Speaker Q&A: Hannah McKay, Caffè Nero
Hannah McKay, head of food & beverages UK & Ireland at Caffè Nero, highly recommends lunch!, calling it a key ‘date in the diary for the food-to-go and the coffee shop sector’. She’s back at the show for 2019, hosting a must-attend Keynote in the new Coffee Shop Keynotes Theatre at 2.30pm on Friday 20 September.
Which coffee shop / food-to-go operators have most impressed you this year and why?
I was impressed with the Greggs’ vegan sausage roll launch back in January. The vegan trend is not slowing in momentum and launching a vegan version of their most iconic products with great marketing and press coverage was impressive.
What advice would you give to someone starting out in the industry?
- It is a fantastic industry. Network from early stages in your career as it is a small industry, I still know people from when I first started.
- Never be afraid to ask questions.
- Be resilient — it can be tough, especially when you have worked so hard on a product and you don’t get the feedback you want. Those further tweaks can make all the difference.
In your opinion, what key trends/developments will shape food-to-go in 2020?
I think the key trends are going to be around health, vegan and sustainability.
What does the next 12 months have in store for Caffè Nero?
It is a very exciting time for Caffè Nero especially around food. My presentation will share a key food project.
Can you tell us a bit about your much-anticipated session at lunch! this year? – what are the key takeaways?
My session is called ‘Food as good as our Coffee’. To continue to succeed in an ever competitive market, coffee shops need to ensure all aspects of their business offer a point of difference and are true to the vision of the brand. I will be talking about Caffè Nero’s food journey to make sure the food is as good as the coffee.
Why is innovation so vital to the food-to-go sector?
Consumers needs are ever changing, it is a highly competitive landscape and innovation can set you apart from the competition.
How important is lunch! show to the food-to-go sector?
I think lunch! is great to bring the industry together over a couple of days. It allows you to seek out great new products and catch up with colleagues within the industry.
See Hannah at lunch! 2019
Caffe Nero: Food as Good as Our Coffee: 12.30pm on Friday 20 September in Coffee Shop Keynotes Theatre
