All Leon articles – Page 7
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NewsHow can tech ease the customer journey?
Greggs, Leon and Wagamama are just the latest to join the self-ordering revolution, with the latter’s new grab and go concept Mamago one of the most hotly discussed openings of last year. To share their early exeperiences and more, MCA brought together marketing, IT and digital leaders from across the sector to consider how new technology can help, and sometimes hinder, the customer experience
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NewsReview of the Year part One
Amid a backdrop of casual dining carnage and CVAs around every corner, the industry had plenty of news in 2019. But Pizza Express delivered drama. With 490 sites in the UK, Pizza Express is a national institution. So when it announced a net debt pile of £1.1bn earlier this year, and premature rumours of its demise hit the airwaves, the country rallied itself in the way it does best these days – by keyboard.
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NewsLabour’s new challenge to business
Labour is going to be a major headache in 2020. No, not the political party, but something potentially just as damaging to business if it doesn’t get it right. Staff shortages continue to blight the hospitality sector, and how to attract, retain, engage and motivate the best people is not going to get any easier. Even investors are now putting people at the top of board agendas ahead of property.
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NewsFast-moving grown-up Coco di Mama ‘can do’
Carbs and caffeine is a formula that has fuelled Coco di Mama’s expansion well. The fast-casual brand has been deftly serving long queues of office workers just that since 2011. This sweet spot customer, the 25-35-year-old affluent City worker, was the genesis of the brand in Fleet Street. While this core demographic served Coco well in its early years, a new management team last year realised it needed to broaden its appeal if it was to continue its expansion into adulthood.
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Analysis & InsightThe Epipen epidemic - how is the industry coping with allergens?
It lurks within the industry like a parasite. With every order comes its next opportunity, with every new dish a new hiding place. A matter of when, not if, the next fatal allergen waits to be served. With the number of allergy sufferers on the rise, particularly among young people, one ill-informed waiter or one poorly labelled sandwich could mean the death of a child, and, potentially, the death of a business.
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NewsLeon to open further sites with SSP
Leon is to expand its partnership with travel hub operator SSP, with a new opening planned for Cobham Services on the M25, MCA understands.
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OpinionThe meat might be fake, but the science isn’t
With global sales of meat alternatives predicted to grow from 1% to 10% of total consumption over the next decade, operators should not ignore the generational shift in the way consumers think about food and how it’s produced, writes MCA contributing editor Peter Martin.
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NewsUpton made CEO of No 1 Lounges
Former Leon managing director John Upton has been appointed permanent CEO at No 1 Lounges, MCA understands.
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NewsPatisserie Valerie unveils its vision of the future
The bakery chain is overhauling its menu and branding, promising ‘no more frozen pies in microwaves’. But can its new owners secure its place on the high street?
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NewsYo! to trial grab and go concept in Manchester
Yo! is to trial an express format restaurant designed for customers on the go, like a “Japanese version of Leon”, MCA’s sister title Big Hospitality reports.
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OpinionThinking outside the lunch box
Lunch visits are falling in frequency, but are there ways restaurants can work around, or with, this change in customer habits? Tony Naylor puts his thoughts on paper for MCA’s sister title Restaurant.
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NewsBowl food concept Sow shuts debut
Bowl food concept Sow has closed its debut site after just a few months of trading.
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NewsSustainable Restaurant Association backs climate-friendly foods
The Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA) has launched a new initiative called Foodprint to help restaurants and foodservice companies to use more eco-friendly ingredients.
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NewsSourced Market to open regional debut in Leeds
Sourced Market revealed plans to open a 4,500 sq ft site on a new motorway service site currently under construction in Leeds.
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Analysis & InsightPolitics matters… sometimes
Consumers are increasingly concerned about where their food comes from, and while public debate may offer conflicting views, it seems the Government is listening. Peter Martin, MCA contributing editor, discusses the launch of its national food strategy and why hospitality needs to get involved.
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NewsJust Eat acquires City Pantry to enter B2B catering
Just Eat has snapped up City Pantry for an initial £16m.
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News
Shaftesbury announces Blue Turtle ocean scheme
Shaftesbury has announced a collaboration with ocean conservation organisation Project 0 to encourage the restaurant, bar and café community of Carnaby to take action to protect the ocean.
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NewsTurtle Bay appoints Be At One’s Gregory as ops director
Adam Gregory has left Be At One to join Turtle Bay as its new operations director.
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News
A climate of change that can be good for business
With public attitudes shifting increasingly towards sustainability, the pressure is mounting on businesses to communicate how they are playing their part. MCA contributing editor, Peter Martin, calls on hospitality operators to get involved and make their voices heard
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NewsLeon lines up Northampton site with Roadchef
Leon has lined up a new opening through its growing partnership with Roadchef, at its motorway service area in Northampton, MCA has learnt.