All Opinion articles – Page 21
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Opinion
Diary: Punch Bowl Social
Not one to pass up gossip on a new experiential venue opening, MCA understands that US operator Punch Bowl Social is eyeing a site in the capital.
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Opinion
If Amazon ran a restaurant group, how would it use data?
The role that data plays in the running of a restaurant business was debated by Jamie Oliver Group’s Jon Knight, Gavin Adair of Rosa’s Thai Café and Gary Goodman of Yumpingo at last month’s Hostech conference.
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Opinion
Navigating the debt landscape
With the well-publicised issues facing the UK’s hospitality sector, many would believe that lenders are steering clear. However, despite clear caution, debt options remain available to the right businesses, write Jacco Brouwer and Thomas Paterson of AlixPartners
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Opinion
Playing the long game
Yesterday, it was revealed that EAT has appointed advisory firm Spayne Lindsay to review its options. On the back of this, James Wallin speaks to chief executive Andrew Walker about the turnaround of the business, its international ambitions and why any sale process is 12 to 18 months away.
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OpinionThe value of humble leadership
The latest Savannah Boardroom lunch saw senior executives discuss the merits of humility in leadership. Tim Clouting asks whether this approach is an effective way to build trust or just a myth peddled by management gurus.
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OpinionInterview with an innovator: Saiphin Moore
The sale of her stake in Rosa’s Thai Café has not sated the Saiphin Moore’s appetite for the restaurant business. As well as her Lao Café concept, she is developing new brand, Slurp. Here, she talks to Sarah Sharples, of MCA’s sister title, Food Spark, about how far Thai food has come in London since she landed 14 years ago, the dishes she is proud to have put on the menu and her disinterest in a Michelin star.
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OpinionA welcome success story for the coffee and cake market
Last week, Caffé Nero acquired a significant stake in Coffee#1, the premium coffee shop operator , from SA Brain. Fraser Anderson, of Sapient Corporate Finance – the sole financial adviser to SA Brain on the transaction – discusses the background to the deal and what it means for the wider market.
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OpinionTo CVA or not to CVA?
The Company Voluntary Arrangement has been the solution of choice for several high-profile operators looking to reshape their businesses over the past few years. Ted Schama, of Shelley Sandzer, asks when the process will reach a saturation point and looks at other examples of how operators and landlords have negotiated a new way forward.
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OpinionThree by three is Arc’s inspiration
Veteran bar operator Martin Wolstencroft is aiming to double his Arc Inspirations estate in the next four years – and has strengthened his board and appointed advisors to guide the process. He talks to James Wallin about clusters, culture and deskilling the kitchen
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OpinionNanny state pressures set to come to a head in 2019
A string of proposals, consultations and leaked reports on possible Government interference in the way food and drink is sold should be seen as a “wake-up call to the sector”, experts have said.
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Opinion
The disruptive lender
OakNorth, lender to Inception, Brasserie Bar Co and Leon, on why it is backing the hospitality sector.
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Opinion
Changing through the gears
On the back of securing investment from private equity group TriSpan, Mark Wingett speaks to Thunderbird Fried Chicken founder Matt Harris, new chief executive Marcel Khan, and property director Kieran Sherlock about what that means for the business, and looks at what it means for the wider better chicken category, which could be set to take off after several false starts.
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Opinion
Crowdfunding round-up
The latest investment news from the crowd, including Three Joes, Breakfast Club, Pachamama and Matt Gillan.
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OpinionBrand Watch: ZA by PizzaExpress
Following yesterday’s revelation that PizzaExpress is launching a new brand, ZA, taking it into the food to go sector, James Wallin takes a closer look at how the company looked to the past to create a new vision for the future.
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OpinionWaxing lyrical about new GK boss
Yesterday saw the long-awaited revelation of who will replace Rooney Anand as chief executive of Greene King, with Merlin’s Nick Mackenzie set to join as chief executive in May. James Wallin looks at Mackenzie’s background, gauges initial reaction to his appointment and asks what will be at the top of his in-tray.
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OpinionFull steam ahead
With its eye on store numbers in the triple figures, Georgi Gyton speaks to Roosters Piri Piri about its ambitious growth plans, how delivery is changing its property strategy and why the operator has made innovation the lifeblood of its business.
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OpinionCool beans: The growth of speciality coffee
As Department of Coffee and Social Affairs and others make moves in the specialty coffee space, Finn Scott-Delany looks at the scope for growth and consolidation in the market.
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OpinionListed life is elementary for dear Watson
A year on from City Pub Group’s IPO, chairman Clive Watson talks to James Wallin about growing pains, avoiding the “corporate haze”, the enduring attraction of “wet-led boozers” and what he has learnt from operating a vegan pub.
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Opinion
The pirates of pizza
As one of the newest players in the burgeoning pizza sector, Radio Alice is out to get Londoners on its wavelength. Stefan Chomka, editor of MCA’s sister title, Restaurant Magazine, meets the founders, Matteo and Salvatore Aloe, and managing director, Emma King, to discuss tapping into the UK casual dining scene and the partnership with the Azzurri Group.
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OpinionCup of Joe is recipe for global success
Joe & the Juice has developed from cool Copenhagan start-up to a global purveyor of juice, coffees and sandwiches. While it has targets across the world, the UK remains its key growth driver, as managing director Johny Fraser tells Mel Flaherty