Jack Cowin to headline highly anticipated F&B session at AAA Retail & Commercial Forum

AUSTRALASIA. A standout moment on Day 3 of the upcoming (22-23 July) Australian Airports Association (AAA) Retail & Commercial Forum will be a keynote address from Hungry Jack’s Founder Jack Cowin, headlining the food & beverage session. 

Cowin is the Executive Chairman of Competitive Foods Australia (CFAL), a business that he has grown from one of Australia’s first single food service outlets to a diversified food retailing, manufacturing and exporting company.

Today, CFAL generates AU$2 billion (US$1.3 billion) in revenue and employs over 20,000 people across Australia and New Zealand. In addition to his role at CFAL, Cowin is Chairman and the largest shareholder of ASX-listed Domino’s Pizza Enterprises. 

As reported, AAA Retail & Commercial Forum is hosted and co-organised by the Australian Airports Association, The Mercurius Group and The Moodie Davitt Report. 

The Forum, now in its fourth year, focuses on promoting the growth and development of retail and commercial revenues for airports and concessionaires across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific region.  

The event will be held in Sydney for the first time, taking place at the Sofitel Wentworth hotel on 22 and 23 July. 

Hungry Jack’s operates over 470 outlets across Australia and is one of the largest food & beverage brands in the country’s airports, with eight locations across Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Gold Coast and Cairns airports. The brand is set to expand further with an upcoming opening at Hobart Airport.

During the food & beverage session, attendees will hear from Cowin on the history of Hungry Jack’s and its interest in airports, alongside insights from CEO Chris Green on the brand’s future growth ambitions within the airport sector.

Cowin commented, “Airports have long been a part of the Hungry Jack’s growth story in Australia, so I am delighted to be able to share our backstory with airports from across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific.”  

Green added, “Airports remain a sector of our business that Hungry Jack’s wants to grow. I will share with delegates our plans for the next stage of evolution of the Hungry Jack’s business and look forward to exploring new opportunities.” 

AAA Chief Executive Simon Westaway commented, “We are delighted that such an esteemed member of the F&B community such as Jack Cowin will take the time to share his insight in airports as F&B locations with our delegates. And I look forward to hearing Chris talk about Hungry Jack’s future plans for the airports sector.” 

The Hungry Jack’s opening feature will be followed by a highly relevant discussion panel on the future of food courts in airports. 

Food courts have become a prominent feature of both airport retail and domestic shopping centres in recent years. Their role continues to evolve, providing a diverse and segmented offer to consumers. 

The discussion panel will feature: 

• Richard Jenkins, Founder of BWP Advisors – leading property advisers in the Australian shopping centre sector 

• Davina Connell, General Manager ANZ of Emirates Leisure Retail Australia – a key regional airport F&B operator 

• Jackie Middleton, Co-Founder of Earl Canteen – an up-and-coming F&B brand with three airport locations 

• Richard Barker, CEO of North Queensland Airports – manages a range of F&B outlets across Cairns and Mackay airports 

Jenkins said, “BWP Advisors works extensively with shopping centre owners on the development of food court strategies, so we are happy to bring the latest insights from the shopping centre sector to airports.  

“Food courts are continuously evolving to be more diverse and segmenting retail experiences to meet the demands of consumers.” 

Connell remarked, “Emirates Leisure Retail has been a supporter of this Forum since its inception in 2022. Post COVID, we are developing new projects in multiple locations, including food courts, so we are keen to share our insights.” 

Middleton commented, “National recognition is fresh for our Melbourne-founded brand – airports are a natural progression for a tried-and-true quality fast-casual concept with a local focus, given the exposure to high-quality, engaged foot traffic. These discussions help us frame up the next phase of our airport development strategy.” 

Barker added, “As an airport, F&B is very important to us. We are not only servicing an important need for passengers, but we are providing an experience and opportunity for local brands and produce to be showcased.” 

The Mercurius Group Managing Director Ivo Favotto concluded, “The discussion panel on food courts is a very important one for airports.  

“Food courts are a way for airports to drive F&B spend by offering diversity, choice and segmented offers, so discussing how to improve them and learning from domestic market trends is important.” 

Registrations to attend the Forum are open on the AAA website. 

Note: The Moodie Davitt Report publishes the FAB Newsletter, which features highlights of openings, events and campaigns from around the world of airport and travel dining.

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