ACROSS Discuss: F&B Insights With Will & Johnny, Ep. 4 — Finding Brands Is Important, But Collaborating With Their Franchisees Is Vital

Two top industry professionals talk about the opportunities and challenges in retail gastronomy.

Will Odwarka and Jonathan Doughty are among the most experienced F&B experts in the retail gastronomy scene in Europe. In the fourth episode of the ACROSS Discuss series, they explore the crucial role that franchisee partnerships play in shaping the dining landscape of malls and how developers can leverage these relationships to create a thriving culinary destination for shoppers.

In the competitive world of retail and dining, successful mall developers understand the importance of curating a diverse and enticing mix of food and beverage offerings to attract and retain customers. One key strategy that sets top developers apart is their engagement with selected franchisees of F&B businesses to secure the execution of a particular concept. By partnering with established and reliable franchisees, developers can ensure their vision for the mall’s dining experience is realized to its fullest potential. From upscale restaurants to trendy food trucks, the right mix of F&B options can elevate a shopping center from a mere destination to a must-visit experience.

Join us as we delve into this topic!

Will Odwarka

Will Odwarka is the Founder and CEO of Dubai-based firm Heartatwork Hospitality Consulting since 2019, and a member of the ACROSS Advisory Board. He was born and raised in Vienna, Austria.  He has 30+ years of experience leading international strategic growth and development, Franchise and partner management, and F&B operations. He successfully opened over 1000+ outlets in over 40 countries for renowned global players such as McDonald’s, Starbucks, Burger King, Costa, and Wendy’s and smaller players like Creamscafe and Coffeeshopcompany. He strongly focuses on international market entry for F&B players, brand and investor scouting, and AI in hospitality in the Middle East and Europe.

Jonathan Doughty

As a highly experienced F&B professional, Jonathan Doughty has worked at all corporate levels, and has held both executive and non-executive board roles, as well as special advisory appointments and acted in training roles. He has extensive experience around the world in hospitality, property, food and beverage and commercial real estate. Having worked remotely, in situ and on demand in over 30 countries, he is recognised as a leading professional in both the foodservice and commercial property industry.