QSR Media Asia Tabsquare Conference & Awards 2025

Jim Bitticks is the President and Chief Operating Officer of Dave’s Hot Chicken. He oversees the day-to-day operation of the company with direct oversight over operations, training, procurement, construction, marketing, and technology. Jim joined the Dave’s team when there were just four restaurants open and has helped grow the brand to over 260 locations across the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and the Middle East. In addition, Jim is a franchisee of Dave’s Hot Chicken with four locations currently open in the Inland Empire of Southern California.

Prior to his current role, Jim was the Chief Restaurant Officer and EVP of Operations, Training, and Construction for Blaze Pizza, and oversaw the successful growth of that brand from two restaurants to three hundred seventy-two restaurants before making the move to Dave’s in 2020.

His journey kicked off in 2016 with the humble beginnings of a food truck operation right by the Han River in Seoul, Korea. Fast forward to today, and GOPIZZA boasts an impressive 200 outlets across seven countries and substantial funding of 50 million USD, firmly establishing itself as the most valuable Food & Beverage startup in South Korea.

Jay's accomplishments have garnered recognition on a global scale. In 2019, Forbes Asia acknowledged his achievements by naming him one of the "30 Most Influential CEOs Under 30." The Financial Times recognized GOPIZZA as one of the rapidly emerging companies in the Asia Pacific region in 2021 and 2022. He was asked to join an economic delegation to the United States alongside the President of Korea in 2023. This remarkable experience led him to the President's Office, where he showcased GOPIZZA's innovative technology and personally served pizza to distinguished figures, including top conglomerate leaders and the President himself.

Andrew, the Co-Founder of Momos, combines his passion for food with a sharp financial acumen honed over years in high-stakes environments. Before co-founding Momos, he played a key role in structuring over $9 billion in financings at Grab, where he gained deep insights into scaling businesses in dynamic markets. 

With roots in Silicon Valley and a global perspective from his time across the US and Asia, Andrew brings a unique blend of tech-driven innovation and strategic expertise to transforming multi-location brands. A self-professed foodie, he channels his love for great cuisine into redefining customer experiences and operational excellence.

Adrien is the Co-Founder and CEO of the SaladStop! Group. Having grown up in the hospitality industry in Asia, Adrien and his father felt a need for healthier food options in Singapore in 2009. This escalated into a vision of bringing something innovative, fresh and tasty to increasingly discerning and health conscious people. Today, the SaladStop! Group is a multi-brand operator with over 70 outlets across Singapore, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Philippines, Japan, Korea, Indonesia and Thailand.

Adrien is a Cornell University Graduate, and worked as a consultant in the hospitality industry for many years. Adrien most recently held the position of Vice- President - Development and Acquisitions with Kingdom Hotel Investments, spearheading all investment opportunities for the group in China.

Yau is the Chief Executive Officer for Baskin Robbins in Malaysia and Singapore. He has spent more than 15 years in the tech industry with Google and Facebook, and was most recently the Chief Marketing and Digital Officer at Tealive. His passion straddles transformative branding, digitalisation of operations, and building a strong innovation DNA. 

David Beal is the Group Chief Marketing Officer and Head of Global Digital Marketing at Jollibee Group, overseeing marketing strategies for 19 brands across 32 countries. He drives global brand growth, digital innovation, product experience, analytics, insights, and design, while also enhancing customer engagement and building centers of excellence in key marketing functions. With a global career spanning Starbucks and leading agencies, David brings deep expertise in brand development and digital transformation.

She was appointed Chief Marketing Officer Burger King, for the Asia Pacific region in February 2022. Passionate in leading brands and marketing function capabilities, her current focus is infusing the Burger King brand with purpose, building engaging marketing campaigns, and improving product quality.

Prior to joining Restaurant Brands International, parent company of Burger King, Daphne spent 17 years with Procter and Gamble, most recently as Vice president in Singapore. She held various roles within the company an became a business leader across design and commercial assignments. She lived and worked in developing and leading ASEAN markets for several product categories and brands, such as Downy, Ariel or Febreze.

During these years, she took equal pride in building brands and developing global award-winning campaigns, as she did in building teams, relationships and campaigns that resonate. She has developed vast experiences including end to end commercial operations and multiple new brands’ entries into new markets.

Daphne graduated from the National University of Singapore. Athlete since school days, Daphne now spends her weekend mornings cycling, spinning, while spending most of her free time cooking and baking for her 3 lovely kids.

Sameer Kaushik, Vice President of Business Development, APAC, is a highly experienced business executive with a 12+ year track record of success in the e-commerce, travel, and B2C marketplace sectors.  He possesses strong expertise in P&L management, commercial leadership, new market launches, and new venture creation.  

