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About this event

lunch! (Food-to-Go, Retail & Coffee Shop Event) — Event Description

Dates: 16–17 September 2026

Venue: Excel

City & Country: London, United Kingdom

lunch! is a trade-only event built for the food-to-go, retail, and coffee shop industry—bringing the ecosystem together under one roof. The show is designed to help operators source new products, discover practical innovation, and strengthen business relationships across cafés, coffee shops, and food-to-go brands.

Across the two-day programme, attendees can explore new food and drink opportunities, learn about the latest technology and operational solutions, and evaluate modern approaches to sustainable packaging. The event blends commercial discovery with industry learning and active networking, supported by a free seminar programme delivered across three key theatres.

1) Who attends (buyers / attendees)

lunch! is positioned as a trade event with a strong focus on decision-makers and operators from the food-to-go sector. Based on the official “Who visits?” brand list, attendees commonly include leaders and teams from:

  • Café, coffee shop, and quick-service restaurant groups
  • Food-to-go chains and retail food operators
  • Catering and contract food service organisations (e.g., large foodservice groups)
  • Procurement and supply stakeholders who evaluate new suppliers, products, and services
  • Industry professionals seeking networking and innovation across the food-to-go value chain

The event also attracts a range of supplier types—so meetings can happen between operators who buy and teams representing brands and solutions that support menu development, supply, store operations, and customer experience.

2) Where the show is happening + attendee geographic origin

The event takes place at Excel in London, United Kingdom.

While the official page confirms the venue and London location, the supplied content does not provide a breakdown of attendee geographic origin (for example, the share coming from different UK regions or international markets). As a result, we can reliably state the show location but cannot accurately quantify attendee origins from the provided information.

3) Audience reach (local / national / global)

The official description frames lunch! as a dedicated industry gathering for the food-to-go sector, and it benefits from the ability to connect operators with suppliers in one place. However, the provided website text does not explicitly specify whether the audience is primarily local, national, or global.

What we can confirm from the event positioning is that it is built for industry-wide participation within food-to-go, retail, and coffee—meaning the audience is designed to represent multiple segments of the sector rather than a single local community.

4) Sample buyer company names (buyers only) + websites

Below are examples of buyer/operator brands shown in the event’s official “Who visits?” list. These are included as potential buyer targets for attendee-based research and outreach planning (exact buyer titles will vary by organisation).

Priority Company Website Best Title to Target Why this is a Good Buyer Fit
1 PRET A MANGER https://www.pret.com/ Procurement / Supply Chain Lead; Food-to-Go Category Buyer; Head of Product Innovation Direct industry participation and strong alignment with food-to-go sourcing, menu innovation, and operational purchasing needs.
2 ITSU https://itsu.com/ Commercial Director; Buying & Merchandising Manager; Operations Procurement Lead Category fit for food-to-go operators focused on new product discovery and supplier evaluation.
3 WATCHHOUSE https://www.watchhouse.co.uk/ Managing Director; Partnerships Lead; Procurement & Supplier Manager Likely decision-maker presence given its quote in the official testimonials and role as an operator brand.
4 MARUGAME UDON EUROPE https://www.marugameudon.eu/ General Manager; Procurement & Supplier Lead; Development Director Food-to-go relevance with a clear need to evaluate suppliers, ingredients, and operational solutions.
5 M&S FOOD https://www.marksandspencer.com/ Category Buyer; Food Procurement Manager; Grocery/Prepared Foods Innovation Lead Large-scale retail food operator fit; strong alignment to sourcing, innovation, and partner introductions.
6 AMAZON https://www.amazon.co.uk/ Operations Procurement; Marketplace/Delivery Partnerships (Food & Retail); Supply Chain Program Manager Supports food-to-go and delivery ecosystem interactions; typically valuable for partnerships and procurement-led discussions.
7 ARAMARK https://www.aramark.co.uk/ Procurement Director; Catering Services Manager; Food Services Operations Lead Contract catering organisations often evaluate menu, sourcing, and service solutions—strong industry overlap.
8 BAXTERSTOREY https://www.baxterstorey.com/ Procurement Lead; Account Director; Head of Food Strategy High likelihood of buyer engagement through food service operations and supplier sourcing needs.
9 BENUGO https://www.benugo.com/ Operations Director; Procurement Manager; Partnerships & Supply Lead Food-to-go operator brand with strong alignment to supplier discovery and innovation events.
10 BIDFOOD https://www.bidfood.co.uk/ Customer Solutions Director; B2B Sales Lead; Strategic Partnerships Manager Participates as a key industry player; strong fit for B2B discussions where supply capabilities meet operator demand.
11 BLACK SHEEP https://www.blacksheepcoffee.com/ Procurement Manager; Supply Chain Lead; Brand Operations Director Coffee-focused operator branding suggests strong participation in supplier, sourcing, and innovation activities.
12 Blank Street Coffee https://blankstreet.com/ Commercial Lead; Procurement & Partnerships Manager; Operations Buyer High relevance for coffee shop innovation, supplier evaluation, and product development collaborations.
13 BURGER KING https://www.burgerking.co.uk/ Procurement Manager; Food Category Buyer; Supply Chain Program Lead Large, multi-site food-to-go operator with consistent interest in supplier and operational improvements.
14 Caffè Nero https://www.caffenero.com/ Category Buyer; Procurement Lead; Coffee & Beverage Innovation Manager Strong coffee shop alignment with clear reasons to attend for product, supplier, and technology discovery.
15 CHAIIWALA Operations & Purchasing Manager; Head of Food & Beverage Procurement Included in the official “Who visits?” list; website link not provided in the supplied text.

