold ideas shaping future menus.
Day Two: Wednesday 11th March
Day two begins with Food-To-Go Success In 2026 And Beyond: The Global Perspective, led by Gavin Rothwell, Director of Food Futures Insights, who will spotlight winning concepts from across Europe and beyond and what UK operators can learn from them.
Nick Ayerst, Managing Director of GAIL’s, will join for an exclusive interview, sharing the secrets behind building one of Britain’s most beloved bakery brands. With revenues hitting £220m, up 23% year-on-year, and 36 new shops opened in the past year alone, GAIL’s growth story is one of the most compelling in food-to-go.
The Marketing Leaders Panel will bring together Marnie Ahmed (Archie’s), Annabel Mackie (itsu), Sabrina Ruia (Rhode Island Coffee), and Olivia Vachon (Wraps & Wings) to share insider perspectives on cutting-edge campaign strategies, customer engagement tactics, and how to build brand loyalty in a competitive landscape.
Hannah Munns, UK Trading Director for Retail & Hospitality at bp, will take the stage to present More Than A Petrol Station: Redefining Convenience On The Road, exploring how evolving customer behaviour and innovation in food and drink are reshaping forecourt retail.
The Food-To-Go Leaders Panel, will feature Sohail Ali (Chaiiwala), Richard Franks (Shake Shack), whose first northern England restaurant opens at Manchester’s Trafford Centre this March, and Mark Murphy (Burgerism), fresh from opening the brand’s first dine-in restaurant in Manchester this month. The trio will explore their growth stories and share the strategies driving success in today’s evolving food-to-go landscape.
Closing the event, Claudio Ribeiro, Owner & Managing Director of Federal Café & Bar, will sit down for an exclusive interview to share his journey building the brand and reveal expansion plans for scaling an independent business successfully.
Now in its second year, lunch! NORTH continues to grow as a key fixture in the industry calendar, delivering tailored content and opportunities for operators in the North. Taking place alongside Northern Restaurant & Bar (NRB), the show is a must-attend for anyone in the café, coffee shop, or food-to-go industry.
With over 400 exhibitors showcasing the latest in food, drink and technology, the show promises a unique blend of networking, inspiration and innovation for hospitality professionals. The lunch! NORTH and NRB trade shows return on 10th–11th March at Manchester Central. Free tickets for trade professionals working in hospitality are available at the event website.
