All Interview articles – Page 6
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Analysis & Insight
Ready to Ignite
There may have been a few recent wrinkles that are being ironed out, but Matt Hermer and his Ignite Group are financially firing on all cylinders and looking confidently ahead to expansion
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Analysis & InsightA tale of two Cities
City Pub Company East and West – the latest venture from the Capital Pub Company founders – is targeting 30 sites by 2017 and a listing on AIM. James Wallin met the chief executives of both companies to find out about the focus on hubs, incentivising staff and why gimmicks don’t work
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Analysis & InsightBringing late nights back to life
Since rescuing the country’s largest nightclub operator from administration four years ago, Peter Marks has sets about re-establishing its position at the heart of the late-night sector. With a new identity, new brands and a reinvested, reinvigorated estate, what does the future hold for the Deltic Group? James Wallin finds out
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OpinionGym buddies
With the opening of the vast German Gymnasium in King’s Cross as well as a revamp of a number of its most recognisable sites, D&D London has smartened up its act, says Stefan Chomka
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Analysis & InsightFive minutes with… Jamie Barber: Cabana
M&C takes five minutes to talk to Jamie Barber, the restaurateur behind the Cabana and Hush Brasserie, about a billion dollar idea and the looming rise in living wage
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Analysis & InsightPlenty more where Jamies’ came from
Heralded by some as the saviour of the UK’s eating-out sector during the downturn, where does Jamie’s Italian stand now and can it stay ahead here while ramping up expansion overseas? Jamie Oliver Restaurant Group chief executive Simon Blagden tells Mark Wingett that it can
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Analysis & InsightBurrito boy
Mel Flaherty talks to Barburrito chief executive Morgan Davies about how his cosmopolitan background has influenced his career choices and why he has “no issues with Barburrito becoming a 50-site business”
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Analysis & Insight
Five minutes with…Luke Bishop, Polpo
M&C takes five minutes with Luke Bishop, managing director of Polpo, and talks about cliff-top dining, enthusiastic staff and delivering hospitality excellence at 35,000ft
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Analysis & InsightPunch's Garrood on going forward
Duncan Garrood, chief executive of Punch Taverns talks to M&C about his first few months in charge and his vision for the future. He explains why he is ‘furious’ at some criticism levelled at the company, why the pubs code has already had unintended consequences, sets out his view on a VAT cut and explains why the company would consider carrying out its own sensitive redevelopments of surplus land around pubs.
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Analysis & InsightLet’s go to the HOP
From a lightbulb moment in southeast Asia, Paul Hopper has spent two-and-a-half years developing and honing his idea for a grab-and-go Vietnamese takeaway concept, HOP. Ruth Williams reports
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Analysis & InsightFive minutes with… Simon Wilkinson: La Tasca
M&C takes five minutes to talk with Simon Wilkinson, who heads up the recently acquired La Tasca about Michelin experiences in Wales and the problem with lunching in London
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Analysis & InsightKing of the pack
Almost two years on from its change in ownership, there is a steely determination from founder Tom Byng and his team to make sure Byron remains a proper restaurant business that is sustainable for many years
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Analysis & InsightFive minutes with... Alex Moore: Rosa's Thai
M&C takes five minutes to talk to Alex Moore, founder of Rosa’s Thai Cafe about investors, growing up one day and how the Marty McFly dream could become a reality
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Analysis & Insight
Wear there’s a will…
Wear Inns co-founder John Weir tells James Wallin why he looks to his staff for innovation, how pubs can outmanoeuvre the restaurant sector and about plans to grow to as many as 60 sites
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Analysis & Insight
An executive decision
Jocky Petrie has been a driving force behind The Fat Duck for more than a decade and he’s now bringing this experience to the Gordon Ramsay Group. Joe Lutrario catches up with him on development duty
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Analysis & InsightFocused on being simply the best
Forty one years on from managing Whitbread’s Bull Inn in the village of Barming, near Maidstone, Kent, Ian Payne, the chairman of Stonegate Pub Company, is still as enthusiastic about the pub sector as he ever has been
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Analysis & InsightBlanc canvas for future star
Rising Star award winner Richard Ferrier tells Ruth Williams about his how his career at Brasserie Blanc has taken off thanks to the belief shown by bosses at the restaurant chain.
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Analysis & Insight
Casual-dining brand is real deal
A relentless pursuit of consistency and quality has placed Côte at the forefront of the UK’s casual-dining sector and recently seen the business change hands in a c£250m deal. Mark Wingett talks to joint managing directors Harald Samuelsson and Alex Scrimgeour about how this ‘traditional’ concept is staying ahead of the game
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Analysis & InsightCrunch period for taco kings
Wahaca has entered its most significant year since its launch in 2007, Co-founder Mark Selby has his eye on the company becoming the mid-market equivalent to lifestyle brand Soho House. Mark Wingett reports
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Analysis & Insight
Five minutes with…. Chris Hill, New World Trading Company
M&C takes five minutes with Chris Hill, managing director of New World Trading Company, to talk about future growth, the twin challenges of soaring property prices and wage pressures and who is doing something special in the sector.