All Opinion articles – Page 35
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OpinionIn the grand scheme of things
Leisure and F&B are no longer a ‘nice to have’ way to offer experience in shopping schemes to counter online shopping. Instead, they are seen by developers and landlords as future-proofing, and an essential component to remain competitive. But getting that right mix of operator is becoming harder and harder
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Opinion
Brexit slows Davy’s expansion
Since establishing itself as a wine-bar pioneer in the late 1800s, Davy’s has had its share of ups and downs. With the company having learned lessons from weathering recessions and World Wars, chairman James Davy sees no reason to be overconfident in post-Brexit Britain. He talks to Finn Scott-Delany
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OpinionSub Cult moves off the bench
After three years in street food, Sub Cult is taking the plunge with a semi-permanent site. In the latest of our Founders Forum series, Finn Scott-Delany hears how the sub slingers want to reinvent the humble sandwich for a British audience more used to soggy white triangles for their lunch
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OpinionIn the mixer
When Revolution Bar Group’s shares plummeted nearly 40% back in May it felt very much like a case of when, rather than if, Stonegate Pub Company would make its move for the Mark McQuater-led bar chain. With that steep decline in share price in mind, Stonegate’s 200p a share offer looks likely to lead to a positive outcome for all involved
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OpinionAiming to score another strike
All Star Lanes managing director Christian Rose discusses his peripatetic career and why his current role has been his most challenging to date but could also offer the most potential. He talks to Mel Flaherty about growth, evolving formats and why he has always said yes to a challenge.
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Opinion
Verdicts on first year of pubs code
After years of fierce arguments, some surprising twists and a few false starts, the pubs code came into force on 21 July 2016. A year on and tenanted and leased pub companies have told MCA of their frustration at the impact it has had on their relationship with tenants but have pledged their continued support for the model. James Wallin reports
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Opinion
How to deal with Living Wage rises
Mark Kuperman, chief operating officer Revenue Management Solutions (RMS), gives five tips to deal with the rise in the Living Wage.
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Opinion
Pubs: Turnover rents; wet-led success and tenanted moves
CBRE’s Simon Johnson gives his views on the current state of the pub sector, including tenanted operators’ increasing use of turnover-related agreements and why we could see some managed operations moving into tenanted.
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OpinionInside Track: Admiral intentions
Do the bids for Admiral Taverns show that after years in the shadows of managed pubs and casual dining, that tenanted pubs are now back at the centre of M&A activity? MCA deputy editor James Wallin looks at why the segment is so attractive for investors at the moment, what a bid for Admiral could mean for the wider sector and who could be next.
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Opinion
Inside Track: Bun fight
Too many burger chains? Too many food and drink outlets? Too many bad location decisions? Or just too many headwinds to cope with? You could probably make an argument for one, two or all of the aforementioned reasons for the sad demise of Handmade Burger Co. What is for sure is that it will have sent a further shiver down the collective spine of a sector already facing up to 12-18 months of fighting in the trenches ahead of it. Mark Wingett reports
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Opinion
Inside track: On a roll
London-based Indian street food player Rola Wala threw a curve ball when it chose Leeds for its first permanent site. But now it’s back in the Big Smoke with a Shoreditch restaurant opening this month.
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Opinion
A taste of sunshine in New York
Brothers Leo and Oliver Kremer founded the fast-casual chain Dos Toros in 2009 to bring San Francisco’s Mission-style burritos to New York City. The duo is about to enter its second market of Chicago and spoke to Kerstin Kuhn about the concept and future plans
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Opinion
The trouble with crowdfunding
Crowdfunding is an increasingly popular way to raise funds. But what’s the success rate for crowdfunded startups in food and drink? And is there adequate protection or are punters just punks? Edward Devlin, deputy finance editor at The Grocer, reports.
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Opinion
Service timing must be in order
Starbucks has a system of taking orders and delivering the good in an efficient manner, so much so that no one competes at the same level. Tom Weaver, chief executive of Flypay, explains how this could help your business.
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Opinion
Managing expectations
Brakspear’s chief executive Tom Davies talks about the group’s fast-growing managed estate, the challenges facing its 120-strong tenanted portfolio and the return to its 300-year association with brewing.
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Opinion
Win big with staff engagement
Employee engagement needs to be a core part of business strategy argues Keith Perske, who leads the Workplace Innovation advisory practice for Colliers International.
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Opinion
Bank rollin’
It’s taken four years and deep pockets, but Soho House’s The Ned finally threw open its doors in the City of London last month. And it’s been worth the wait (and expense). Stefan Chomka reports
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Opinion
From Late Knights in London to early mornings in Sussex...
Late Knights Brewery founder Steve Keegan reflects on a difficult year that saw him lose his brewery and pubs. However, 12 months he has now launched a new project in Sussex and reflects on what he has learnt during the process.
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OpinionFrankie says: don't relax...
MCA’s director of insight Steve Gotham takes a look at Frankie & Benny’s, which, a year ago, looked in deep trouble. A review has led to an upturn in fortunes but at what cost when prices have been reduced?
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Opinion
Doing more than just making ends meet
Mel Flaherty visits Etc.venues managing director Alastair Stewart at his latest opening County Hall and discusses his transformation from corporate executive to entrepreneur.