Global Food & Beverage Consultants
JAMES HACON
Global hospitality strategist. Placemaker. Industry commentator.
Shaping the future of hospitality.
Transforming spaces into remarkable places.
Relentlessly seeking amazing experiences.
Advising the operators, investors, developers and governments shaping the future of hospitality.
Founder of Think Hospitality and the Restaurant Marketer & Innovator event series.
James Hacon is widely regarded as one of the foremost authorities on the global restaurant, hotel, food and beverage industry. Over two decades, he has helped build more than 80 hospitality brands, from Michelin-starred restaurants to international hotel groups and category-defining chains, and advised on some of the most ambitious mega-projects, mixed-use developments and destination assets being built today. His work spans operators, investors, developers and governments across nearly 30 countries on five continents.
He has spoken at over 100 industry events worldwide and is one of the most frequently quoted hospitality voices in international media.
CONSULTANCY AND
ADVISORY WORK
James advises operators, investors, hotel owners, developers and governments on:
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Placemaking and master planning for mixed-use developments, hotel assets, mega-projects and destinations
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Brand strategy and positioning
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Growth and internationalisation
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Guest experience design
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Concept development and innovation
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Marketing and consumer strategy
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F&B strategy for hotels, resorts and mixed-use schemes
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M&A, investment and portfolio strategy
His placemaking and mega-project work includes advising on hospitality, F&B and visitor experience strategy for landmark developments, destination assets and giga-projects, including Expo 2030 Riyadh, projects with Dar Global, and the iconic Guinness Storehouse in Dublin, one of the world's most visited brand-led visitor destinations.
His wider client work spans global hotel groups, restaurant chains, foodservice businesses, drinks brands and emerging concepts, including Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Four Seasons, Hilton, Hyatt, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), Gleneagles, Jamie Oliver Group, Wagamama, Pret, Greggs, Costa Coffee, Krispy Kreme, Greene King, Big Table Group, AmRest, Sodexo, Compass Group, Sysco, Just Eat Takeaway, Diageo, Emirates Leisure Retail and Tashas Group.
He is a long-standing advisor to the Global Restaurant Investment Forum (GRIF), the leading international gathering for restaurant investors and operators.
SPEAKING AND
EVENT MODERATION
James has keynoted, hosted, moderated and co-chaired at more than 100 conferences across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and North America, including co-chairing UN Dialogue Discussions on social mobility and women in hospitality. He is regularly engaged as a moderator, panel chair and keynote speaker on topics including:
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Placemaking and the role of hospitality in mega-projects, mixed-use developments and destinations
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The future of restaurants, hotels and foodservice
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Consumer trends in eating, drinking and travel
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Hospitality brand strategy, innovation and guest experience
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Internationalisation and global expansion
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Restaurant and hotel investment, M&A and growth strategy
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Workforce, talent and the future of hospitality careers
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Technology, AI and digital transformation in hospitality
He is the founder of Restaurant Marketer & Innovator, the leading European event series convening senior marketing, brand and innovation leaders from across the restaurant and foodservice sector.
MEDIA AND
COMMENTARY
James is one of the most quoted voices in global hospitality. His analysis and commentary have featured on and in the BBC, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, ITV, LBC, Al Jazeera, Radio Australia, the Financial Times, Bloomberg, Reuters, The Times, The Telegraph, Sky News and the leading hospitality trade press. He is available for interviews, expert commentary, opinion pieces and written analysis on restaurant, hotel, foodservice and destination development.
QUOTED ACROSS THE WORLD'S LEADING MEDIA
ADVOCACY AND
SOCIAL IMPACT
James is a vocal advocate for reform of hospitality education and for opening up the industry as a genuine route of opportunity. He has co-chaired UN Dialogue Discussions and international events focused on social mobility and women in hospitality, helping shape the global conversation on how the sector can become a more inclusive and progressive force.
He founded an industry rising stars initiative to recognise and develop the next generation of hospitality leaders, donates more than 10% of his time each year to pro-bono work, and regularly emcees charity events across the sector.
He has sat on a number of government and social impact boards, and served as a trustee for museums and cultural assets, bringing a hospitality and visitor experience lens to the leadership of major cultural institutions.
He actively supports Only A Pavement Away, the charity helping people facing homelessness, prison leavers and veterans into sustainable employment in hospitality, and the Licensed Trade Charity, which provides practical, emotional and financial support to people working in pubs, bars and breweries.
