All Opinion articles – Page 32
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Opinion
The Dom Walsh Awards
The past 12 months has seen a raft of senior operators depart their roles; high-profile brands stumble on their growth plans but others discover new avenues for expansion. Dominic Walsh presents his annual awards, including deal of the year; top brand; biggest shock, his pick for hero to zero and the year’s worst rebrand
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OpinionAre you adding value? Part 2
Yesterday I wrote that the UK’s hospitality industry was facing a period of fundamental change, with the threat of a significant gap developing in parts of the sector. This morning the focus falls on the value of delivery, technology, experience, property, investment (does private equity have a duty of care?) and protecting your reputation
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Opinion
Analysts corner: Barnfather on City Pub Group
Leading analyst Anna Barnfather, of Liberum, has said City Pub Group’s management strength and track record as well as its freehold asset base make it an attractive investment.
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OpinionAre you adding value? Part 1
With the next quarterly rent call at the end of March looming, the sector is set to enter a crucial period, one that could lead to it fundamentally changing, with businesses questioning their position in it, their own values and value.
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OpinionSaddled with a tough task
Asked last year what book he had read that had inspired him, Oliver Meakin, the incoming, new chief executive of Gaucho and CAU picked Jack Welch’s 4E’s of Leadership. Speaking about why the book resonated with him he said: “as a leader, I believe it is important to have huge energy, to be able to energise an organisation, to be able to execute and have the edge to make the tough decisions”. Within his new role, he will need to call on all three of those principles
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OpinionAre you ready for employee claims?
The words employment tribunal are enough to spark fear into any employer’s heart. They are also words to be increasingly wary of since the removal of the controversial tribunal fee last July, which saw the number of claims increase 66% by December. Vikki Wiberg, senior lawyer at international law firm Taylor Wessing, shares her opinion on how employers can guard against future claims.
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OpinionIs gender pay gap reporting on your radar?
As January kicked off, a flurry of businesses published their gender pay gap data – but with less than 600 hundred companies out of approximately 9,000 having now reported, what’s the hold up? Claire Taylor-Evans, senior associate solicitor at law firm Boyes Turner, looks at the factors involved and why holding off on reporting is a risky strategy.
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OpinionLandmark gambles on new playmaker
As it enters its eighth year of owning Carluccio’s, the Dubai-based Landmark Group has decided to make a key substitution, bringing in Mark Jones, the outgoing chief executive of Goals Soccer Centres and former head of Mecca Bingo, in a move it hopes will steady the ship and move it towards an eventual exit.
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OpinionThe path of Khan
Four and a half years ago, the US better burger brand Five Guys entered the UK market and hasn’t looked back since. Mark Wingett quizzes the company’s first UK employee and now brand development director Marcel Khan about the concept’s journey and what comes next.
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Opinion
Formulating the right blend
With £2m raised through crowdfunding in less than a week and a deal to launch at transport hubs with SSP signed, it is set to be a significant 12 months for Grind, the artisan coffee house, restaurant and bar group. Mark Wingett talks to co-founder David Abrahamovitch about popularity and what comes next
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OpinionNo brand is an island
One of the words of the year for the eating and drinking out sector has been partnership - as casual dining brands seek new avenues for growth, pubcos re-evaluate their relationships with tenants in the wake of the pubs code and delivery platforms play an increasingly important role in the presentation of brands. James Wallin looks at the impact of these collaborations on the sector.
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Opinion
In bust we trust
With sites in Leeds and Manchester, Gujarati street food and craft beer specialist Bundobust is hotly tipped to expand nationwide. Not bad for a vegetarian Indian restaurant that doesn’t sell curry. Joe Lutrario reports
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Opinion
Following the White Rabbit
Chris Miller started consulting for restaurants in return for free food before launching venture capital business White Rabbit Fund last year. The former numbers guy for Nick Jones is now a backer of restaurants, including Island Poke and Kricket as well as the soon-to-open Madame Wong in Bloomberg Arcade. He talks to Stefan Chomka
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OpinionWhy London is alive and kicking
According to one recent newspaper headline London’s restaurant scene is dying. Peter Martin, vice-president of CGA and the co-founder of M&C Report, explains why he thinks this is far from the truth and explores the detail behind the headlines.
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Opinion
Cracking the code
Ei Group has transformed its business in the wake of the pubs code but tenanted and leased pubs remain the bulk of its portfolio. Ei Publican Partnerships managing director Nick Light reveals what the tied model looks like in a post pubs-code era. James Wallin reports
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Opinion
Trend watch: Dirty vegan food
Biffs Jack Shack, the vegan fast food trader specialising in deep-fried jackfruit, has taken the street food scene by storm this year. MCA looks at the trend-surfing concept and its prospects for growth.
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Opinion
Happy union of East and West
Russia may be a contentious topic in the US right now, but fast-casual chain Teremok’s blini and borscht are proving a hit with New Yorkers. With 300 outlets in Russia, CEO Mikhail Goncharov talks to Kerstin Kühn about bringing an alternative fast-food concept to America
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OpinionA new slice of the action
Robin Rowland is now stepping aside at YO! Sushi to let Richard Hodgson, the former chief executive of PizzaExpress, build on a strong foundation and momentum. He has tried to pass the baton on before, but this time everything looks set fair for it to work out for everyone involved
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OpinionThe pizza perfectionists
Neapolitan pizza player Santa Maria opens its third restaurant later this month – but don’t expect to see one on every street corner any time soon. Stefan Chomka reports
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OpinionBig deal for Little Chef
The glory days of Little Chef may be behind it, but it remains one of the most famous brands in the history of the UK’s eating-out scene. Lawrence Wosskow was a key figure in the Little Chef story – having owned the company in the 2000s, but his route to acquiring the brand was anything but easy