All Opinion articles – Page 14
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Opinion
Change is happening everywhere
Seismic shifts are sweeping through the sector thanks to a combination of M&A, technological developments and consumer behaviour. Who knows what’s going to happen next?
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Opinion
Turtle Bay: ‘We keep away from industry noise’
Turtle Bay has had a quiet two years, but with reinforcements to the senior team and turnover approaching £70m, the Caribbean social concept looks to be making moves for a sale. In a rare interview, founder Ajith Jayawickrema explains how the bar and restaurant brand has the potential for 100 sites – but not necessarily under his stewardship.
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Opinion
The 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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Opinion
Wrap stars: how Tortilla won the burrito wars
Brandon Stephens and Richard Morris’ Californian-inspired brand Tortilla has come out on top in the burrito wars and looks to be eyeing a sale, writes Restaurant magazine’s Joe Lutrario.
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Opinion
Analysts’ verdict: JD Wetherspoon
Analysts at JP Morgan Cazenove and Goodbody share their reactions to the latest trading update from JD Wetherspoon and how it’s impacted their forecasts.
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Opinion
Tim Hortons: Power play
Tim Hortons may not be a household name in the UK yet, but if the QSR brand’s growth in North America is anything to go by, it soon could be. Georgi Gyton speaks to master franchisee SK Group’s chief commercial officer Kevin Hydes on its plans to steal market share.
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Opinion
ETM: Redefining spectator sport
Redwood has not been open for 24 hours when we meet, but ETM co-founder Ed Martin is already feeling confident about his latest sports bar.
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Opinion
Chucs: bringing a slice of the Amalfi coast to West London
Chucs chairman Graziano Arricale knows a thing or two about working for captains of British business.
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Opinion
Hang on to your margins
Prestige Purchasing chairman, David Read, discusses ways in which operators can maintain, and even improve, food and drink margins, even in inflationary times.
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Opinion
Going Global – India: maker and destroyer of dreams
In his latest column Going Global column for MCA, international franchising expert Jasper Reid discusses the huge opportunities to be had in the country of contradiction – and why scale, and a long-term view, is key.
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Opinion
Brigid Simmonds: ‘We can’t keep every pub open’
Outgoing British Beer & Pub Association chief executive Brigid Simmonds examines her time in the role.
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Opinion
Caffe Nero: ‘We are the Waitrose of coffee’
With a new artisan fresh food range, Caffe Nero believes it has consolidated its premium edge over high street rivals. As the offering is rolled out and the store estate revamped, UK CEO Will Stratton-Morris explains why Caffe Nero is the Waitrose of the coffee house sector.
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Opinion
Middle Eastern promises: James Walters on Arabica KX
James Walters has opened a second incarnation of his Levantine-inspired restaurant concept Arabica. A lot has changed, but what remains is the chef’s determination to steadily evolve the brand
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Opinion
How to give hospitality the personal touch
Using machine learning and AI could deliver huge benefits to hospitality, but there are challenges. MCA and Punchh brought together marketing and IT directors to discuss how best to do it.
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Opinion
Steve Moore: ‘The development never goes away. It starts on day one, it doesn’t finish on day one.’
Steve Moore is in jovial form when we speak a few weeks ahead of the launch of Electric Shuffle.
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Opinion
Richard Caring: 'We’re fighters. We’ll make it work by investing in the business.'
A year ago, Richard Caring told MCA how Bill’s needed a “bit of love as it got left behind”. With a major refurbishment programme well underway, the investment seems to be paying off. Finn Scott-Delany catches up with Mr Caring and Bill’s executive chairman David Campbell.
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Opinion
Why Pizza Express is worth saving
There are many theories why Pizza Express, the largest casual dining chain in the UK with 490 sites, has slid into such a massive pile of debt.
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Opinion
AlixPartners: Cause for cautious optimism
The M&A market for UK restaurant operators remains cautious, with distressed situations making up the majority of activity. However, several high-profile transactions completed in 2019, with investors still willing to pay a premium price in certain circumstances, says AlixPartners’ Graeme Smith
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Opinion
The Ivy Collection: ‘We have a formula that works’
With five new openings in November including a second Asian concept in St Paul’s, The Ivy Collection is confidently bringing its aspirational glamour across the UK. Ahead of a busy month, managing director Baton Berisha discusses his workaholic tendencies, executing Richard Caring’s vision, and the group’s unique formula for success.
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Opinion
Mosaic: A picture of health
Having reached close to 30 sites over the past four years, Georgi Gyton met with the joint chief executives of Mosaic Pub & Dining to find out more about the pub operator’s growth so far and what the future holds.