All Interview articles – Page 6
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InterviewsKFC’s Jo Tivers: “I love pickled and fermented ingredients - they go so well with the KFC Original Recipe”
KFC’s NPD team lead discusses the success of its Vegan Burger, where KFC plans to take its plant-based menu next and why texture is too often overlooked by product developers.
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OpinionThe Italian Job
Jon Knight has had an eventful first six months at the helm of Jamie Oliver Restaurant Group, having guided the company through a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) and set about reconnecting the group’s celebrity founder with his restaurants. He talks to James Wallin about what growth looks like post-CVA, how the group is aiming to come off the discounting drug and how the brand would cope if Oliver’s star began to fade.
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OpinionNip and Tuk
Health-focused chain Leon has partnered with David Thompson’s Aylmer Aaharn food group to transform its Shaftesbury Avenue site into a Thai fast food restaurant that could become a major growth brand. Restaurant magazine deputy editor Joe Lutrario meets Leon founder John Vincent to discuss the prospects for Tuk Shop.
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OpinionNew chains shaping the healthy high street
Canadian fast-casual chain Freshii launched in the UK earlier this year with ambitious plans to capitalise on the appetite for healthy eating. The expansion on these shores is being headed up by POD co-founder, Kate Skerritt, who spoke to MCA’s sister title Food Spark about where she sees the future of food.
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NewsUrban on M&B’s “engine room”
MCA spoke to Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) chief executive, Phil Urban, on the back of yesterday’s half-year results. He discussed the next stage of the group’s transformation programme, including bolder pricing strategies on a local basis. He also talked about consolidation in the Stonehouse brand, further evolution of Harvester and the revival of O’Neill’s; as well as the scope for pay at table and delivery options.
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NewsMarston’s “will continue to land bank sites”
Marston’s chief executive Ralph Findlay has told MCA the group will continue to land bank sites despite revising down its growth targets for next year.
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News
Focus on: Marston’s Destination
Iain Jackson, who heads up Marston’s c350-strong Destination division spoke to MCA about the growth of the group’s Firebrand and Accent divisions and the scope he sees for further expansion. He also discussed how he has restructured his teams into smaller units that can react more swiftly to changing consumer trends, and the creation of a dedicated openings team, to follow sites through from acquisition to the handover to ops teams.
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Analysis & Insight
Fuelling growth
Jo Cumming, co-owner of Food & Fuel, the food-led pub operator, talks to Mel Flaherty about expansion, working with Ei Group, the biggest changes she has seen across the industry and embracing the needs of Millennials
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Analysis & Insight
Homeslice - putting pizza centre stage
With a disregard for any rules and a left-field approach to toppings, it’s clearly no traditional pizzeria. But, as Mel Flaherty found out, Homeslice is carving out a name for itself in an increasingly congested sector
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Interviews
New Diageo boss outlines spirit giant’s big plans
Diageo’s UK operations are in good form, but the spirit giant’s new boss Charles Ireland has big plans to shake things up while he’s in office
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OpinionInside Track: Eco principles in a fast food world
Eco chef Arthur Potts Dawson discusses the challenges of running fast food burger restaurant BurgerFi with sustainable principles.
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Analysis & InsightThe life of Simon
Earlier this summer, Simon Kossoff, co-founder, former chairman and chief executive of Carluccio’s, stepped down from the business, which had been his life for 17 years. He talks to Mark Wingett about the brand’s birth, development and his legacy
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Analysis & InsightPret at 30
Pret A Manger chief executive Clive Schlee talks to Mark Wingett about the key challenges facing the $1bn company as it celebrates its 30th birthday
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Analysis & Insight
Five minutes with..... Dylan Murray, Drake & Morgan
MCA talks to Drake & Morgan operations director Dylan Murray about the group’s plans for the Corney & Barrow estate; why Soho House is like no other business and why he’d like to take hospitality to the skies
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Analysis & Insight
Building the modern pub
Philip Turner, the founder of East Anglia-based The Chestnut Group, talks to MCA about building his version of the modern pub.
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Analysis & Insight
Cosy Club in the comfort zone
Loungers co-founder Jake Bishop talks to James Wallin about what the future holds for Cosy Club, why the brand is able to outpace the competition and explains the Loungers version of top trumps.
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Analysis & Insight
Affordable quality at Flat Iron
From his first pop-up to a fourth site in London, Flat Iron Steak founder Charlie Carroll has kept a cool head for business as his affordable steak concept takes off. Mel Flaherty reports
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Analysis & InsightFor the love of MOD
America’s fastest-growing restaurant chain has launched in the UK and is gearing up to introduce its ‘made-on-demand’ pizza concept and strong people values across the country. Mark Wingett catches up with MOD Pizza founder Scott Svenson and the brand’s UK chief executive John Nelson
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Analysis & InsightIndividual pursuits
Keeping itself to itself has not harmed Individual Restaurant Company, the operator of the Piccolino and Restaurant Bar & Grill brands. In fact, managing director Vernon Lord tells Mark Wingett that looking inwards is helping produce record results
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Analysis & Insight
Sweetfin tips the scales on poké
Hawaiian raw seafood speciality dish poké has set sail for the US mainland and new fast-casual chain has quickly got on board on the West Coast to make the most of this trending phenomenon. Kerstin Kühn finds out why the operator thinks it can capture the market and expand