Note: The “Who visits?” list in the supplied content appears truncated mid-name near the end (e.g., “Cornish Ba…”). For any brands where the official website/domain is not present in the supplied text, we have left the field blank to avoid assumptions.

5) Job profiles, industries & event type

lunch! is best described as a trade event serving the food-to-go, retail food, and coffee shop sector. It combines:

  • Supplier discovery (food and drink sourcing)
  • Technology and operational innovation
  • Sustainable packaging and modern packaging solutions
  • Networking with industry peers
  • Live seminars across three free key theatres

Buyer-style job profiles that typically match this event format include:

  • Procurement / purchasing leaders (food, beverage, ingredients, packaging)
  • Category buyers and supply chain managers
  • Food innovation / menu development roles
  • Operations directors and store operations leaders
  • Partnerships, commercial, and supplier relationship managers

6) Estimated attendance (expected total footfall)

The supplied official text confirms key features (e.g., “300+ suppliers” and “three FREE keynote theatres”), but it does not provide an estimated attendance figure or total footfall. Therefore, we cannot reliably state an attendance number from the provided information.

7) Key focus areas & buyer engagement

The event is explicitly designed to cover the practical needs of operators and innovators in food-to-go. Key focus areas include:

  • Food and drink discovery to source new offerings
  • Latest technology relevant to running and growing food-to-go businesses
  • Sustainable packaging options and improvements
  • Industry education through live seminar sessions in three free keynote theatres
  • Unrivalled networking with peers and suppliers

Buyer engagement is strengthened by the show’s clear operator orientation—attendees come to evaluate suppliers and solutions that help them take their businesses to the next level, whether that’s improving product variety, strengthening operational processes, or adopting sustainability-focused packaging.

8) Client-product fit question (to identify the best buyers)

To provide the best buyer targeting recommendations for your specific client needs, we ask for the client’s website so we can match their offering to the most relevant operator types attending lunch!.

Please share the client website. Once we review it, we will shortlist the most suitable buyer companies and the most relevant job profiles from the types of attendees we see at the show (food-to-go operators, coffee shop groups, retail food and foodservice organisations).

9) Recommended industry targeting (based on the event’s sector)

For industry mapping purposes, lunch! most strongly aligns with the following Apollo-style industries (as category guidance):

  • Restaurants
  • Food & Beverages
  • Retail
  • Hospitality
  • Events Services (for any event partners/sponsors and related services)

If the client offering is specifically focused on packaging, kitchen equipment, coffee/food innovation, or supplier enablement, we can further refine the industry set to match the product category more precisely after reviewing the client’s website.

