All Opinion articles – Page 23
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OpinionThe tip that became a shove
The brief announcement at the foot of the Conservative Party conference yesterday that the Government would finally push forward legislation on tipping, was met with carefully worded statements of support from several high-profile brands. Off-the-record, however, operators were seething at the manner in which this has been announced and the lack of detail provided. James Wallin rounds up some of the sector’s concerns about this tipping point.
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Opinion
All Shep-shape
Shepherd Neame reports its full-year results tomorrow after announcing a recent flurry of acquisitions. Stuart Stone of MCA’ sister title, the Morning Advertiser, spoke to chief executive Jonathan Neame about 300 years of history and the opportunities that lie ahead.
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OpinionProceeding with due care
In a rare interview, sector investor Richard Caring, alongside new Ivy Collection chief executive and Bill’s chairman David Campbell, talks to Mark Wingett about the future of the high street; the impact of the uncertainty over Brexit; the market in general; and the next stages of development for Bill’s and the Ivy Collection
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Opinion
A glass half full
Closing in on the 20-site mark, Veeno has reached a fork in the road for future development. Georgi Gyton spoke to co-founder Nino Caruso about the journey so far, and which direction the company might head in
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OpinionQ&A with Simon Smith, SSP
MCA talks to Simon Smith, chief executive of SSP UK & Ireland, about partnerships, the evolution of the travel hub market and developing new concepts
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Opinion
Smile and smile and be a crocodile
In his latest Going Global column, international franchising expert, Jasper Reid, looks at the questions brands should be asking to ensure any move overseas is a smart commercial decision.
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OpinionWhy the institutions have an insatiable appetite for pubs
Turmoil in the retail market and the UK pensions crisis have shifted institutional property investment to an alternative sector. Mark Sheehan, of Coffer Corporate Leisure, explains why the public house market is offering stability and how both investors and operators can capitalise
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Opinion
Pizza Hut seeks marginal gains in a heated market
While the restaurant sector was seeing an explosion of growth, Pizza Hut Restaurants remained focused on consolidating and investing in its estate. Chief executive Jens Hofma, who led the management buyout of the business this year, talks to James Wallin about a return to growth, his concerns about the sector’s obsession with like-for-like sales growth over protecting margins and his frustration that responsible operators have been penalised in the CVA era.
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OpinionWhat next for Whitbread?
Dominic Walsh looks at what the future is likely to hold for Whitbread following the sale of Costa to Coca-Cola. He asks whether Pure is being lined up to repeat Costa’s success story and where the deal leaves Premier Inn, as well as speculating on whether this marks the beginning of the end for Whitbread as a corporate entity, and how many tears would be shed over its demise.
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Opinion'Extreme' US brewers eye UK craft legacy
Founders Brewing Co’s Mike Stevens speaks to MCA about the inspiration between the US and UK, building a legacy brewery and the benefits of selling out
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OpinionInside track: I’ll get my Cote
A buried paragraph at the end of a story on GBK facing a CVA, suggested that Cote was exploring a possible merger and had held early talks about a tie-up with a listed company. Mark Wingett looks at what listed company would be a good fit for the French restaurant chain. He also explores what went wrong at GBK and why Gaucho’s new owners have swapped Meakin for Martin (Williams)
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OpinionAnalysts corner: Morgan Stanley on Whitbread
Following the news last week that Whitbread is to sell Costa Coffee to Coca-Cola, leading analyst Jamie Rollo from Morgan Stanley asks what’s next for Whitbread, now the focus has shifted to Premier Inn?
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Opinion
Analysts corner: Peel Hunt on TRG
Recommending shareholders sell, analysts from Peel Hunt give their take on TRG’s results this morning.
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OpinionThe future’s bright, but it’s not retail
The supposed death of the high street has been a common debate over the past few years but what is being done to bring our town centres back to life, and how does F&B fit into this? Simon Stenning gives his view.
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Opinion
New era for maturing Searcys
Searcys, the 1847-founded caterer and restaurant operator, is celebrating its past while looking to the future with a number of new developments. Managing director Matt Thomas talks about his vision for a contemporary and relevant operator. Finn Scott-Delany reports
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OpinionAnalysts corner: Goodbody on The Restaurant Group
In advance of The Restaurant Group’s interim results announcement next week, Goodbody’s Paul Ruddy says it is encouraged by both the openings and format conversions being undertaken by the group, and believes there is evidence of a turnaround in like-for-likes in H2.
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OpinionThe winds of change
Sector analyst Simon French looks at the key trends affecting the eating and drinking-out sector in 2018, including the increasing importance of convenience and effective use of technology. He also discusses the differing approaches of some of the industry’s most notable investors, and why argues that now is not the time for operators to ease up on innovation.
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OpinionBeyond the bonus
Award-winning hospitality employers share insights on the benefits and rewards helping engage and motivate their teams. Jo Bruce reports
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OpinionWhat's next for Bundobust?
Operating in the North, this brand has its eyes set on the trends in India and developing its vegetarian offer further, as MCA’s sister title Food Spark found out.
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OpinionOff The Table, with Matt Snell
Matt Snell, managing director of Gusto, speaks to MCA about how Instagram is influencing menu development, its future focus on delivery and why data social media data is so valuable.