All Opinion articles – Page 40
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OpinionCompetitive socialising
Living in a culture in which people are constantly afraid of missing out, consumers are demanding experiences that deviate from the mainstream. Can the sector evolve to meet this demand for more experiential events and in the process underpin a renaissance in the UK’s late-night sector?
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Opinion
Putting down strong roots
MCA speaks to Red Oak Taverns co-founder Mark Grunnell about the company’s commitment to invest in its pubs and its people
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OpinionBack on track
Dominic Walsh explores the fall from grace of Ed’s Easy Diner and ponders whether the travails of recent months have done any lasting damage to this business, whilst at the same time asking whether there is merit in a future link up between Stonegate and Mitchells & Butlers
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Opinion
The future is green for Veggie Pret
In his latest blog, Pret A Manger chief executive Clive Schlee explain why the group hopes to open more Veggie Pret shops in the future after the success of its initial pop-up in Soho, which is now set to become a permanent fixture
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Opinion
A slide in size
Remember a few years ago when sliders were all the rage? While that craze seems to have settled down, there’s a new trend on the horizon spearheaded by an Israeli-based company. This time it’s all about “mini burgers”, reports Kerstin Kuhn
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Opinion
Using his noodle
While the majority of the sector is finding the current climate challenging, Wagamama has gone back to its roots to come out of a period of stagnation and is now driving forward, reporting double-digit growth in the process. Mark Wingett talks to chief executive David Campbell
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OpinionSector snapshot: Little Chef on a big mission
MCA talks to head of operations at Little Chef, John Moore, on his plans to reignite the public’s love of the brand.
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Opinion
Inside track: Southampton Late Night Levy one year on
Licensing law firm Poppleston Allen investigates the situation in Southampton – one year on from the introduction of Late Night Levy. Using data from Freedom of Information Requests, the group looks at the costs, impact and effectiveness of the measure.
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Opinion
Café culture
With plans to double in size within five years and move into Europe and the US, café and restaurant group Benugo is gaining ground. Stefan Chomka reports
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Opinion
Green Bean has broad appeal
The explosion in numbers of Americans going through a health kick has been enough for Chicago-based Green Bean to bring its gluten and nut-free offer to the fore in the form of its alternative fast-food restaurant. Kerstin Kühn talks to the duo about the rise of their concept and its future
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OpinionGrowing pains
Bill’s and Byron, arguably two of the UK’s eating-out sector’s leading success stories over the last few years, are each facing, for very different reasons, their first challenging periods. At the same time, EAT has made another management change, which it will hope will finally push it forward and out of the long shadow cast by Pret A Manger
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OpinionDelivering change
PizzaExpress chief executive Richard Hodgson talks to Mark Wingett about facing up to a challenging trading environment; Deliveroo; choosing Firezza over Delivered; the future of Reys; and bringing some Starbucks expertise to bear in the Far East
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OpinionCharlotte's Web
It might only operate three London sites, but Charlotte’s Group is proving to be one of the capital’s most progressive restaurant operations thanks to its forward-thinking, young owner Alex Wrethman. Stefan Chomka talks to him about the growth of the company
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Opinion
How the Galvins are going global
As the Galvin Brothers confirm their latest venture, Joe Lutrario talks the successful restaurateurs about expanding both internationally and into the pub sector
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OpinionUsing your noodle
Whilst the majority of the sector is finding the current climate challenging, Wagamama has gone back to its roots to come out of a period of stagnation and is now driving forward, reporting double-digit growth in the process
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OpinionBrexit – Time for a VAT Cut?
Oakman Inns & Restaurants chief executive Peter Borg-Neal says that in the fallout from the Brexit, the sector needs to unite behind a common cause that can provide a boost to all operators. Is it time to reignite the VAT cut debate?
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OpinionHe’s Eclectic
Last year the future looked bleak for listed late-night operator Eclectic Bar Group as it suffered a slump in sales from its core student market. But with the involvement of Luke Johnson came an unexpected new direction, a restructure and a resultant upturn in sales. Lee Nicolson – the recently appointed managing director of Eclectic – talks to James Wallin about partying, ping pong and piers.
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OpinionYoung’s at heart
Stephen Goodyear, who stepped down as chief executive of Young’s last week, talks to MCA about his 13 years at the helm of the company and 42 years in the pub trade. He discusses the evolving role of pubs in society, the company’s ambitions in its food and accommodation and offers and why it may be making a return to brewing.
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Opinion
Work ethic has reaped rewards
The rags to riches story of Comptoir Libanais founder Tony Kitous is inspirational – and, as Dominic Walsh discovers, he is worthy of such good fortune. But the Algerian still has big plans including the openings of more Comptoirs and Shawas, using the £8m war chest gleaned from a recent IPO