Summary

lunch! (16–17 September 2026, Excel London) is a trade-only industry gathering that brings together food-to-go operators, coffee shop brands, and supplier communities. It combines supplier discovery (with 300+ suppliers), technology and sustainable packaging trends, and learning via free seminar theatres—making it a high-relevance event for business-to-business outreach focused on improving menus, sourcing, operations, and innovation in the food-to-go ecosystem.

Data sheet

lunch! – Event Attendee & Buyer Profile Analysis
Event Date: 16–17 September 2026  |   Location: Excel London, London, United Kingdom  |   Event Status: Upcoming  |   Research Date: 2 July 2026
Event Overview
Event Name lunch!
Event Date 16–17 September 2026
Event Status Upcoming
Venue Excel London
City London
State / Region Greater London
Country United Kingdom
Organizer Diversified Communications UK
Official Event Website lunchshow.co.uk
Event Type Trade show / B2B exhibition
Primary Category Food & Beverages
Secondary Applicable Categories Hospitality; Retail; Packing & Packaging; Logistics & Transportation
Audience Reach National with international supplier and brand participation
Estimated Attendance / Expected Footfall Attendance figure not publicly confirmed by the organizer. Official site states “300+ suppliers.”
Attendance Data Reliability Medium: official show positioning and visitor/supplier messaging are confirmed; exact attendance is not publicly disclosed.
Main Purpose of Event To connect food-to-go, café, coffee shop, and retail buyers with suppliers of food, drink, technology, services, and sustainable packaging.
About the Event

lunch! is a specialist B2B trade show focused on the food-to-go, retail, café, and coffee shop sectors. The official website positions the event as a place to source food and drink innovation, discover technology, and explore sustainable packaging while networking with operators and suppliers across the out-of-home food market.

The event matters because it sits at the intersection of product sourcing, menu innovation, equipment, packaging, and operational purchasing. It is especially relevant to buyers responsible for store operations, menu development, category management, procurement, merchandising, and supplier selection across foodservice, coffee, convenience, and takeaway-led concepts.

