All Café Rouge articles – Page 2
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NewsThe Highs and Lows of Promotions
In recent weeks I have looked into various elements of economising behaviour by consumers, including targeting low prices and more spending at weekends as opposed to weekdays, today’s focus is on the widely prevalent, yet potentially damaging, practice of promotional activity. Key questions asked include whether its usage is rising, who’s buying into the offers the most and what are the most popular promotion types. The core focus area is the key dinner day-part within the chain restaurant sector and the source of answers is MCA’s consumer tracking service, the Eating Out Panel.
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Analysis & InsightFocus on: French casual dining chains
For a country associated with such a long established and fine cuisine tradition, it might be considered a little surprising that French food does not have a stronger restaurant chain presence in the UK, but perhaps the two elements of individual flair and multi-site brand consistency are indeed, polemically opposed.
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NewsBranded restaurant market – green shoots of recovery?
Turning tables is a long-established practice in the restaurant market, albeit perhaps one more commonly associated with times of more buoyant trading than those currently prevailing. Highlighting just how fast the fortune tables can turn in this market, I was fascinated by some recent MCA analysis looking at physical growth by branded restaurant chains across different portfolio sizes. This year, the estate bracket sub-category that is anticipated to add the most net new sites will be ‘small’ operators.
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News
CDG appoints trio of brand directors
Casual Dining Group (CDG) has appointed brand directors at Bella Italia, Las Iguanas and Café Rouge as it restructures its senior team formation.
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NewsCafé Rouge to introduce access guides for the disabled
Café Rouge has announced it will provide disabled people, carers and those with access requirements with detailed access guides for their restaurants.
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NewsCafé Rouge partners with The Prince’s Trust
Café Rouge has announced The Prince’s Trust will be its new charity partner, following a three-year partnership with the NSPCC.
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NewsHawksmoor appoints Hall as marketing director
Former Casual Dining Group executive Georgia Hall has joined Hawksmoor as its new marketing director.
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OpinionCoronation street
For any company succession planning is an absolute priority but for founder-led businesses it can present particular challenges. How can you ever replace a founder and how should they be involved in the process? MCA editor James Wallin talks to recruitment experts to get their view on the pitfalls of managing succession. They discuss what the sector can learn from examples such as Loungers as well as examining a high-profile internal promotion yesterday, in James Spragg’s succession to chief executive at Casual Dining Group.
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OpinionA no-brainer of sorts
In his latest monthly column Dominic Walsh digests the news of Steve Richards’ departure from Casual Dining Group with mixed emotions although concluding, after some consideration, that it makes sense. He goes on to ponder the future of Fuller’s following its boardroom shake-up.
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NewsCDG lfls up 2.6% YTD
Casual Dining Group (CDG) has reported like-for-like sale (lfls) up 2.6% in the year to date, with a 4.2% rise in the 13 weeks since the New Year.
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NewsCDG to support Syrian refugees through training programme
Casual Dining Group (CDG) has completed a pilot programme that aims to support Syrian refugees gain the necessary skills and experience to transition into the world of work.
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Analysis & InsightBig no longer beautiful among casual restaurant brands?
Are the days of restaurant brands growing to 100+ sites really over? MCA’s market insight director, Steve Gotham, takes a look at what can be learnt from the chains that have already surpassed this milestone and who has the potential to be the next centurion of casual dining.
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Analysis & InsightWe want to be together
With the wider issues facing the market, many believe the UK’s eating and drinking-out sector is ripe for consolidation. However, does it work for everyone involved and, in current conditions, is it a case of looking outside the box for the best partner for your business, asks AlixPartners’ Graeme Smith
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NewsWilkinson joins Parkdean Resorts
Simon Wilkinson, the former chief executive of La Tasca, has joined Parkdean Resorts, overseeing the company’s retail operations.
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NewsRooney Anand to chair CDG
Rooney Anand, the outgoing chief executive of Greene King, has been appointed non-executive chairman of the Casual Dining Group, the Café Rouge and Bella Italia operator.
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NewsForesight: 'We continue to see this as a market with growth'
Foresight Private Equity has made investments in early stage Indian street food, healthy eating and speciality coffee concepts. MCA news editor Finn Scott-Delany speaks to Foresight Partner Matt Smith about why there is still an appetite to invest in differentiated concepts in the leisure sector.
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NewsPrezzo to refurb half estate in 2019
Prezzo executive chairman Karen Jones has told MCA that a refurbishment programme under a new look and design will be the priority for 2019, with a target of around half the estate.
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NewsCafe Rouge trials Chef & Rooster virtual brand
Cafe Rouge, the Casual Dining Group brand, is trialling a new virtual brand, Chef & Rooster, at selected sites, MCA has learnt.
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Analysis & InsightThe virtual world becomes reality
Virtual restaurants might sound like a computergenerated fabrication – but the food they delivery is very much a physical reality, and it’s growing. As the major delivery companies start to push into restaurant brands, Finn Scott-Delany examines the lie of the land.
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NewsJones: 'Prezzo lost its focus on hospitality'
Prezzo executive chair Karen Jones has told MCA’s Restaurant Conference about her decision to take charge of the struggling brand and mission to “make customers love it again”.