All Opinion articles – Page 28
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OpinionSupply chain saga acts as wake-up call
The dramatic collapse of Conviviality, closely following other supply dilemmas for KFC and customers of Russell Hume, has shone the spotlight on the relationship between operators and their key suppliers. MCA spoke to leading figures across the eating and drinking-out sector, including some of the biggest customers of Conviviality’s Matthew Clark drinks wholesaler arm, to find out how the saga is likely to impact the sector going forward.
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OpinionEvolution in the food chain
The next 12 months is going to be a key period for the Quilvest-backed, burrito and taco concept Tortilla. Mark Wingett sits down with founder Brandon Stephens and managing director Richard Morris to talk about the year ahead – just don’t mention black beans
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OpinionA restaurant in denial
Continuing on its mission to make wine more accessible to the masses, Vinoteca is now gearing up for its first regional opening. Georgi Gyton met the founders to find out more
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Opinion
On course to be US masters
Competitive socialising is frequently cited as the ‘next big thing’ for the eating and drinking-out sector and one of the stars of the segment is crazy golf concept, Swingers. Mel Flaherty met founders Matt Grech-Smith and Jeremy Simmonds as they look to hit overseas expansion a fair way.
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Opinion
Concept Watch: Crosstown
Crosstown’s focused offer of artisan doughnuts and speciality coffee has seen it confidently grow from a start-up to an established brand. Co-founder JP Then discusses the brand’s origins and staying in a fast-evolving high street. Finn Scott-Delany reports
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Opinion
Grinding out a living
Restaurant and coffee roasting business Caravan was a key player in the rise of the restaurant/coffee shop hybrid at the start of the decade. As they prepare to open two huge new venues the founders talk to Joe Lutrario about diversification and the key to sweating your assets.
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OpinionPret’s restless psyche
Last month Clive Schlee celebrated 15 years as chief executive of Pret A Manger, and was named Retailers’ Retailer of the Year at MCA’s annual industry awards. To celebrate both milestones, Schlee shared his thoughts with James Wallin on the expansion of Pret and its closeness to customers.
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OpinionAre hotels the new high streets?
With several branded restaurants recently announcing additional openings within hotels, as they look to become less reliant on the high street, Helen Gilbert looks at how the benefits can work both ways
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Opinion
Cashless is king
Never one to stay out of the news for long, earlier this week irreverent craft brewer and bar operator BrewDog was revealed to be trailing a cashless model at its Clerkenwell site, with a view to rolling it out across its c60-strong estate. MCA checks in on the trajectory of the cashless trend, including new insight from Flyt
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Opinion
Breaking through the glass ceiling
Victoria Stewart, finance director at The Alchemist, discusses how to excel in a male dominated world, balancing family-life with a high flying job, and how to break through the glass ceiling
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Opinion
Will AI be a game-changer for the eating and drinking-out sector?
Georgi Gyton looks at the potential impact AI could have on the eating and drinking-out sector.
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Opinion
Perhaps they are on to something
Unsolicited bids for the Azzurri Group, a tenanted pub sector rife with M&A speculation and an acquisitive BrewDog, sector consolidation is back on the agenda, and not just for those looking to pick up the fallout from the current round of Company Voluntary Arrangements
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OpinionNo lounging around
Loungers will today open its 100th Lounge site (see news story below) and set out plans for further growth. Co-founders Alex Reilley and Jake Bishop each give their take to MCA on what it feels like to reach that mark
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Opinion
'There will be a lot of interest in keeping the business going'
Operators across the sector have watched on with increasing incredulity at the crisis engulfing wholesaler Conviviality. As the company behind Matthew Clark and Bibendum fights for its very survival, MCA assesses how the situation escalated so quickly and what the implications are likely to be. Includes comments from AlixPartners’ Graeme Smith and analyst Mark Brumby.
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OpinionA peek in the Wagamama lab
Wagamama’s executive chef Steven Mangleshot has been at the forefront of innovation in the casual-dining sector. Here he talks to Food Spark’s Tom Lee about what’s going on in his Noodle Lab
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OpinionOn a walkabout with Stonegate
Stonegate chief executive Simon Longbottom talks to Georgi Gyton about the company’s strategy of building a presence in city and town centres through its stable of brands and formats.
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OpinionFocus on: AlixPartners Growth Company Index
The AlixPartners Growth Company Index 2018, announced earlier this month, highlights the fastest growing operators in the sector but there are still a number of the brightest talents in the industry who did not make the list. Here we profile a few to watch for next year’s index.
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Opinion
Cawston's top soft drinks trends
With the sugar tax just round the corner, and soft drinks being given an artisan makeover, Cawston Press managing director Steve Kearns gives his predictions on the top emerging soft drinks trends
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Opinion
Brigade mentality: How Framptons is taking on market town high streets
A trio of former paratroopers have swapped military discipline for genteel all-day hospitality. MCA hears how Framptons is looking to take on market town high streets.
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Opinion
YO! on attracting female talent
YO! Sushi employs around double of the number of female chefs then the national average. On International Women’s Day, YO! people and operations director Jo Childs discusses the legacy of equality at the group, and what it does to attract and retain female talent.