All interviews – Page 6
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InterviewsWatchHouse: ‘People who take the risks are the ones who win’
With ambitions to open 500 WatchHouse coffee shops in the next ten years, CEO Roland Horne explains how a distinctive approach to risk and legacy is emboldening the brand’s rapid expansion plans
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InterviewsCrêpeaffaire targeting 100-site mark
The crêpe specialist is targeting up to 350 sites in the next five years, including 100 in the UK as it continues its national and international rollout, founder Daniel Spinath tells MCA
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InterviewsUK’s alcohol-free beer Lucky Saint says it is not reliant on teetotallers
The start-up’s founder says customers looking to moderate their intake is the biggest driver of sales
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InterviewsUrban Baristas: ‘We’re doubling down on coffee’
As the brand eyes market towns for its next expansion move, CEO Huw Wardrope tells MCA he sees a gap in the market for speciality coffee franchising
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InterviewsBlack Sheep Coffee trading ‘exceeding all expectations’
The coffee shop operator plans to double down on UK growth this year through franchising, while launching in the US and UAE this quarter, co-founder Gabriel Shohet tells MCA
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InterviewsBenito’s: ‘Sometimes you have to break it to remake it’
As the burrito brand makes a fresh bid for expansion, CEO Mike Pearson speaks to MCA about franchise opportunities, moving into airports, and his crusade to keep the brand alive
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InterviewsPublicans brace for Dry January
Wetherspoon chairman Sir Tim Martin has said that Dry January is turning into a “minor cult,” while UKH CEO Kate Nicholls has encouraged people to support their local hospitality businesses
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InterviewsKarma Kitchen: ‘Corporate catering is booming’
The commercial kitchen operator has yet to see a slump in delivery, with demand for its central production units also growing, founders Eccie and Gini Newton tell MCA
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InterviewsMission Mars: ‘We expect strong demand for Albert’s Schloss in the South’
With Albert’s Schloss set to debut in London next year, the Manchester-based multi-site operator remains interested in large cities such as Newcastle, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Leeds, Bristol and Belfast for its bier palace concept
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InterviewsD&D London deal helps group ‘get its mojo back’
CEO David Loewi tells Restaurant that closures such as Klosterhaus and Haugen were “casualties of Covid” after working from home decimated the corporate market.
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InterviewsBAM Karaoke Box: ‘There’s always demand for something unique’
The Paris-founded premium experiential concept is soon to debut in London with a 10,000 sq ft venue that includes a full restaurant offer, CEO Arnaud Studer tells MCA
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InterviewsGail’s: ‘The key is authenticity’
With ambitions to double the size of the bakery business over the next couple of years, managing director Marta Pogroszewska says an inclusive leadership model is critical to Gail’s workforce success
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InterviewsCreams: ‘We have a maniacal focus on driving innovation’
CEO Everett Fieldgate speaks to MCA about the dessert café revolution, the brand’s hyper-fixation on innovation, and the challenges of plagiarism as a market leader.
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InterviewsDrake & Morgan: ‘We were agile enough to build a resilient model’
The bar and restaurant group is eager to explore opportunities for future growth across the UK, owing to continued investment in experiences and an all-day proposition, CEO and founder Jillian MacLean tells MCA
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InterviewsWhich Wich plots nationwide rollout
The premium sandwich specialist is looking to reach 100 sites within the next six or seven years, UK MD Rami Awada tells MCA
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InterviewsLane7: ‘We’re coming into London at a good time’
The experiential operator is targeting the 50-site mark in the UK as it gears up to launch in the capital this month, while eyeing the untapped European market next year, MD Gavin Hughes tells MCA
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InterviewsWendy’s: ‘We’ve come back with skin in the game’
The Ohio-based burger specialist, which first launched in the UK in the 1980s, returned to the market in 2021 - and MD Michael Clarke tells MCA how it’s doing things differently this time around
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InterviewsMarston’s: ‘It’s been a year of simplification’
Marston’s streamlined estate and strong set of financial results leave the pubco in good stead as incoming CEO Justin Platt takes over, CFO Hayleigh Lupino tells MCA
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InterviewsFive Guys: ‘It’s an analogue brand in a digital world’
CEO John Eckbert speaks to MCA about hitting new sales records, moving towards the 300-site mark in the UK and introducing a vegetarian offer for the first time
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InterviewsM&B: ‘All parts of the market are recovering’
CEO Phil Urban speaks to MCA about making 20-30 conversions to Ego, why Nicholson’s is the top-performing wet-led brand in the stable, and how its new smokehouse concepts is inspired by Old Orleans