TAKE YOUR SEAT
Businesses from across the grocery and hospitality industries are coming together at The UK Food & Drink Shows for three days of innovation, inspiration and networking.
Taking place at the NEC Birmingham from 13-15 April, the event is the perfect opportunity for sandwich and food-to-go operators to source products, services and information that could help their businesses grow and flourish.
Once again, UK Food & Drink Shows features a packed programme of expert speakers and inspiring demonstrations on the topics and trends driving the industry – particularly relating to sandwich & FTG. Here are just a few of the discussion panels.
Monday 13 April
Taste the Future: tea and coffee
Four brands showcase innovative products with a chance to win £5000 worth of prizes thanks to Stickybeak. Come and sample all of them – and use the QR code to score across different variables, including taste and packaging.
The Convenience Shopper: everything you need to know
Find out how convenience shopping habits have changed over time, the outlook for the future and how you can capitalise on these trends.
Competing with the biggest food trends of 2026
A live, interactive gameshow exploring the future of the sector.
Where next for plant based?
Retailers examine plant-based – from cutting-edge tech innovation to shifting cultural perceptions.
Coffee leaders: a look to the future
What’s next for the coffee industry? How has consumer behaviour changed? What are the challenges and opportunities on the horizon?

Tuesday 14 April
UK eating out market: consumer and market trends to watch
Identify the who, what, where, when, why and how of the UK out-of-home market and make informed decisions based on robust market intelligence.
QSR leaders: the future of fast food
How to dissect the opportunities and challenges on the horizon, regulatory pressures, the changing needs of consumers and how operators are adapting.
Securing retail space
Retail crime continues to pose significant challenges for businesses – impacting safety, profitability and customer confidence. The panel discuss good practice for managing these issues, including latest advice, guidance and reporting mechanisms.
Wednesday 15 April
Generating footfall at no extra cost
Key steps retailers can take to increase revenue, with testimonials from farm shops that have been successful.
Changing tastes, changing costs: how hospitality menus have evolved
Join Lumina Intelligence and understand the shifting landscape of menus, with a focus on how pricing strategies and offerings have adapted over time.
How the UK food to go market Is changing
Learn how economic pressures, health-conscious trends, sustainability demands and digital innovation are reshaping what’s available, how much it costs and how it's consumed.
Visit foodanddrinkexpo.co.uk to find out more and register free.