Restaurants struggling to understand the new food and beverage sources vying for share of stomach will have a chance to meet the challengers nose-to-nose at a conference built on the premise that channel lines are disappearing.
FARE: A Foodservice Evolution intends to bring together executives from every channel where grab-and-go fare is sold. In addition to quick-service and fast-casual operators, the recruitment targets include the executives of c-store, drugstore and supermarket chains, as well as foodservice directors from the so-called non-commercial market, which includes hospitals, colleges and employee feeding operations.
The educational and networking event is being presented by CSP Business Media, the parent company of Restaurant Business and RestaurantBusinessOnline.com. RB is working with its sister publications, CSP and FoodService Director, to ensure FARE’s content will be relevant to every constituent market.
Agenda topics include controlling food costs; the changing role of limited-time offers; changes in consumers’ grab-and-go preferences; maximizing snack sales; building beverage revenues and profits; and offering more healthful choices.
“If anyone doubts the lines between food service channels are blurring, pull off an exit the next time you’re on the highway,” said Nick Hayman, senior vice president of CSP’s Foodservice Group, which includes RB and FSD. “The same place where you gas up your car will have coffee, sandwiches, donuts, pizza—all the products you once expected from quick-service restaurants. Not that they won’t be there, along with the flock of fast-casual concepts.
“No one can afford to think inside their box any longer,” Hayman continued. “That’s why we’ve recast FARE to be a conference for all grab-and-go sources, from c-stores to the take-out operations of casual dining chains.”
Entrance to FARE is provided without cost. The event is scheduled for June 16-18 at the Gaylord Texan in Dallas. Registration and more information is available here.
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