His APAC experience spans Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and India, and includes 8+ years in regional and country management roles.  Sameer is known for his adaptability, proactivity, and commitment to achieving results in fast-paced environments.

Justin Halim is Regional Head, Managed Enterprise Business at Grab, a team leading Grab’s partnerships with its largest regional clients and agencies; and growth of our GrabAds and Grab for Business.
Prior to Grab, Justin was Expert Partner and Head of Bain & Company’s APAC Modern Marketing and E-Commerce practice, FRWD@Bain - helps clients build and quickly scale their marketing capabilities – bridging the gap between brand, marketing, strategy and execution. Justin also previously held SEA and APAC leadership roles at Facebook/Meta, LinkedIn, and at WPP across Sydney, London and Singapore.

Steven currently serves as Senior Vice President & Managing Director APAC for Go To Foods International (Formerly Focus Brands International). Steven is responsible for all aspects of the business under a multi-brand portfolio in the APAC region, with more than 25 years of broad-based business experience in business & brand development, operations management and sales & marketing across multiple markets and disciplines in the food & beverage industry; successful in developing, championing, and implementing growth tactics to form today’s operational footprint in the APAC region.

Prior to Go To Foods, he served as Area Vice President - APAC for Hard Rock International, where he was responsible for Hard Rock Cafe & Retail Rock Shop’s Strategic Development, Operations and Overall Performance with expanded responsibilities in hotel development opportunities in APAC.

Prior to Hard Rock, Steven served as the Head of Development for Bloomin’ Brands International which had over 1500 restaurants globally, including Outback Steakhouse, Bonefish Grill, Carrabba’s Italian Grill and Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse.  He was responsible for a broad-based end-to-end market development strategy, including brand positioning and development, real estate strategy, site selection, design, and construction across Asia. 

99 Pancakes is India's premier quick-service restaurant (QSR) chain, specializing in an extensive range of delectable pancakes, desserts, and beverages. Known for its innovative flavors and commitment to quality, 99 Pancakes has become a beloved destination for dessert lovers across the country. The brand continues to expand its menu offerings, bringing unique and delightful experiences to its customers every day.

Anshul Gupta is the Co-Founder of TabSquare, driving its AI-powered digital transformation of the F&B industry for over 12 years. He leads the company’s strategic vision, overseeing finances, product marketing, partnerships, and data analytics.

With over two decades of experience in scaling businesses, Anshul previously spent eight years at ITC Limited, spearheading marketing and business expansion. He holds an MBA from INSEAD and IIM Calcutta, along with an Engineering degree from NIT Bhopal. A recognized leader in digital innovation, he is shaping the future of smart restaurant solutions.

I have worked for over three decades in the global food and beverage and Quick Service Restaurant sector, working and owning multi-brand food companies from being franchisee to franchisor and many things in between.

Over the years I have come to understand the importance of data and analytics to improve profitability set strategy and improve operational efficiency.

Currently my responsibility is to manage, run and grow Texas Chicken in APAC and EMEA for Cajun Operating Company the owner of Church's Chicken and Texas Chicken.

He has over 20 years’ experience across multiple roles in innovation, commercial and marketing, working with some of the biggest global foodservice brands. His inquisitive mind for anthropology and cultural trends, passion for foodservice, and extensive travels, make him a sought-after expert in his field, and a strong supporter of Kerry’s ambition to provide sustainable food and beverage solutions to more than 2 billion consumers by 2030.

His reputation extends to him being a notable champion of Kerry’s work in diversity and inclusion. In 2021, he was named Top 100 OUTstanding Future Leader of the Year by Yahoo Finance and Involve. He also received the 2023 Kerry Inspiring People Award for Courage, and sits on the Advisory Council and Steering Committee Member for the Partnership for Global LGBT Equality as the Kerry Group representative, in partnership with the World Economic Forum and UNHCR. Having previously lived in UK, Hong Kong and the Philippines, he is now based in Singapore.

Roxanne joined Circana in April 2022. In her current role as Senior Manager at Circana’s foodservice team, she works as a lead analyst developing insights and thought leadership for key QSR clients and partners. Prior to Circana, Roxanne spent over 6 years as a journalist and production editor at a B2B publishing company covering a range of sectors in the Asian region, including healthcare, insurance, and banking & finance. She then worked as a stakeholder relations manager at a bank’s corporate communications team for a couple of years before obtaining her MBA from Macquarie University in 2021.

Founder & CEO

Baba Rafi Enterprise