QSR Media Asia Tabsquare Conference & Awards 2025

*Subject to change

8:30 AM - 9:00 AM  Networking Registration

9:00 AM - 9:05 AM  Welcoming Remarks - Tim Charlton, Publisher, Charlton Media Group

9:05 AM - 9:25 AM  Dave’s Hot Chicken: Parking Lot Pop Up to Franchise Phenomenon 

Get the inside scoop on how Dave’s Hot Chicken went from a scrappy parking lot pop-up in 2017 to a red-hot, international franchise concept with nearly 300 locations across the US, Canada, the UK, and the Middle East today. Fueled by mind blowing hot chicken, 4 million Instagram and TikTok followers, and celebrity investors like Usher, Samuel L. Jackson, and Drake, Dave’s Hot Chicken has taken the franchising world by storm. Named the fastest growing restaurant chain in America in 2023, Dave's has opened over 250 restaurants since 2021, and expects to open an additional 100 this year alone.

• Jim Bitticks, President & COO, Dave's Hot Chicken

9:25 AM - 9:45 AM  Economist report 
This session will provide a deep dive into how Asia's evolving economic conditions are reshaping the quick-service restaurant (QSR) industry. The session aims to explore how factors like inflation, shifts in consumer spending, and currency fluctuations impact everything from cost structures to pricing strategies.

9:45 AM - 10:05 AM  Retail-Restaurant Hybrid Model: New Way of Hyper Growth in the Fast Changing New World Order
The hybrid model of retail and restaurant of GOPIZZA is revolutionizing the F&B industry by breaking traditional boundaries and enabling seamless integration of foodservice into everyday spaces like convenience stores, gas stations, and supermarkets. This innovative approach, rooted in various food technologies, not only redefines accessibility but also sets a new standard for efficiency and scalability, shaping the future of global food consumption patterns.

• Jay Lim, Global CEO & Founder, GOPIZZA

10:05 AM - 10:20 AM  AI in Restaurants: Revolutionary or Hype?
AI is often touted as a game-changer for multi-location restaurants, promising to revolutionize operations, customer engagement, and personalized experiences. But how much of this potential is being realized today? 

As adoption grows, the question remains: what challenges and opportunities do restaurants face in harnessing AI effectively? This session explores the practicality of AI adoption, its impact on customer experience and operations, and how it could shape the future of the industry

• Andrew Liu, Co-founder, Momos

10:20 AM - 10:35 AM The cost of sustainability: How SaladStop! made net zero pay off 
SaladStop! launched its first Net-Zero store at CapitaSpring in 2022 to achieve maximum reduction in embodied and operational carbon emissions by identifying and employing emission reduction opportunities. The end goal was to see this format across its network of stores by 2030. In this session, the brand will discuss its net-zero journey, the challenges and successes encountered along the way, and the financial and operational benefits of implementing sustainable practices.

• Adrien Desbaillets, CEO & Co-founder , SaladStop!

10:35 AM - 11:05 Leaders Panel
This panel brings together top leaders in the quick-service and fast-casual restaurant industry to discuss the biggest challenges restaurant operators will face in 2025 and the strategies needed for success. Panelists will explore evolving consumer expectations, advancements in technology, and the pursuit of operational excellence, sharing insights to help operators navigate and thrive in a dynamic market.

• Joseph Hsu, APAC Region President, Subway
• Phil Reed, President, Flynn Global ANZ (Wendy's, Pizza Hut)
• Scott Meneilly, CEO, Minor DKL Food Group [The Coffee Club, Coffee Hit & Veneziano Coffee Roasters] 
• Yau Chuan Ng, CEO, Baskin-Robbins Malaysia & Singapore

11:05 PM - 11:20 PM  Morning Break

11:20 AM - 11:35 AM  Tabsquare Speaking session

• Representative, Tabsquare

11:35 AM - 11:55 AM   GoTo Foods Speaking session

• Steven Yang, SVP & Managing Director APAC, GoTo Foods [Auntie Anne's, Carvel, Cinnabon, Jamba, McAlister's Deli, Moe's Southwest Grill, Schlotzsky's®]

11:55 AM - 12:10 PM  Trends report
This session explores the latest trends shaping the quick-service and fast-casual restaurant industries, offering insights into the forces driving growth and innovation. Attendees will learn about shifting consumer preferences in service, menu, and dining experience.

12:10 PM - 12:25 PM  Kerry Speaking session

• Representative, Kerry

12:25 PM - 12:55 PM  Founders and Entrepreneurs panel 
The Founders and Entrepreneurs Panel will showcase the visionaries behind thriving QSR brands, capturing the entrepreneurial spirit that drives innovation and success. Attendees will gain energising insights as these leaders share their journeys, reveal how they navigated challenges, and seized opportunities, offering invaluable inspiration for aspiring industry trailblazers.

Joining this panel is Vikesh Shah, CEO of 99 Pancakes, India’s rising dessert chain which held a Series A funding round to fuel its expansion across India's tier 1 cities, and Bevin Desker, co-founder & CEO of Har Har Chicken, a Singaporean takeaway fried chicken brand backed by VC firm East Ventures, which counts a Michelin-starred chef amongst its co-founders. More to come...

• Vikesh Shah, Founder & CEO, 99 Pancakes
• Bevin Desker, Co-Founder & CEO, Har Har Chicken

12:55 PM - 1:55 PM  Lunch Break

1:55 PM - 2:55 PM  Awards Programme

2:55 PM - 3:15 PM  Church's Texas Chicken speaking session

• Jaye Sinclair, Senior Vice President Strategic Initiatives and Execution, Church's Texas Chicken

3:15 PM - 3:30 PM  Is AI the Future of Pricing for QSRs? 
AI is becoming an increasingly important tool for QSR leaders across brands; however we often see confusion on what it can and can’t do. By breaking the question down into 3 parts we aim to provide clarity on where AI can support your price strategy. Firstly, by addressing what is the future of pricing, then where can AI support and closing by identifying where else AI can support sales and transaction growth. 

• Winnie Ong, Partner, Simon-Kucher

3:30 PM - 3:45 PM  Case Study: Loyalty Programme
Dive into the key elements that make loyalty programs successful and sustainable in today’s competitive landscape. This session will discuss practical strategies to help QSR operators strengthen customer loyalty.

3:45 PM - 4:00 PM  Afternoon Break

4:00 PM - 4:15 PM  Paradox Speaking Session

• Representative, Paradox

4:15 PM - 4:45 PM  Technology and Innovation panel

4:45 PM - 6:00 PM  Cocktail Party 

more to come...