Spotlight on Gouvêa Foodservice: Bridging Brazil and the Global Foodservice Industry

This month's blog is Sponsored By Gouvêa.
March 17, 2025

Gouvêa Foodservice is a Brazilian company with 15 years of experience, part of the Gouvêa Ecosystem, which is the only business ecosystem in Brazil focused on retail and consumption.

Gouvêa Foodservice operates in the strategic consulting and business management sector of the foodservice chain, which includes food and beverage industries, distributors, and operators, providing insights, market analysis and consulting for performance optimization, go-to-market strategies, leadership development, and technological innovation, supporting these businesses to innovate, adapt to trends, and improve their results.

The company's purpose is to connect the Brazilian foodservice market with the leading global trends and innovations to inspire leaders and businesses toward their growth. Its strategy relies on a well-structured approach of curation and leadership in international events.

One of Gouvêa Foodservice's greatest strengths is our ability to identify international trends, adapt them to the national context, and develop tools for implementation. We strive to be a bridge so that innovations and global best practices are adapted to the specificities of the local market, thereby promoting the continuous evolution spirit of Brazilian companies.

We aim to drive the Brazilian foodservice sector to keep up with and anticipate global trends, remaining competitive and innovative. To achieve this, we structure delegations with the participation of C-Levels, Directors, Executives, and Entrepreneurs from all links of the foodservice sector and count on the support of the IFB - Instituto Foodservice Brasil and the ABRASEL - Associação Brasileira de Bares e Restaurantes, the two largest entities in the country.

Gouvêa Foodservice's leadership in the Brazilian delegation to the National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago is an essential strategic development for Brazilian companies. This event is the largest in the Western Hemisphere in the foodservice sector and provides a privileged scenario for Brazilian companies to access a wide spectrum of innovations, new technologies, and international best practices.

Since 2019, our company has invested in its relationship with the National Restaurant Association Show organization, and even during the pandemic, we organized digital content in collaboration. When the event resumed in person, we continued with the delegation model, with the participation of national and multinational companies of all sizes.

In 2022 and 2023, we delivered presentations during the Restaurant Show, and in 2025 we will participate again, expanding participants' exposure to the Brazilian foodservice landscape through data, case studies, and movements that contribute to experience exchange and the generation of new businesses.

Benefits for Brazilian Companies

Participating in an event of this magnitude, under the leadership of Gouvêa Foodservice, allows Brazilian companies to immerse themselves in an environment of innovation and global networking. The curation performed by the consultancy ensures that delegation members have access to complementary content through technical visits, discussions with global leaders, and targeted networking.

Through initiatives like the Connection Foodservice held in Brazil, in-company lectures, and open events, Gouvêa Foodservice extends the reach of the information acquired at the Restaurant Show to a broader audience; in the 2022-2024 editions, more than 10,000 professionals were impacted, and in 2025 this number will reach 15,000 people. These actions not only expand the impact of our international participations but also reinforce the commitment to disseminating knowledge and fostering sector development in Brazil.

Over the years, Gouvêa Foodservice earned the role of catalyst in the progress of the Brazilian foodservice sector, connecting companies, inspiring leaders, and driving innovation.

Our mission is to integrate the Brazilian market into global trends and strengthen the country's position in an increasingly competitive and dynamic market. The National Restaurant Association Show marks a crucial moment to prepare the sector to face challenges and seize opportunities in the global landscape.

Globally, Brazil is the 3rd largest food producer and the 5th most important foodservice market worldwide. I am always grateful for the receptiveness and partnership of the entire Restaurant Show team, which through this model, allows us to truly impact the professionalization of the country.

Cristina Souza – Founder and CEO of Gouvêa Foodservice