All Loungers articles – Page 7
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Analysis & InsightAlixPartners: The bar remains open
While it has certainly become more challenging to secure investment in parts of the restaurant market, the past 12 months has seen continued M&A and investment activity across the pub and bar space. The breadth of this activity highlights the current strength of this part of the sector, and this trend does not look like slowing anytime soon, argues AlixPartners’ Graeme Smith.
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Analysis & InsightPub menus: Quantity over quality?
MCA market insight director Steve Gotham looks at whether the increases seen in pub menu counts are sustainable, particularly when extensive menu choice is not a particularly high-ranking consumer need.
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NewsPub sector predicted to outperform wider market
Quality, experience and localisation are all key trends driving the growth of the pub sector, Gareth Nash, insights director at MCA told delegates at the Pub Conference.
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NewsLoungers appoints non-exec director to the board
Loungers has appointed Robert Darwent to the company’s board of directors as a non-executive director, with immediate effect.
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NewsChristie & Co predicts increase in sizeable transactions in pub sector
An increase in sizeable transactions in the pub sector, through the remainder of 2019, has been predicted by Christie & Co in its latest review of the pub sector.
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NewsLoungers updates on pipeline, hits 150 milestone
Loungers has updated on its opening programme with the launch of its 150th site - Fosso Lounge in Wells, Somerset - which brings it to 125 Lounges and 25 Cosy Clubs.
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NewsLoungers see no reason for momentum to stall
Loungers sees no reason why the momentum of its openings should falter, chief executive Nick Collins, told MCA, as it aims for 20 Lounges and five Cosy Club openings this year.
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NewsLoungers lfls up 6.9%
Loungers has announced a trading update, with like for like sales growth of 6.9% for the year ending 21 April 2019.
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NewsMay 2019
This month’s print edition of MCA examines the challenges associated with the proposed increase in the minimum wage. We hear from senior sector figures that the Government needs to propose a joined-up solution to ensuring fair pay for all. We also speak to the chief executive and chairman of Loungers about their IPO and why they are certain it will not change the company culture. We are also profiling Taco Bell as the US giant makes it second time lucky in its bid to expand across the UK. Established operator YO! Sushi, meanwhile, is reinventing itself to appeal to an evolving consumer basis, chief executive Richard Hodgson tells us. Plus, we kick off our series of features with the winners of the 2019 Retailers’ Retailer of the Year Awards by interviewing the founders of Caravan.
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Analysis & InsightRate of decline for wet-led pubs slows
The long-term clear out of unsustainable wet-let pubs and bars appears to be nearing its end – in part reflecting the recent success of compelling premium drinks offers and getting the balance right with food, the latest market snapshot from CGA and AlixPartners indicates.
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News
TGI Fridays and Cosy Club confirmed for Chelmsford
TGI Fridays and Cosy Club have been confirmed for Meadows retail park in Chelmsford, which is due to open in late 2020.
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OpinionLoungers: ‘We trial everything’
Loungers’ head of food, Antony Bennett, talks to FoodSpark’s Sarah Sharples about how he brings in new food trends at Lounge and Cosy Club, the ingredients he is using to add layers of flavour and why new menus are always trialled on real customers.
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OpinionThe end of the beginning
Loungers’ admission to AIM at the end of last month caps a remarkable 17-year growth story, but as chief executive Nick Collins and chairman Alex Reilley tell James Wallin, they are only just getting started. They discuss the learnings from the IPO and the next steps for Loungers, including the potential for further sites in big cities as well as an eventual entry to the Scottish market.
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NewsLoungers introduces employee share ownership scheme
Loungers is to offer shares in the newly listed business to its longest serving employees, MCA understands.
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Analysis & InsightSoft skills development is vital for multi-unit managers
Promoting a general manager to one with multi-unit responsibilities is not always as straight forward a process as operators may think, if the employee is to perform at their best. Former Turtle Bay operations director and founder of Purple Story, a people-focused consultancy, Karen Turton discusses why soft skills are so important in the experience economy.
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NewsLoungers AIM shares open at a premium
Loungers’ shares were officially admitted to AIM this morning, with trading beginning at a premium.
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OpinionCoronation street
For any company succession planning is an absolute priority but for founder-led businesses it can present particular challenges. How can you ever replace a founder and how should they be involved in the process? MCA editor James Wallin talks to recruitment experts to get their view on the pitfalls of managing succession. They discuss what the sector can learn from examples such as Loungers as well as examining a high-profile internal promotion yesterday, in James Spragg’s succession to chief executive at Casual Dining Group.
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NewsLoungers raises £83m through IPO
Loungers, the 146-strong café-bar group, has announced it has raised £83.3m through its IPO with admission to AIM on 29 April.
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NewsRunners and riders highlight health of sector
What sets the companies riding high in the AlixPartners Growth Company Index apart from their peers and able to continue to perform in the face of unprecedented headwinds? Graeme Smith and Craig Rachel take a closer look at the what this year’s list tells us about wider trends in the sector.
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NewsAlixPartners Growth Company Index 2019 Top 50
This year saw MCA once again team up with AlixPartners to identify the fastest growing companies in the UK eating and drinking out sector. The following is the top 50 in full.