Karen Forrester, who has led the reinvigoration and growth of TGI Friday’s in the UK, has been singled out by her peers as the stand-out individual in the eating-out and drinking-out market.
The managing director of the iconic bar-restaurant brand collected the Best Individual prize at this year’s Retailers’ Retailer of the Year Awards, organised by M&C Report.
Forrester emerged from an assorted shortlist of eminent business leaders from the eating and drinking-out market, narrowly beating: Andy Bassadone, chief executive of Cote; Mark Derry, chief executive of Brasserie Blanc; John Derkach, managing director Costa Coffee; Steve Hill, chief executive of Wagamama and Jillian MacLean, managing director of Drake & Morgan.
The awards, in their 14th year, are unique in that they are the only ones voted for by senior executives from the industry itself. They are, therefore, a true reflection of what the market thinks, identifying the best companies, concepts and individuals.
Forrester joined TGI Friday’s in 2007 and over the last five years has been the driving force behind re-energising and refocusing one of the most iconic brands in the world of casual dining.
She has overseen over two year’s of continuous growth, while at the same time, the chain has continued to achieve high standards of service and offer.
In addition to the individual award, TGI’s also collected the Evolution Award on the night. The work carried out by Forrester and her team in re-energising the 50-strong chain has been so impressive that the look and feel of its revamped sites have become an influence on the international chain’s units around the globe.
The group narrowly beat La Tasca, Mitchells & Butlers, Novus Leisure and Zizzi to collect the award.
The prestigious awards, which took place on 7th March at The Dorchester on London’s Park Lane, take their name because they identify retailing excellence in an eating and drinking-out environment. Market positioning, great products, attention to detail and flawless execution are the hallmarks of past and present winners.
Nando’s, the fast-casual chicken restaurant chain led by David Niven, was named Best Company, narrowly beating Mitchells & Butlers, McDonald’s, Prezzo and Whitbread.
The Zolfo Cooper Profit Tracker Award, a new award for this year’s event, which tracks companies with the fastest-growing profits within the UK’s eating and drinking out sector, was collected by Cote, the impressive French bistro chain.
The Rising Star prize went to Alex Reilley, the managing director of Loungers, the fast-growing multi-site bar and restaurant operator.
Brasserie Blanc’s c£9m acquisition of the Chez Gerard chain was named Deal of the Year, whilst Be At One, the cocktail bar chain, was named Best Concept.
Hill Capital, the investment vehicle led by Paul Campbell, which backs Hawksmoor, Tortilla and Vinoteca, was named Investor of the Year.
Pho, the highly-regarded Vietnamese street food restaurant chain led and founded by Stephen and Juliette Wall, won the Best Emerging Concept award.
The Best Venue award went to the Jamie’s Italian restaurant in London’s Threadneedle Street.
The awards were generously supported by event partners, Barclays Corporate, BDO LLP, Coca-Cola Enterprises, iDraught, Miller Brands, Olswang, Pernod Ricard, Zolfo Cooper and Zonal Retail Data Systems.
The process to determine the winners saw an 800-strong bank of senior operators, industry experts and suppliers - known as the Retailers’ Academy - nominate the shortlists in each category. The shortlists were then sent back out to the Academy for final voting, with the finalists with the most votes emerging as the winners.
