All interviews – Page 17
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InterviewsJDW: ‘Success comes from trying to improve all components’
Chairman Tim Martin tells MCA Wetherspoons’ core older customers who were slow to emerge post-lockdown “are now back”
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InterviewsComptoir: ‘We are confident about growing the top line this year’
CEO Nick Ayerst tells MCA how a new vision and strategy at the Lebanese group will deliver positive results in 2023
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InterviewsAmber Taverns: ‘We have the infrastructure and support to grow faster’
The wet-led operator is already averaging between 14-16 new openings year and could grow at an even faster pace if further aquisition opportunities arise, CEO James Baer tells MCA
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InterviewsEL&N lines up 20 openings this year
The boutique café brand, which operates 25 sites in the UK and internationally, is focusing on travel hubs, founder Alexandra Miller tells MCA
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InterviewsBodean’s founder keen to tap into £8bn sandwich market
Andre Blais is looking to secure a permanent site for his ‘tried and tested’ hot sub concept Gerry’s after raising c.£250k from investors
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InterviewsTossed: ‘London isn’t back to where it used to be’
With the capital’s secondary streets still relatively quiet, Tossed MD Neil Sebba tells MCA that location is everything, even if that means new sites are more expensive to acquire
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InterviewsAndy Hornby: We let our trading do the talking
The Restaurant Group CEO shrugged off shareholder interventions and pointed to encouraging trading momentum across its four divisions, including its beleaguered Leisure division
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InterviewsNick Mackenzie: We don’t need more acquisitions to improve food
The Greene King CEO hailed a solid financial performance against a very difficult backdrop, with profits up and customers returning to pubs
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InterviewsPizzaLuxe shifts focus to franchising
The gourmet pizza concept is looking to grow its partnership with SSP and other partners, following the success of its travel hub locations, founder Paul Goodale tells MCA
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InterviewsStar Pubs & Bars: ‘We are focused on premiumising the local pub experience’
The pub company is focused on enhancing the experience at its pubs in order to drive spend and appeal to a broader base of customers, Star Pubs’ property director Chris Moore told MCA.
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InterviewsHow Chotto Matte turned the pandemic to its advantage
Amid the chaos of Covid-19, Kurt Zdesar snapped up a string of big-ticket sites for his premium-casual Nikkei restaurant concept
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InterviewsEmerald Hospitality looks outward for expansion
The multiconcept business looks to fill the gap for a Spanish restaurant on a global scale with its El Norte concept, founders Arian and Alberto Zandi tell MCA
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InterviewsTortilla: ‘The opportunity in Europe is huge’
Having proven itself in the UK, the concept is now accelerating its franchising plans for mainland Europe, CEO Richard Morris and NED Francesca Tiritiello tell MCA
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InterviewsPeter Borg-Neal: ‘We will not sell for cheap’
The Oakman CEO has begun implementing an action plan to reduce central costs, build sales and improve profits, before considering exit options such as a trade sale or private equity when market conditions improve
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InterviewsWhitbread: ‘We are mindful of operating in the value restaurant space’
The group has implemented some price rises but looks to boost performance through an improved customer experience, CEO Dominic Paul tells MCA
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InterviewsLoungers: ‘It’s not revolution, it’s constant evolution’
CEO Nick Collins tells MCA the upcoming summer will be an important period, with the new Brightside concept entering its peak trading period for the first time
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InterviewsPieminister: ‘Our prime prospect is university towns’
The pie specialist plans to expand from 16 to over 100 sites, and has also seen a strong upturn in its foodservice business, co-founder Jon Simon tells MCA
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InterviewsBundobust looks to continue expanding South
The Indian street food and craft beer concept is considering Nottingham, Cardiff, and Bristol for further expansion, founders Mayur Patel and Marko Husak tell MCA
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InterviewsJamie Oliver Restaurants aims for 200-site mark by 2027
The company is focused on international growth, while moving towards an experiential-led brand in the UK, group director Ed Loftus tells MCA
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InterviewsEgo Restaurants: ‘The runway just got a lot bigger’
With Mitchells & Butlers acquiring the remaining 60% stake in the chain, Ego now has the balance sheet to accelerate expansion, CEO James Horler tells MCA