1. Who Attends: Buyers / Attendees
Buyer / Attendee Segment Typical Organizations Buying Role or Influence Relevance to Exhibitors / Suppliers
Food-to-go operators Cafés, grab-and-go chains, sandwich brands, quick-service concepts Product selection, menu development, supplier approval High-value buyers for food, beverages, and operational solutions
Coffee shop operators Independent and multi-site coffee businesses Procurement, category selection, brand partnerships Strong fit for beverage, bakery, equipment, and packaging suppliers
Convenience retail buyers Forecourts, convenience chains, neighborhood retail formats Assortment planning, cold chain, promotions, sourcing Relevant for ready-to-eat products, drinks, and packaging
Procurement and sourcing teams Foodservice groups, hospitality operators, retail chains Supplier shortlisting, commercial negotiation, tendering Core audience for vendor discovery and lead generation
Category managers / merchandisers Retail, foodservice, travel retail, and multi-site operators Range building, product launches, margin optimization Ideal for innovation-led pitch meetings and new product introductions
Operations leaders Regional ops, store operations, estates, and service teams Implementation, rollout, service standards, supplier performance Useful for equipment, packaging, logistics, and service providers
Development and innovation teams Brand development, product innovation, culinary R&D Concept development, pilot approvals, innovation scouting Strong fit for startups, new ingredients, and technology vendors
Hospitality buyers Hotels, contract caterers, leisure operators, venue operators Foodservice sourcing, vendor onboarding, menu execution Relevant for on-the-go food, drinks, and packaging solutions
Distributors and wholesalers Foodservice distributors, wholesale groups, cash & carry operators Range expansion, supplier negotiations, channel distribution High relevance for manufacturers seeking route-to-market partners
Media, analysts, and consultants Industry media, advisory firms, market researchers Trend amplification, benchmarking, market visibility Useful for reputation building and thought leadership
2. Event Location and Attendee Geographic Origin
Geographic Area Likely Attendee Origin Buyer Concentration Notes
Host city: London Very high High London is a dense hub for foodservice, hospitality, retail, and procurement decision-makers.
Host region: Greater London / South East Very high High Nearby chains, distributors, and head offices are likely to attend for efficient day-trip participation.
Other UK business hubs High High Expected from Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and major regional chains.
National UK reach High High The show is positioned as a UK-wide food-to-go industry event.
International suppliers / brands Moderate Moderate Likely from Europe and other export-oriented food and packaging markets.
Trade corridor: UK foodservice and retail supply chain High High Strong alignment with distributor, importer, and wholesale buying teams.
3. Audience Reach
Reach Level Assessment Explanation
National Primary classification Official messaging targets UK food-to-go, retail, and coffee shop decision-makers across the country.
Secondary: International Supportive reach Brand and supplier participation can extend beyond the UK, especially in food, packaging, and equipment supply chains.
4. Sample Buyer Companies and Websites
Buyer Company / Organization Buyer Type Why It Is Relevant Website Best Job Titles to Target Evidence Level
Pret A Manger Food-to-go operator Official testimonial on the event website indicates strong event relevance for innovation and supplier discovery. pret.com CEO, Commercial Director, Procurement Director, Head of Development Confirmed Current-Year Participant
itsu Food-to-go operator Official testimonial highlights the event’s central role in industry innovation and supplier discovery. itsu.com Founder, Group CEO, Procurement Lead, Category Manager Confirmed Current-Year Participant
WatchHouse Coffee shop operator Official testimonial demonstrates operator interest in innovative suppliers and market-leading products. watchhouse.com Managing Director, Procurement Manager, Category Buyer, Head of Operations Confirmed Current-Year Participant
Marugame Udon Europe Foodservice operator Official testimonial indicates senior leadership attends for industry networking and insight. marugame.com Former CEO, Commercial Director, Supply Chain Director, Operations Director Confirmed Current-Year Participant
M&S Food Retail food buyer Official testimonial from head of development shows buying and innovation relevance. marksandspencer.com Head of Development, Buying Manager, Category Manager, Innovation Lead Confirmed Current-Year Participant
Amazon Retail / marketplace / food and convenience buyer Listed on the official “Who visits?” page, indicating large-scale buyer-side reach. amazon.co.uk Category Manager, Procurement Manager, Retail Buyer, Partnerships Lead Confirmed Current-Year Participant
Aramark Contract caterer / hospitality buyer Official visitor list indicates procurement and operator-side relevance for foodservice sourcing. aramark.co.uk Procurement Director, Food Buyer, Operations Director, Supply Chain Manager Confirmed Current-Year Participant
