Robert Ancill is the CEO of TNI International and The Next Idea Group. Widely considered the ultimate restaurant authority on emerging and frontier markets, Robert is well known as one of America’s leading Global Restaurant Consultants.
Based in Los Angeles, Robert has overseen the launch of over 89 new brands and 800 restaurant or café openings or remodels. He has worked or consulted with clients in over 24 countries,USA, UK, Kuwait, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Nigeria, India, Bangladesh, Thailand, China, Malaysia, France, Qatar, Tanzania and Pakistan.
Born and raised in Glasgow, Scotland, Robert joined the Glasgow College of Food Technology and graduated with the HCIMA qualification, and then subsequently attained his MBA. During his career, Robert worked for a range of well-known corporations including: Aroma Café Group, The House of Albert Roux, Planet Hollywood, House of Fraser, Safeway, Panera Bread and HMS Host.
In 2002 Robert founded The Next Idea, a high energy, innovative international restaurant consulting agency that simply provides – The Next Idea. The agency specializes in new restaurant concepts, re-positioning, cost efficiency, restaurant franchising, strategy and international growth.
Never wavering from The Next Idea’s core values of Creativity, Excellence, Client Service, and Integrity, Robert has built The Next Idea from a one-client agency to an acclaimed international boutique consulting group with a broad range of small, medium, and large clients, and an enviable project portfolio. The Next Idea operates out of two primary offices: Los Angeles (Corporate), and Trivandrum India, the agency also has a broad international network of brokers and representatives. The company has several divisions, including a new Private Equity business; Global Retail Capital LLC
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Robert, sits on several Company and NGO Board of Directors, and is regularly quoted in the Media on global restaurant and food trends as well as food & restaurant opportunities in emerging and frontier markets. He is regularly speaking at conferences on topics relating to international growth opportunities, restaurant concepts, food trends and consumer behavior.
He is also active in the Non Profit world, supporting many good causes including, anti-slavery, cure and support for autism and child education in underdeveloped countries.
