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InterviewsImbiba ‘obsessed’ with the longevity of experiential leisure
Managing partner Darrel Connell tells MCA that, like casual dining, experiential leisure concepts must update and evolve to remain relevant to consumers
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Interviews
City Pub: ‘We're very confident in our numbers’
The like-for-like growth achieved by the group shows consumer demand is still very strong – but customers aren’t just going to fall at our feet, CFO Holly Elliott tells MCA.
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Interviews
Chopstix: ‘We haven’t come across a format that doesn't work for us’
MD Jon Lake speaks to MCA about proving the brand’s versatility, recovering like-for-like growth across its estate, and expanding brand awareness with the Chozen acquisition
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Interviews
Harts Group: ‘You don’t mess with something that works’
CEO Sam Hart speaks to MCA about nurturing Barrafina, Parrillan, and El Pastor, dipping into the pub sector, and where the group might go next
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Interviews
Sysco GB CEO Peter Jackson: ‘I don’t normally do interviews’
Sysco is a foodservice colossus and yet, much like its CEO in the UK, prefers to keep a low profile. In a rare interview with The Grocer, Peter Jackson opens up about the company’s plans
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Interviews
Eggslut amps up expansion
The gourmet egg concept aims to open three locations per year, and is on track to meet its target of a 15-strong estate within the next three years, MD Bruno Pires tells MCA
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Interviews
Kaspa’s Desserts refocuses on central London
The c100-strong dessert chain is looking to build its presence in central London, and is on track to meet its target of 10-15 openings this year, MD Francesco Arcadio tells MCA
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Interviews
The Alchemist: ‘We have plenty of runway to grow’
Buoyed by the performance of its London venues and the success of its new Berlin site, chief executive Simon Potts tells MCA there is significant scope to expland in the UK and internationally.
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Interviews
Pizza Pilgrims: ‘The business is overall in good shape’
The 22-strong chain is trading ahead of expectations, with a focus on menu innovation and new sites both within and outside London, co-founder Thom Elliot tells MCA
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Interviews
Itsu: The butterfly effect
Chief customer officer Neil Miller speaks to MCA about the brand’s digital progression, integrating loyalty across its restaurant and grocery businesses and the ‘silver bullet’ potential of its app
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Interviews
Mowgli: Lots of whitespace to grow in UK
Founder and CEO Nisha Katona talks to MCA about growing her Indian restaurant group – and the potential to go global under backer TriSpan
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Interviews
Budweiser’s UK president: ‘I feel very lucky that people love beer’
Brian Perkins is steering the megabrewer through a major inflection point, taking the brand ‘beyond beer’ as it steers its way through headwinds
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Interviews
Inception Group: ‘The roaring 20s will come again’
Co-founder Charlie Gilkes speaks to MCA about the London bar group’s ideas for new concepts, opportunities to grow existing brands, and its mission to create memorable experiences
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Interviews
Young’s: ‘We are optimistic for the year ahead’
Young’s saw like-for-like sales up 10% last week, with all regions except the West Country up on pre-pandemic levels and central London now its best performing region, CEO Simon Dodd tells MCA
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Interviews
Poke House: ‘Investment will kickstart UK expansion’
The international poke brand is looking to build on the nine locations it has in London, including new sites in the suburbs, its UK co-country head tells MCA
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Interviews
Gravity: ‘We’re expecting to see turnover double’
The retail, entertainment, and leisure concept plans to open a further 10 UK sites and expects to see turnover double from 2019 levels, chief growth officer Michael Harrison tells MCA
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Interviews
Lina Stores to launch own brand coffee and move to all-day offer
With an 80-year legacy behind the brand, MCA speaks to COO Éadaoin McDonagh about Lina’s upcoming sites, making the move into breakfast, and going international
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Interviews
Boom Battle Bar: ‘The aspiration is to open many more’
Richard Harpham, CEO of parent company XP Factory speaks to MCA about the long-term growth plans for concept, the development of its food offering and why Boom Battle operates in a sweet spot
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Interviews
Simmons Bars: ‘We’re planning to start national roll-out next year’
The group will open its 26th site in June and has four more in legals, including its first outside central London, CEO Nick Campbell tells MCA.
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Interviews
Karak Chaii to open 20 sites per year
The Indian street food concept is on track to reach a 25-strong estate by the end of 2023, with sites opening in Brompton and Tooting this summer, advisor Paolo Peretti tells MCA
