speaker-photo

Andy House

Senior Director, Agency, Imagine Studio
A strategic innovator, creative thinker, and storyteller, Andy House’s has paved a proven track record of conceiving, developing, and executing award-winning brand experiences across the globe. His approach to dynamic problem solving, consumer behavior, and applied empathy has empowered multi-disciplinary design teams to effectively collaborate and exceed client expectations. Andy has established himself as a creative force in the retail industry. Inspired by the ever-changing consumer climate, he continues to connect the dots on the forefront of early adoption, forming new paths of human-centered design thinking and strategic business opportunities. He spent over a decade leading the store design team at Abercrombie & Fitch and their expansion of brands into nearly 20 countries. His efforts in brand innovation, store technology-enablement, and activation of voice-of-customer transformed the A&F store experience and spawned the company’s Transformation Management Office.   In his agency roles as Creative Director, Andy has led the strategy and creation of new retail formats and innovation projects for dozens of Fortune 500 clients, specialty retailers, and quick-serve restaurants. He regularly shares thought leadership as a conference speaker, podcast guest, and though published articles, especially on the intersection of emotional experience design and behavioral psychology.   He serves on the board of Retail Design Institute where his efforts as chair of the marketing and education committees connect design professionals and students to the future of retail. A lifelong student of art and science, Andy is a passionate creator of art, food, and music. When he’s not making, he spends his time marathon training or in the wine community leading theory and tasting education. 
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Thursday May 7

Fast Forward - Transforming the QSR Customer Experience

Quick-service restaurants are rapidly redefining what convenience, speed and experience look like for today’s customers. As expectations evolve, from digital ordering and seamless pickup to more welcoming dine-in environments, the design of QSR spaces must adapt to support new behaviors while maintaining operational efficiency. This high-impact panel brings together senior executives leading QSR brand evolutions and refreshes happening today. Through conversation and real-world examples, panelists will explore how changing customer preferences are influencing store layouts, service models, technology integration and brand expression inside the physical environment. Attendees will gain insight into how QSR brands are rethinking their spaces to balance speed, flexibility and experience, ensuring stores remain relevant as dining habits, ordering channels and customer expectations continue to shift. Takeaways:

  • Discover how evolving customer behaviors are reshaping QSR store design and service models
  • Understand ways technology, pickup formats and flexible layouts are influencing next-generation QSR spaces
  • Hear real-world insights from leading QSR executives on adapting stores to meet changing expectations