All Giggling Squid articles – Page 3
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NewsRunners and riders highlight health of sector
What sets the companies riding high in the AlixPartners Growth Company Index apart from their peers and able to continue to perform in the face of unprecedented headwinds? Graeme Smith and Craig Rachel take a closer look at the what this year’s list tells us about wider trends in the sector.
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NewsAlixPartners Growth Company Index 2019 Top 50
This year saw MCA once again team up with AlixPartners to identify the fastest growing companies in the UK eating and drinking out sector. The following is the top 50 in full.
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NewsSticks ‘n’ Sushi tops Growth Company Index
Sticks ‘n’ Sushi, the Copenhagen-based Japanese restaurant group, has been named the fastest growing company in the UK’s eating and drinking out sector.
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Analysis & InsightThai restaurant chains leading on rate of growth
The number of chain Thai restaurants have more than doubled over the past five years to December 2018 – up 123%, to 147 sites, with the Asian sector “ripe for further M&A activity”, according to CGA and AlixPartners’ latest Market Growth Monitor.
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OpinionFocus on: AlixPartners’ Growth Company Index 2019
MCA editor James Wallin gives a sneak peek at this year’s entrants for the AlixPartners Growth Company Index and looks back at previous winners
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OpinionTelltale signs point to the exit
After years of reporting on the eating and drinking out sector, Dominic Walsh has learnt to spot the signs of a company seeking an out, with attempts to spin the process becoming ever more convoluted. In his now monthly column, Walsh discusses the key processes in play and also asks when Luke Johnson is likely to return to the public eye.
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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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OpinionTwists and turns
The casual dining sector was once again in the spotlight for the wrong reasons yesterday with the confirmation from Boparan Restaurant Group that it was seeking a Company Voluntary Agreement for its Giraffe and Ed’s Easy Diner brands. James Wallin asks what the decline of the two brands says about the wider casual dining contraction. Meanwhile, with Steve Richards departure from CDG, the two biggest players in the casual dining market are now without long-term leadership. Who would be willing to take on these mantles, and what would their strategies be?
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News
Giggling Squid eyes private equity for next stage of growth
Giggling Squid co-founder Andy Laurillard has confirmed the Thai restaurant group has appointed advisors to assess its next stage of growth, which is likely to involve finding a new private equity partner.
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Opinion
Navigating the debt landscape
With the well-publicised issues facing the UK’s hospitality sector, many would believe that lenders are steering clear. However, despite clear caution, debt options remain available to the right businesses, write Jacco Brouwer and Thomas Paterson of AlixPartners
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NewsRROTY 2019 finalists announced
The finalists for the Retailers’ Retailer of the Year Awards have been announced, including multiple nominations for Stonegate, The Restaurant Group and New World Trading Company (NWTC), among others.
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News
MCA and AlixPartners launch Growth Company Index 2019
MCA is once again teaming up with leading advisory firm AlixPartners to identify the top 50 private firms with the fastest-growing profits in the UK eating and drinking-out sector.
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Analysis & Insight
Opportunities despite knocks
The next 12 months will be another tough year for the UK’s eating and drinking-out sector, and the gulf between great operators and the rest will widen. However, with 2018 proving there were still opportunities to grow and secure investment, AlixPartners’ Graeme Smith considers the outlook for 2019.
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Analysis & InsightThe Dom Walsh Awards 2019
Our regular columnist hands out his annual awards to brands and operators who have made the past 12 months newsworthy – for better or for worse
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NewsGusto reports positive trading outlook despite hit to operating loss
Gusto Italian has seen a good trading performance for the year to date, with like-for-like sales in December up 7%, in what managing director Matt Snell described to MCA as “a stellar performance”.
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NewsGiggling Squid poised to take on former CAU site in Leamington Spa
Giggling Squid has been granted a premise license for the former CAU site in Leamington Spa.
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Analysis & InsightNever want to get cosy
There is an addiction to providing genuine hospitality that runs right through the continuing success of café/bar concept Loungers, that makes sure it continues to generate standout year-on-year performance. A laser-like focus on providing value-for-money, authentic community engagement and a “home-from-home” proposition, have become key calling cards for the Nick Collins-led business, but with talk of a possible IPO resurfacing, what will the City make of this regional success story, asks Mark Wingett.
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Analysis & InsightPicking out the positives amid the challenges
Good news stories have often been hard to come by in the sector of late but according to MCA’s head of consumer insight, Gareth Nash, there are plenty of reasons to be cheerful when you look closely at the figures behind the recent performance of the eating-out sector
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NewsLaurillard: Differentiation key to success
Giggling Squid co-founder Andy Laurillard has credited his company’s 53% uplift in EBITDA to a differentiated offer which does not revolve around pizzas and burgers.
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NewsTRG gambles big on Wagamama deal
The Restaurant Group (TRG) chief executive Andy McCue has rolled the dice and landed on Wagamama – arguably the UK restaurant sector’s best-in-class concept. It is a gamble that many would argue the Frankie & Benny’s operator had to take, but – with TRG’s shareholder still to OK the deal – what does it mean for both businesses and for the wider sector, asks Mark Wingett.