All Opinion articles – Page 14

  • PizzaExpress Langham Place, Oxford Circus 01
    Opinion

    Change is happening everywhere

    2019-11-18T08:45:00Z

    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?

  • IMG_2946
    Opinion

    Turtle Bay: ‘We keep away from industry noise’

    2019-11-15T08:14:00Z

    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.

  • Beyond Burger at Honest burgers
    Opinion

    The meat might be fake, but the science isn’t

    2019-11-14T08:40:00Z

    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.

  • Brandon and richard JL
    Opinion

    Wrap stars: how Tortilla won the burrito wars

    2019-11-14T08:40:00Z

    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.

  • Tim Martin
    Opinion

    Analysts’ verdict: JD Wetherspoon

    2019-11-14T08:40:00Z

    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.

  • Exterior Birmingham New Street Close Up
    Opinion

    Tim Hortons: Power play

    2019-11-12T08:26:00Z

    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.

  • IMG_7487-edit copy
    Opinion

    ETM: Redefining spectator sport

    2019-11-08T07:49:00Z

    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.

  • Chucs
    Opinion

    Chucs: bringing a slice of the Amalfi coast to West London

    2019-11-06T08:30:00Z

    Chucs chairman Graziano Arricale knows a thing or two about working for captains of British business.

  • GettyImages-1005962212
    Opinion

    Hang on to your margins

    2019-11-06T08:29:00Z

    Prestige Purchasing chairman, David Read, discusses ways in which operators can maintain, and even improve, food and drink margins, even in inflationary times.

  • GettyImages-India
    Opinion

    Going Global – India: maker and destroyer of dreams

    2019-10-30T08:03:00Z

    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.

  • Opinion

    Brigid Simmonds: ‘We can’t keep every pub open’

    2019-10-29T08:14:00Z

    Outgoing British Beer & Pub Association chief executive Brigid Simmonds examines her time in the role.

  • ML-CaffeNero_DeliRange-Salads_32561
    Opinion

    Caffe Nero: ‘We are the Waitrose of coffee’

    2019-10-28T08:29:00Z

    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.

  • 2019_09_21_ARABICA_KX_28779
    Opinion

    Middle Eastern promises: James Walters on Arabica KX

    2019-10-21T07:26:00Z

    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

  • Opinion

    How to give hospitality the personal touch

    2019-10-18T07:30:00Z

    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.

  • Electric Shuffle 2
    Opinion

    Steve Moore: ‘The development never goes away. It starts on day one, it doesn’t finish on day one.’

    2019-10-18T07:28:00Z

    Steve Moore is in jovial form when we speak a few weeks ahead of the launch of Electric Shuffle.

  • London Food and Drink Photography - Bill's Sevenoaks 13.9.19- Nic Crilly-Hargrave-299
    Opinion

    Richard Caring: 'We’re fighters. We’ll make it work by investing in the business.'

    2019-10-17T07:05:00Z

    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.

  • PizzaExpress
    Opinion

    Why Pizza Express is worth saving

    2019-10-14T07:31:00Z

    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.

  • Loungers
    Opinion

    AlixPartners: Cause for cautious optimism

    2019-10-14T07:31:00Z

    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

  • Baton Berisha (1)
    Opinion

    The Ivy Collection: ‘We have a formula that works’

    2019-10-08T07:54:00Z

    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.

  • RunningHorse_153
    Opinion

    Mosaic: A picture of health

    2019-10-07T07:37:00Z

    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.