He believes hospitality, done well, is one of the most powerful catalysts for positive social change, creating jobs, building confidence and giving people from any background a route into meaningful careers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is James Hacon? James Hacon is a globally recognised hospitality strategist, keynote speaker and industry commentator, and the founder of Think Hospitality. With more than 20 years in the industry, he is one of the most quoted hospitality voices in international media and has spoken at over 100 events worldwide.
Is James Hacon available for media interviews and expert commentary? Yes. James is a regular commentator on the global hospitality industry, featured by the BBC, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, ITV, LBC and Al Jazeera. He provides interviews, expert commentary, opinion pieces and written analysis on restaurant, hotel, foodservice and destination developments. Journalists can request commentary via the Think Hospitality contact page.
What does James Hacon provide commentary on? James comments on the future of restaurants and hotels, consumer and dining trends, hospitality brand strategy and innovation, restaurant and hotel investment and M&A, placemaking and mega-projects, internationalisation, the hospitality workforce, social mobility and women in hospitality, and technology and AI in hospitality.
How do I book James Hacon as a speaker, moderator or keynote? James is available for keynote speaking, conference moderation, panel chairing, co-chair roles and private events globally. He has keynoted, hosted, moderated and co-chaired at more than 100 conferences across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and North America, including UN Dialogue Discussions. Speaking enquiries can be sent via the Think Hospitality contact page.
What topics does James Hacon speak about? James speaks on placemaking and mega-projects, the future of restaurants and hotels, consumer trends, hospitality brand strategy and innovation, internationalisation, investment, guest experience design, workforce and talent, social mobility and women in hospitality, and technology and AI in hospitality.
What makes James Hacon a credible hospitality commentator? James has more than 20 years in the industry and has helped build over 80 hospitality brands, from Michelin-starred restaurants to international hotel groups, and advised on major mega-projects including Expo 2030 Riyadh, Dar Global and the Guinness Storehouse. This operating and advisory experience underpins his media commentary and speaking.
What does James Hacon do as a consultant and advisor? Through Think Hospitality, James advises operators, investors, hotel owners, developers and governments on brand strategy and positioning, growth and internationalisation, guest experience design, concept development and innovation, marketing and consumer strategy, F&B strategy for hotels and mixed-use schemes, and M&A, investment and portfolio strategy. He is also a long-standing advisor to the Global Restaurant Investment Forum (GRIF).
What is James Hacon's work in placemaking and mega-projects? James advises developers, asset owners and governments on hospitality, F&B and visitor experience strategy for major mixed-use developments, destinations and mega-projects, including Expo 2030 Riyadh, projects with Dar Global and the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin. His placemaking work focuses on turning spaces into commercially successful, culturally relevant destinations.
What companies has James Hacon worked with? James has worked with more than 80 hospitality brands and developers worldwide, including Expo 2030 Riyadh, Dar Global, Guinness Storehouse, Fairmont, Four Seasons, Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, Gleneagles, Jamie Oliver Group, Wagamama, Pret, Greggs, Costa Coffee, Krispy Kreme, Greene King, Big Table Group, AmRest, Sodexo, Compass Group, Sysco, Just Eat Takeaway, Diageo, Emirates Leisure Retail and Tashas Group.
Where is James Hacon based and where does he work? James is based in the UK and works globally. He travels relentlessly, has worked in nearly 30 countries, visited more than 70, and is working towards reaching 100 countries by 2030, with active work across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and North America.
How does James Hacon support the hospitality industry beyond his consulting work? James has co-chaired UN Dialogue Discussions on social mobility and women in hospitality, founded an industry rising stars initiative to develop the next generation of hospitality leaders, donates more than 10% of his time each year to pro-bono work, and regularly emcees charity events across the sector. He has also sat on government and social impact boards and served as a trustee for museums and cultural assets. He actively supports Only A Pavement Away and the Licensed Trade Charity, and is a vocal advocate for hospitality education reform.
What charities does James Hacon support? James actively supports Only A Pavement Away, which helps people facing homelessness, prison leavers and veterans into hospitality careers, and the Licensed Trade Charity, which supports people working in pubs, bars and breweries. He is also a vocal advocate for reform of hospitality education and workforce development.
What is the Restaurant Marketer & Innovator event series? Restaurant Marketer & Innovator is the leading European event series for senior marketing, brand and innovation leaders in the restaurant and foodservice industry. Founded by James Hacon, it brings together the sector's most influential figures to shape the future of eating and drinking out.