Bidfood Distributor / wholesaler Listed on the official visitor page; strong fit for supplier sourcing and distribution partnerships. bidfood.co.uk Buyer, Category Manager, Commercial Director, Range Manager Confirmed Current-Year Participant
Booker Wholesale buyer Official visitor list indicates wholesale and cash & carry relevance. booker.co.uk Buying Director, Category Buyer, Wholesale Manager, Sourcing Lead Confirmed Current-Year Participant
Brakes Foodservice distributor Official visitor list indicates category and supply-chain value. brakes.co.uk Category Manager, Procurement Manager, Product Development Lead, Supply Chain Director Confirmed Current-Year Participant
Compass Group Contract caterer Official visitor list shows major foodservice procurement relevance. compass-group.com Procurement Director, Culinary Director, Operations Director, Category Manager Confirmed Current-Year Participant
Burger King Quick-service restaurant operator Listed in the official visitor examples; strong fit for food, packaging, and operational suppliers. burgerking.co.uk Procurement Manager, Supply Chain Manager, Operations Director, Menu Development Lead Confirmed Current-Year Participant
Caffè Nero Coffee shop chain Official visitor list indicates buyer-side participation from a major coffee brand. caffenero.com Buying Manager, Procurement Manager, Commercial Director, Innovation Manager Confirmed Current-Year Participant
Co-op Retail buyer Official visitor list indicates retail sourcing relevance. co-operative.coop Category Manager, Buyer, Sourcing Manager, Food Product Developer Confirmed Current-Year Participant
Booths Supermarket / food retail buyer Official visitor list indicates retail and grocery sourcing interest. booths.co.uk Buyer, Category Manager, Procurement Lead, Product Development Manager Confirmed Current-Year Participant
5. Job Profiles, Industries and Event Type
Priority Job Title / Function Department Seniority Level Why This Role Matters
1 Chief Procurement Officer / Procurement Director Procurement C-level / Director Owns sourcing strategy, supplier approval, and commercial negotiations.
2 Head of Development / Innovation Director Product Development Director / Head of Drives menu, concept, and product innovation.
3 Category Manager / Buyer Buying / Category Manager Directly evaluates suppliers, assortments, and margins.
4 Commercial Director Commercial / Sales Director Influences supply partnerships, revenue, and channel strategy.
5 Head of Operations / Operations Director Operations Head / Director Responsible for rollout, consistency, and supplier execution.
6 Supply Chain Director / Manager Supply Chain Director / Manager Key for logistics, continuity, and supplier performance.
7 Head of Food / Culinary Director Culinary / Food Development Director / Head of Influences ingredients, preparation, and concept selection.
8 Packaging Manager / Sustainability Lead Packaging / ESG Manager Relevant to sustainable packaging and compliance needs.
9 Business Development Director / Partnerships Director Partnerships / Commercial Director Secures brand collaborations and route-to-market opportunities.
10 Facilities / Equipment Manager Facilities / Operations Manager Relevant where equipment, refrigeration, or service infrastructure is purchased.
Priority Apollo Industry Why It Fits the Event Best Buyer Use Case
1 Food & Beverages Core market for food-to-go and beverage sourcing. Brand, product, and ingredient buyers
2 Hospitality Hotels, contract caterers, and venue operators purchase similar solutions. Foodservice and facilities buyers
3 Retail Convenience and grocery buyers attend for ready-to-eat range sourcing. Category and buying teams
4 Restaurants QSR and casual dining operators overlap with food-to-go purchasing needs. Menu development and procurement
5 Wholesale Distributors and cash & carry groups are highly relevant buyer-side attendees. Wholesale range and supply-chain buyers
6 Import & Export International product sourcing is common in the food-to-go market. Importers of food, beverage, and packaging
7 Logistics & Supply Chain Cold chain, distribution, and service levels matter to operators. Supply-chain and distribution decision-makers
8 Packaging & Containers Sustainable packaging is explicitly highlighted by the organizer. Packaging procurement and ESG buyers
9 Consumer Goods Many packaged food and drink brands at the show are consumer-product led. Brand and product commercial teams
10 Facilities Services Equipment, cleaning, and site services are adjacent buying categories. Operations and estate support buyers
6. Estimated Attendance
Metric Figure Status Source / Basis Notes
Estimated total footfall Not publicly confirmed Confirmed absence of public figure Organizer website does not publish a current attendance total in the provided source text Use with caution for list sizing and forecasting.
Exhibitor count 300+ suppliers Confirmed Official website text Supplier count is useful for estimating buyer choice density.
Buyer count Not publicly confirmed Unknown No official buyer count disclosed in provided source text Potential buyer volume is inferred, not measured.
Speaker count Not publicly confirmed in provided text Unknown Official website references three free keynote theatres but no count Program depth suggests a meaningful speaker-led audience draw.
Historical attendance Not available in provided source text Unavailable No prior-year attendance figure supplied here Historical public figures should be verified directly from organizer media packs if needed.
