All interviews – Page 27
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InterviewsHickory’s: ‘We made a lot of mistakes along the way’
Following last year’s acquisition by Greene King, MCA visits Hickory’s MD John Welsh in Huddersfield to hear about the potential for the smokehouse concept to become a truly national brand - and the authority on American BBQ in the UK
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InterviewsPassing the Baton: the man charged with The Wolseley Hospitality Group’s growth
Charged with leading its growth and evolution, Baton Berisha is looking to bring a contemporary flavour to the group’s more classical approach
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InterviewsBeds & Bars: ‘The UK isn’t an attractive place to invest’
The bars and hostel operator is investing £2m on its existing estate, while focusing its attention on expanding in mainland Europe
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InterviewsDavid Page: ‘We’re cheaper than Pret a Manger’
Amid the collapse of high street chains, the Fulham Shore executive chairman said Franco Manca has prospered by streamlining its menu and ensuring value for money
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InterviewsToridoll: ‘We fell in love with Franco Manca’
Speaking at a media event in London, Toridoll president and CEO Takaya Awata said he sees global scope to expand the Franco Manca brand, which made for an attractive acquisition due to strong synergies with the Japanese food conglomerate’s diverse portfolio
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InterviewsMW Eat looks to go beyond London
The Indian restaurant group will likely expand its Masala Zone concept outside the capital in the next three years, while looking for opportunities to go international, chairman Ranjit Mathrani tells MCA
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InterviewsLoungers’ share price ‘obviously frustrating’
CEO Nick Collins speaks to MCA about the mystery of the group’s disappointing valuation, why seaside towns are thriving and how the group is “back at the top of our game” on food innovation
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InterviewsBone Daddies reports ‘consistent demand’
The group, operator of Bone Daddies Ramen, Flesh & Buns, and Shackfuyu, posted £17.3m in revenue for the year ended September 2022
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InterviewsWetherspoon: ‘Big city centres are really rocking’
Chairman Tim Martin tells MCA that city centres have been major contributors to recent strong trading, along with food being an “ever bigger contributor” to sales
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InterviewsFB Taverns: Wet-led pubs ‘very resilient’
Speaking after FB Taverns acquired a package of 27 tenanted pubs from Cameron’s Brewery, co-founder James Maizels says there’s a good opportunity to enter the pub market “from a value perspective”
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InterviewsHop Vietnamese pushes ahead with expansion
The Vietnamese QSR concept will likely reach the 10-site mark next year, and is in talks with franchise partners for travel hubs, founder Paul Hopper tells MCA
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InterviewsAlan Yau: People don’t want to work 40+ hours anymore
The Wagamama founder speaks to MCA about post-Covid working patterns, revisiting his 33-year-old idea of a Chinese QSR chain, and why the generic concept of the restaurateur is dead
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InterviewsNorth Brewing Co looks to double estate
The Leeds-based operator and brewer will ensure its offering remains premium as it expands its Taproom concept across the country, director John Gyngell tells MCA
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InterviewsCaravan: ‘We’ve always wanted to go outside London’
CEO Laura Harper-Hinton speaks to MCA about venuring outside the capital, international potential, and maintaining growth
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InterviewsJoe & the Juice sees ‘no signs of slowdown’ in the UK
CEO Thomas Nørøxe speaks to MCA about reporting £195m in sales, further expansion in Greater London, and focusing on the coffee offer
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InterviewsAlan Yau: ‘Restaurants are too capital intensive’
The Wagamama founder tells MCA about his next venture, a plant-based ramen food product created for retail that builds on the success of the casual dining concept he founded in 1992
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InterviewsHickory’s: ‘There’s scope to take this much further’
MD John Welsh speaks to MCA about the Greene King acquisition, maintaining slow and steady expansion, and becoming a “truly national” brand
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InterviewsWingstop: ‘We see opportunity for 250-300 restaurants’
Master franchisee Lemon Pepper Holdings’ co-founders speak to MCA about a 45% rise in like-for-like sales, driving growth across channels, and disrupting a “stagnant” restaurant scene
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InterviewsI am Döner aims for 50
The ‘better kebab’ concept is looking to reach an estate of 50 sites in two years, while making its London debut with a flagship city centre store, founder Paul Baron tells MCA
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InterviewsBunsik targeting further growth in London
The Korean street food concept is opening in first site outside the capital in Manchester, but remains focused on solidifying its London presence, group director Jae Cho tells MCA