Whether it is street food, organic and vegan products, franchise and restaurant chains or counter solutions, the gastronomy industry is continuously developing while consumers’ desire for variety, flexibility and new experiences is increasing.
The breeding ground for entrepreneurs to be successful with their innovative approaches and concepts is therefore large. Next month, between 15-19 February, they can present these at the Food & Concept Court, which takes place within the framework of INTERGASTRA, the leading trade fair for the hotel and gastronomy business in Stuttgart, Germany.
The Food & Concept Court is a marketplace for holistic and future-oriented concepts for the foodservice market and trade gastronomy – a platform where providers of franchise systems, potential entrepreneurs and partners from industry and gastronomy can showcase their products and services and exchange information and ideas.
Experts from across gastronomy come together
How do I find business and franchise partners? What do I need to consider if I would like to set up a business? How good is my concept? The Food & Concept Court, organised by Messe Stuttgart in cooperation with ErfaFoodService and the German Franchising Association, is aimed specifically at the requirements of potential founders, as well as entrepreneurs from the gastronomy and hotel sector and can help to answer these questions.
Guests will find an optimal platform for exchanging information and ideas and networking. While potential founders present their innovative concepts, get tips from experts if needed and look for solutions and possi
ble partners, entrepreneurs and gastronomers can find out how to expand their business and which new products and solutions to deploy. They will also have the opportunity to exchange information and ideas with possible franchisees.
Thanks to its location between Food Hall 1 and the IKA/Culinary Olympics in the ICS International Congress Center Stuttgart, the “Restaurant am Wasser” is ideal for the platform: right at the centre of the action and yet away from the hustle and bustle of the trade fair.
“We are looking forward to an active exchange of experiences, exciting concepts and informative presentations in the area of restaurant chains,” says Markus Tischberger, project manager at INTERGASTRA. “All market players and interest groups come together at this industry event. In the Food & Concept Court we are therefore expecting a particularly qualified audience and productive discussions in a professional setting,” adds Michael Möhring from ErfaFoodService, who developed the concept for the special area.
Wow the public at Pitch & Meet
The Food & Concept Court reveals its innovative side with the new Pitch & Meet area. Each day there will be two rounds of pitches where entrepreneurs can present their ideas and concepts in three- to five-minute presentations and convince potential business or franchise partners.
Live demonstrations and tastings support the presentation, a lounge area invites people to engage in discussions. In addition, the restaurant chains brand barometer is presented by the University of Heilbronn and the team under Prof. Dr. Markus Zeller.
Franchising is easier than ever before
A unique opportunity to network and obtain information – Jan Schmelzle, president of the German Franchising Association, also shares this view and therefore encourages members to participate. “Whether a prospective customer or franchisor – whoever wants to learn more about the franchise system, exchange information and ideas with like-minded people and discover exciting concepts is at the right place at the Food & Concept Court”, says Schmelzle.
The association recognised the trend towards restaurant chains with the franchising business model and supports both interested franchisors and potential entrepreneurs and franchisees in all steps of the setup, conceptual design and business expansion. “Consumer behaviour is constantly changing – it is fast-paced and mobile. The customer expects high quality, wants to find trusted brands and menus everywhere and often connects the restaurant visit with an experience – franchising satisfies these requirements and thus has high potential for success,” concludes Schmelzle.
INTERGASTRA will take place 15-19 February 2o2o at Messe Stuttgart. For more information please visit:
www.messe-stuttgart.de/intergastra
