All articles by Mark Wingett – Page 2
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Analysis & InsightThe story so far
The first half of this year has underlined the feeling that the UK’s eating and drinking-out sector is slowly, but surely pulling itself out of the downturn. Vibrancy has returned to the market, while even pub groups are looking at entering the fast casual market, but will the next six months and beyond cement this position?
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OpinionChanging of the guard
If the average tenure for a chief executive these days in a quoted business is under five years, and for those in private businesses slightly more, then Simon Kossoff, Russel Joffe, Robin Rowland, Clive Schlee, Harvey Smyth and Andrew Page, with a combined tenure of more than 60 years (an average of 10 years each), are all due for replacement at some point soon. When it happens, who from the next generation will take over?
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Analysis & InsightWise guys
It has been less than a year since its UK launch, but US better burger chain Five Guys has already made plenty of waves across the country’s eating-out sector
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OpinionWork that experience
Consumers have become ‘value hunters’ and are increasingly willing to go extra lengths to get the best deal, making it more important than ever to build the relationship that will create brand loyalty. But with this loyalty comes further expectations
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Opinion
Big shoes to fill
I like to think that if Andrew Page, the retiring chief executive of The Restaurant Group, was a footballer, say for his beloved Fulham, he would be cast in what pundits like to call the “Claude Makelele-role”. Tidy, unfussy but essential in making the rest of the team tick. Sure there have been more high-profile chief executives, but for getting the job done at a consistent and high quality level, Page’s work over the last 12 years at the Frankie & Benny’s operator will take some beating. These are big shoes to fill indeed
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Analysis & InsightVenturing forward
If I had to put forward one man who could dominate the UK’s eating and drinking-out scene over the coming 12 months, I would be hard pressed to look past Tim Bacon, the chief executive of Living Ventures
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Analysis & InsightTime to check in?
The need to provide room service has always been one of the main stumbling blocks barring a successful partnership between hotel and restaurant operators. However, a proposal by Hilton Worldwide to replace room service at its full service properties with cafeteria-style eateries as the company moves toward a more limited-service offer could finally open up new partnerships and avenues to expansion
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OpinionSector to find more space for rooms
Following the food revolution, the next growth area for the pub sector is gearing up to be accommodation, with a number of operators set to invest significant funds into growing their room stock over the coming 18-24 months and as overseas tourists return to the UK
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OpinionAvoiding the "Black Hole"
Last Wednesday’s R200 event again highlighted the sector’s ability to attract some of the best entrepreneurs and management teams in the UK, but it was also highlighted that for every success story, many concept founders can still fall down the “black hole” of business growth. At the same time, Punch Taverns will hope that the first week in December will be third time lucky for its debt restructuring proposals
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Analysis & InsightThat’s the Spirit
Spirit Pub Company has come a long way since its demerger from Punch Taverns over two years ago. However, despite consolidation in the pub sector coming back into play, reports that the Mike Tye-led group is considering a bid for rival Orchid seems at the moment a case of the business running before it can walk
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Analysis & InsightWhere to next for good ship Gondola?
Before the dust has had time to properly settle on one aborted process, reports surface that Cinven, the private equity group, which took Gondola private back in 2006 for £900m, is weighing up its options for the UK’s casual dining leader, which could include a sale of whole or part of the group. What are the options for the PizzaExpress, Zizzi, Ask Italian and Byron owner?
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Opinion
That most dangerous of beasts
A new breed of hyper-demanding shopper is emerging with redefined notions of value and loyalty – and tough expectations – for anytime and anywhere retail experiences. Swap consumer for shopper and hospitality for retail and the message remains the same across two sectors that are increasingly mergin
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Analysis & InsightHere comes the sun
While the next week or so weather wise is set to be fair, what of the next six months? What are the themes we can expect to take centre court? In two respects, it will be those that have already been with us over the first part of the year and from even further back – retail and private equity.
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Analysis & Insight
That one needs a bit longer
Last week, I was lucky enough to be invited to the US Embassy to talk with the country’s franchise expert over here to discuss not only the growing focus of US burger chains on the UK, but also look at the full range of concepts looking at crossing the pond
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Analysis & Insight
Nudge, then a push
The health debate has gone quiet recently, but don’t be lulled into complacency, it remains very much on the Government’s agenda, and the UK’s eating-out sector could find itself right in the firing line
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Opinion
Little Chef brand set to disappear
The iconic restaurant brand could disappear from the UK’s roadsides after a number of potential buyers indicated that they may want to rebrand the 83-strong business.
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NewsPatisserie Valerie to up Scotland presence
Risk Capital Partners-backed café chain to open further sites in Edinburgh and its first in Glasgow
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OpinionFull of beans
Here’s a question for you, what constitutes a coffee shop these days? According to the latest figures, there are c15,700 coffee shops in the UK,
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Analysis & Insight
Work placement
News earlier this month that Compass Group had opened its first Marks & Spencer (M&S)..
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