All Interview articles – Page 2
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InterviewsInside Brother Marcus’ next chapter: Kamara bar, new sites and guest-first strategy
Fresh from opening their first sister concept, cocktail bar Kamara in Soho last week, co-founders Alex Large and Tas Gaitanos discuss why now is the right time, how they’re balancing creativity with caution, and what comes next for the growing restaurant group
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InterviewsThree Cheers Pub Co. co-founders on opening their 10th site
As it prepares to launch The Trafalgar in Kings Road, Three Cheers Pub Co. is maintaining a cautious approach to growth. Co-founders Mark Reynolds and Tom Peake discuss their strategy
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InterviewsSandbox VR: ‘We want to be within a 45-minute drive of everyone in UK’
From Covent Garden to Dublin, Sandbox VR is building large-scale virtual reality gaming venues with experiences ranging from Squid Game to Stranger Things. CEO Andy Scanlon sets out plans for nationwide growth
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InterviewsToast to open 3-5 more sites in next year
The six-strong coffee brand plans to almost double its estate over the next 12 months, consolidating around its Essex and Suffolk heartland and supported by a new production HQ in Braintree
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InterviewsGong cha to double UK presence by end of 2026
The brand currently has more than 2,150 stores worldwide, with 13 UK sites, and recently opened its first stores under a new franchise agreement
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InterviewsScaldy targets steady London expansion after Peckham launch
Founder Max Spiro outlines plans to grow the spice bag brand (a combination of fried meat or tofu, chips, wok-tossed vegetables and a Chinese spice mix) to five London sites at a rate of one per year
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InterviewsLifestyle Group CEO: ‘London is just the beginning’
The Maltese family-run premium restaurant and hotel operator will open its first international restaurant this month with the launch of Aki London at One Cavendish Square
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InterviewsProtein, mate to open 10 London sites in next three years
The brand, which officially launched in London last week after a three-month soft opening, operates as a fast-casual, takeaway-led QSR, built around its ‘protein-first’ tray bakes
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Weekend PressPret boss Pano Christou: ‘We’re not expensive’
The sandwich and coffee chain reveals plans to launch meal deals and drive-thru sites as it targets major push into motorway services and airports, The Sunday Times writes
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InterviewsFree lobster and global expansion on the menu under new Burger & Lobster CEO
Dino Sura says his immediate priorities are improving efficiencies and driving growth both in the UK and overseas, after he stepped into the role of global CEO this month
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InterviewsAdventure Leisure targets 25+ Mulligans sites by 2030
The group is expanding its mini golf and competitive socialising brand with “cautious ambition” COO Stephen Brown tells MCA
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InterviewsTinie Tempah’s RAPS to rollout with Kitchen Ventures
Multi-brand restaurant group and incubator Kitchen Ventures is looking for JV partners in London and Manchetser for RAPS, a fried chicken concept from UK rap artist Tinie Tempah
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InterviewsRobinsons: ‘Our business will cost £2m more to run this year’
Joint managing director Oliver Robinson warns that government policy is piling pressure on pubs and brewers, pointing to higher NI, business rates and packaging compliance as key drivers
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InterviewsPasta Evangelists: ‘We are never standing still’
CEO Alessandro Savelli discusses the Italian restaurant brand’s franchising and international expansion ambitions, its new breakfast offer and ‘drunk pasta’, as the company pursues rapid growth across the UK
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InterviewsAzzurri Group: ‘Dave’s Hot Chicken is the perfect opportunity to push into Europe’
The successful precedent set by other US QSR brands, and the popularity of Dave’s Hot Chicken in the UK, gives Azzurri the confidence to dip its toe into international waters, CEO Steve Holmes tells MCA
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InterviewsWendy’s: ‘The UK remains a crucial market’
The US burger brand may be advancing further into mainland Europe thanks to new franchise agreements, but the UK remains a key market for future expansion, as well as a ”blueprint for new markets”, Michael Clarke, Wendy’s managing director, Europe, tells MCA.
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InterviewsChopstix explores new growth opportunities through format innovation
The pan-Asian QSR brand’s new modular ‘small box’ format “significantly broadens” the brand’s reach into markets where a traditional site would not be viable, MD Jon Lake tells MCA
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InterviewsHeavenly Desserts: ‘We are likely to beat our openings target’
The 60-strong dessert café franchise has opened six UK sites this year and optimistic it will beat its “conservative” target of 10 openings, with international growth to come on top of that, managing director Yousif Aslam has told MCA.
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InterviewsWatchHouse to add ten sites across UK and US by end of financial year
The premium café chain is preparing for its next phase of growth with new tech, an expanded US presence, and the launch of international franchising
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InterviewsPizza Pilgrims: ‘We have clarity around our vision for the next chapter’
The experience offered by new owners L’Osteria, and backers McWin, alongside a belief in the potential to grow Pizza Pilgrims internationally, is “hugely exciting” for the business, co-founder Thom Elliot tells MCA.