7. Key Focus Areas and Buyer Engagement
Focus Area Typical Buyer Need Buyer Engagement Opportunity Relevant Supplier Offering
Food innovation New products, healthier options, menu differentiation Sampling, product demos, innovation showcases Packaged food, ingredients, ready-to-eat ranges
Coffee and beverages Premium drinks, consistent quality, new formats Tasting sessions and coffee-led meetings Coffee, tea, soft drinks, syrups, equipment
Sustainable packaging Lower waste, compliance, recyclability ESG-aligned supplier meetings Compostable, recyclable, fiber-based packaging
Retail and foodservice technology Efficiency, ordering, POS, operations visibility Tech demos and integration discussions POS, ordering, analytics, kitchen tech
Supplier partnerships Reliable supply, distribution, and margin improvement Route-to-market meetings and distributor networking Wholesale, import, private label, contract manufacturing
Lead Quality Assessment
Factor Assessment Explanation
Buyer relevance Very High The show is explicitly built around food-to-go, retail, and coffee shop buyers and suppliers.
Decision-maker availability High Official testimonials and visitor examples point to senior commercial and procurement leaders.
Data collection potential High Visitor examples and brand participation support strong profiling potential for sales outreach.
Apollo targeting potential Very High Clear industries, functions, and buyer titles map well to Apollo filters.
Geographic targeting potential High London-based event with UK-wide reach and a practical catchment for day-trip attendance.
Best outreach approach High-touch pre-show outreach Use targeted email, LinkedIn, and appointment-setting campaigns for buyers and category leaders.
Overall lead quality Very High Strong commercial intent and direct supplier-buying relevance make this a strong event for lead generation.
Best use case B2B attendee list building and supplier prospecting Best suited to companies selling food, beverages, packaging, equipment, technology, and distribution services.
Limitations / risks Medium Exact attendee volume is not public; some visitor examples are indicative rather than a formal attendee list.
Apollo.io Targeting Recommendation
Filter Type Recommended Filters Purpose
Apollo industries Food & Beverages; Hospitality; Retail; Restaurants; Wholesale; Import & Export; Logistics & Supply Chain; Packaging & Containers; Consumer Goods Capture the strongest buyer-side audience for the show.
Departments Procurement; Purchasing; Supply Chain; Operations; Product; Marketing; Commercial; Sustainability; Facilities Prioritize decision-making and influence functions.
Seniority Owner; C-level; VP; Director; Head; Manager Focus on commercially responsible buyers and approvers.
Job titles Procurement Director, Category Manager, Buyer, Commercial Director, Supply Chain Director, Head of Operations, Head of Development, Innovation Manager, Sustainability Lead, Food Buyer Match the main commercial attendees and decision-makers.
Geography United Kingdom; London; Greater London; South East England Optimize for the event’s strongest local and national catchment.
Employee size 11–50; 51–200; 201–500; 501–1,000; 1,000+ Covers independent operators through major chains and distributors.
Keywords food-to-go, coffee, café, grab-and-go, convenience, sustainable packaging, menu innovation, category management, foodservice, wholesale Improve relevance when searching people and companies.
Company type Private companies; public companies; multi-site operators; distributors; importers; wholesalers; contract caterers Prioritize businesses with active buying and supplier selection.
Revenue range Broad filter; prefer mid-market and enterprise buyers where relevant Capture both chain operators and large distributors.
Suggested Apollo Search Logic: (procurement OR buyer OR category manager OR commercial director OR head of development OR supply chain director) AND (food-to-go OR coffee OR café OR convenience OR wholesale OR packaging OR foodservice) AND location: United Kingdom / London.
Client Fit Review Required
Please share the client website or product/service details. I will review the client offering and identify the highest-fit buyer companies, Apollo industries, seniority levels, departments, and job titles from this event.
Sources & Verification Notes
Source Type What It Verified Reliability
lunch! official website Official organizer source Event name, 2026 dates, venue, show positioning, supplier count, keynote theatres, visitor examples, and attendee-side positioning. Very High
Excel London Venue website Venue identity and location context for London, United Kingdom. High
Official “Who visits?” page on lunch! Official attendee-side evidence Buyer-side organizations such as Amazon, Aramark, Bidfood, Booker, Brakes, Compass Group, Burger King, Caffè Nero, Co-op, and Booths. High
Official testimonial quotes on lunch! Official speaker/testimonial evidence Operator and senior leader relevance from Pret A Manger, itsu, WatchHouse, Marugame Udon Europe, 200 Degrees, and M&S Food. High
Official navigation and show structure Official event page structure Exhibitor list, guide, innovation challenge, keynote programme, and co-located shows, indicating trade-show scale and buying intent. High

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