What a wonderful and intense couple of days it has been in London helping organise the annual RMI event @restmarkinnov . I had the chance to co-MC and lead a couple of super insightful panels on restaurant technology and loyalty
Oh, what a night! 🏆
We hosted the eighth RMI awards last night at the fabulous Pergola on the Wharf in a London, welcoming over 300 industry leaders.
The winners were; 🥁
Best New /Improved Visual Identity: Brewhouse & Kitchen
Campaign of the Year: Greene King Pubs
Best Digital Engagement: Lucky Saint
Best New Product Development: Candid Hospitality
Best Use of Technology: Cow & Sow
Best Community/Charity Initiative: The Big Table Group
Best New Website: The Alchemist Bars & Restaurants
Launch Campaign of the Year: Cow & Sow
Best Use of AI: Popeyes UK
Best Use of Research, Insight or Data: The New World Trading Company
Agency of the Year: EDGEY
CIO/CTO of the Year: David Carey
Innovator of the Year: Markus Thesleff;
Marketer of the Year: Sheri Williamson.
Highly commended awards went to TGI Fridays (Campaign of the Year), Hospitality Rides (Best Community/Charity Initiative) and Fleet Street (Agency of the Year).
With a bumper year of exceptional entries, it was a particularly tough job for our panel of judges, but in the end, they whittled them down to find our very deserving winners, who represent the very best of marketing, innovation, technology and development in our exciting sector.
Congratulations to you all.
We kicked off RMI 2026 getting into industry with two study tours. Heleri Rande led the hotel F&B tour to some of London’s top properties while my group hit six new high street restaurants and bars in the capital.
A big thank you to everyone that welcomed us into your brands with such wonderful hospitality.
Knoops with Alex Lindblom-Smith
Fulham Pier with Sodexo Live!
Brother Marcus with Tasos Gaitanos
Arc Inspirations with Laura Lewis
Tigermilk Group with Alexis Melikov
The Jamie Oliver Group with Hamish Goldie
Absolutely stars! 🤩
James Hacon, our co-founder, traveled to Dubai yesterday for the grand opening of Big Mamma Group’s largest restaurant, Gloria, at DIFC. With 1,700 attendees, it was a spectacular event!
Evie Horsell, Head of Communications for the UK & Ireland, will join us on stage at RMI in January to discuss how this inspiring company makes a memorable launch.
Taking to the RMI stage for 2026, @bellaitaliarestaurants Marketing Director, Megan Trimble shares how the brand has pivoted from a discount-led operator to one driven by experience, exclusives and innovation. She reveals how Bella is responding to a changing demographic, reinforcing value and differentiating from competitors. Expect insights on marketing-led menu development, viral activations such as “Bella Appreciation Day” and “Spritz Day,” and how a heritage brand can reassert itself in a crowded market.
Super excited to be returning to @pergolacanarywharf for our RMI Awards 2026 with @incipio_group . There’ll be incredible food, a live band, comedian and top notch drinks - oh, and 14 epic trophies to be awarded to the sectors best marketers, technologists and innovators.
This announcement is a special one. Dishoom is one of the most respected restaurant groups in the market with reputation for retaining brand integrity with scale and incredibly sales, with big plans for international expansion in the coming years. But the question is what are the north stars that drive Dishoom?
Co-founder Kavi Thakrar takes to the RMI stage in 2026 to share what drives @dishoom - the tenets of the brand, the importance of poetry, why the hospitality imperative always trumps growth, and what bringing ‘seva’ every day means.
In conversation with Mark Stretton, MD of Fleet Street
Kicking off our innovation stage RMI26 is David Tester, Head of Marketing at @francomancapizza , joined by @georgemlamb , Co-founder of @wildfarmed , to share how simplicity guides their NPD strategy and partnership. They explore how “Pizza with Principles” comes to life from farm visits to menu development and impact across people, planet and profit, and how purpose and collaboration drive growth.
Thank you to the team @sodexolive for playing host to our Rising Stars reception for 2026 at @fulham.pier , London’s newest riverside destination
From the bustling Riverside Market food hall, home to over 10 diverse street food vendors, to neighbourhood dining at the newly opened Brasserie Constance by Michelin-star chef Adam Byatt, this venue changes the game when it comes to stadium hospitality.
From Bowl to Brand: Scaling Pho. Returning to the RMI stage for 2026, @libbyeandrews , Marketing Director at @phorestaurant , shares her first-hand experience of guiding the brand from just 3 sites to 50. She reveals how Pho has pivoted at key stages of growth, adapted to shifts in ownership style and evolved its brand and marketing to stay fresh, relevant and distinctive at scale.
