Entre Panes – B2B Convention and Trade Show

Entre Panes is the first business convention and B2B (Business to Business) trade show specialized in the fast and casual food segment in Colombia, a space conceived to bring together, on one stage, the main players in the value chain for hamburgers, sandwiches, hot dogs and other "between the buns" preparations. The event will take place on August 16 and 17 at Plaza Mayor (Pabellón Verde and Pabellón Azul), and aims to gather more than 2,000 business owners, entrepreneurs and professionals linked to the foodservice ecosystem, establishing itself as a strategic event for the professionalization and expansion of the sector.

Fast and casual food continues to establish itself as one of the leading categories in the national and regional food market, a driver of entrepreneurship and employment, which makes this platform for learning, connection and commercial opportunity highly relevant.

The event responds to a specific market need: a specialized space that not only showcases products and services, but also fosters strategic relationships among suppliers, operators, franchises, investors and equipment manufacturers.

The convention will feature more than 100 exhibiting brands, organized by categories key to “between the buns” business operations: meats, dairy and cheeses, bakery, frozen foods, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, fresh produce, sauces and dressings, fats and oils, packaging, cleaning supplies, technology, specialized services and kitchen equipment, among others. This segmentation will let attendees walk through, in a structured way, everything they need to optimize their operations, evaluate new business partners and update their portfolio.

Entre Panes’ value proposition rests on three pillars: strategic learning, high-level networking and business growth.

Over the two days there will be an interactive agenda with more than 20 talks led by industry leaders. Under the theme “The Perfect Combo for Food Businesses,” executives and leaders of well-known brands will share real experiences, operational lessons and growth outlooks.

Their presentations will cover topics critical to the sustainability and scalability of businesses: leadership, team structuring, expansion through franchising, product innovation, digital marketing, artificial intelligence applied to restaurants and strategies for coping with cost pressure.

The event’s approach is designed to offer practical, actionable tools. It is an agenda that seeks to transfer applied knowledge so that business owners can return to their companies with clear decisions on profitability, differentiation, customer experience and operational efficiency.

Entre Panes’ relevance rests on the segment’s growth dynamics. Hamburgers continue to be the main driver within the category. According to GIG Latam data, in the first quarter of 2025 this segment reached sales of COP 353 billion in Colombia, with growth of 6.5% and a 7.1% increase in the average ticket, which stood at COP 46.253 per transaction. These figures show not only sustained demand, but also consumers’ growing willingness to pay more for differentiated offerings.

In the case of sandwiches, EMR studies estimate that around 25 million units are sold in Colombia each year, with projected growth of 6.6% per year between 2024 and 2032. This trend confirms that the “between the buns” format is not a passing fad, but a structural category within urban consumption.

At the regional level, the fast food sector in Latin America was valued at USD 57.78 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 84 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.49%, according to Virtue Market Research. Factors such as rising disposable income, rapid urbanization, higher workforce participation and a young population that prioritizes convenience and speed explain this expansion.

In this context, specializing a convention in the “between the buns” segment is a strategic bet. It is one of the most democratic and versatile formats in the market: from premium concepts to accessible-ticket offerings, from independent restaurants to franchised chains, from brick-and-mortar models to dark kitchens and hybrid operations with a strong digital component.

Entre Panes also seeks to address the structural challenges facing food entrepreneurs: volatile raw material prices, pressure on margins, changing consumption habits, accelerated digitalization and the need for administrative professionalization. By bringing supplies, equipment, technology, financial services and training solutions together in one space, the event offers a comprehensive view of the business.

For suppliers, the convention represents a concrete opportunity to reach highly segmented purchasing decision-makers. Because it is a specialized event, the visitor profile is more qualified: owners, managers, operations directors, executive chefs and entrepreneurs with a real intention to expand or improve processes. This increases the likelihood of closing business deals and strategic partnerships.

From the city’s perspective, holding Entre Panes places Medellín on the national calendar of business gatherings for the food sector, at a time when the franchise model and emerging brands are gaining ground. The city has established itself as a laboratory for food innovation, with consumers open to new offerings and business owners willing to experiment with formats and experiences.

Over the two days, in addition to the interactive agenda and the trade exhibition, there will be networking spaces, product launches and sector meetings that will make one-on-one conversations possible between brands, investors and suppliers. This relationship-building component is one of the event’s differentiators, as it aims to generate measurable results beyond attendance.

Admission to the event requires prior registration, and doors will open at 9:00 a.m. both days. The audience ranges from large restaurant chains to small and medium-sized operators who traditionally do not attend international trade shows because of financial barriers.

Entre Panes aspires to become the must-attend annual event for the segment in Colombia and Latin America. Its vision is to build a professional community around the “between the buns” format, promote quality standards, drive innovation and strengthen the value chain. By bringing knowledge, commercial offerings and networking together in one setting, the convention is positioned as a catalyst for the growth of thousands of businesses that create jobs and energize local economies.

In short, Entre Panes 2026 positions itself as the first major business convention dedicated exclusively to the world of hamburgers, sandwiches and hot dogs in Colombia. Its comprehensive approach, which is commercial, educational and relational, responds to the maturity and outlook of a segment that continues to expand. For business owners, investors and suppliers, the gathering at Plaza Mayor will be a strategic opportunity with a long-term vision.

For a professional audience, Entre Panes is a strategic space to anticipate trends, evaluate suppliers, compare business models and strengthen competitiveness. In an increasingly demanding market, where differentiation and efficiency determine survival, having specialized venues for learning and connection becomes a decisive advantage.