All Opinion articles – Page 43
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Opinion
Evolution of the operations role
This year marks 20 years since the creation of the ALMR’s Ops Awards. James Wallin speaks to its creator Nick Bish and the inaugural winner – Stonegate chief executive Simon Longbottom – about the evolving role of both the awards and of the operations manager
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OpinionClub classic is a class act
The Breakfast Club has been one of London’s best-kept secrets, but two significant openings in the past 12 months, including its first outside the capital, has edged the licensed all-day café concept into the spotlight. Mark Wingett chats to co-founder Jonathan Arana-Morton about expansion, growing pains, an aborted burrito concept and 1980s nostalgia
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Opinion
Ivell on an evolving ALMR
M&C speaks to Mitchells & Butlers chairman Bob Ivell about his new role as president of the ALMR and how the organisation has never been in a better position to be the key voice for the industry when it comes to lobbying the Government
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OpinionThe sipping forecast for pubs
With the pubs code finally set to become a confirmed statute, the largest pubcos overhauling their models and some of the country’s most familiar brands set to be reinvented or perhaps even disappear, there are plenty of headwinds for the pub sector in 2016. James Wallin examines the landscape the pub industry is likely to face during the next 12 months.
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OpinionNew year’s business honours
In a busy year, Dominic Walsh has reported on many aspects of the business world. Now he takes stock of what’s happened within the past 12 months and gives his awards accordingly
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Opinion
Seminal moment for UK dining
London Union co-founder Jonathan Downey immediately took to Twitter to say that the “British are coming” on the news that Hawksmoor was to launch in New York, and although this may be over egging the pudding slightly, news that the Will Beckett and Huw Gott-led concept is to open Stateside does feel like a seminal moment for the UK dining scene
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Opinion
Rebuilding Strada
A year on from acquiring the 44-strong Strada business, owner Hugh Osmond and new operations director Tom James talk about going back to basics, putting the foundations in for future growth, new concepts, property and acquisitions. Mark Wingett reports
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OpinionHard work helps strike it Rich
In a rare interview, Caprice Holdings owner Richard Caring tells Dominic Walsh, from The Times, a little of the background to his restaurant, and hospitality interests and what he plans to do with them
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Opinion
1847 sets meat-free model
Every market could benefit from more choice and the food sector is no different. Ruth Williams takes a look at 1847 – a vegetarian outfit that has expansion on its mind and a timing that could be spot on.
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OpinionA good fit for the king
In a busy year for M&A activity in the sector, Greene King’s acquisition of Spirit Pub Company was one of the standout deals – creating the country’s largest managed estate and third biggest collection of tenanted and leased pubs. Publican’s Morning Advertiser editor Ed Bedington talks to chief executive Rooney Anand about the challenge of assessing which of the combined brands have a future, his philosophy on recruitment and the challenges of coping with an increasingly disloyal customer base.
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Opinion
For the love of a tenanted estate
Wickwar Wessex is 25-years-old, and in celebration has undergone a complete rebranding as it seeks to kick start a growth strategy for both its brewery and managed pub estate. But, perhaps somewhat surprisingly, that new direction also includes establishing a tenanted arm. Ruth Williams reports
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Opinion
L.A. Prep offers fair share to all
Bringing together the very best growing and artisanal food producers under one roof has proved revolutionary. Kerstin Kühn finds out how L.A. Prep has made this possible and profitable
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OpinionFunding growth
Santander’s Andrew Tully reflects on his experiences working with casual dining restaurant chains before, during and after the recession – how and why some strategies worked – and looks at financing options
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OpinionGym buddies
With the opening of the vast German Gymnasium in King’s Cross as well as a revamp of a number of its most recognisable sites, D&D London has smartened up its act, says Stefan Chomka
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OpinionPolpo moves into pole position
A firm favourite of the London’s restaurant scene, Polpo has taken its first steps outside of the capital with a launch in Brighton. Mark Wingett talks to managing director Luke Bishop about taking the concept on the expansion trail
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Opinion
The grill seeker
In the face of competition, Gourmet Burger Kitchen, the original better burger concept could have become the forgotten man of the sector. But chief executive Alasdair Murdoch and his team have refreshed the company and are ready to push on. Mark Wingett reports
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OpinionAdmiral's strong moral compass
Admiral Taverns chief executive Kevin Georgel addressed the Tenanted Pub Company Summit earlier this month. He described his theme for the keynote speech as “we are where we are, surely it is time to reconcile our differences – but before we do so I would just like to get a few things off my chest”. Here is an edited transcript of his speech:
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OpinionUnpicking Punch's new model
Punch Taverns this morning unveiled a number of new ways in which it is working with licensees, including the creation of a Retail Contracts division. M&C speaks exclusively to the head of that division, Andy Crump, to examine details of how Punch has added a new twist to the operator agreement with its profit-based incentives and reveal the location of its first managed pub.
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OpinionWho is winning the battle for consumer loyalty?
Consumers taking part in this month’s M&C Allegra Foodservice’s research programme, the Eating Out Panel, have rated Côte top for both quality and freshness. The results also show pubs and fast food operators challenging the restaurant sector in a number of areas. M&C director of insight, Steve Gotham, explains what the responses can tell us about the eating out market.
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OpinionIt’s a manchise world
As more details emerge of how the pubs code will work in practice, pubcos are already responding with an increased focus on alternative agreements. From emerging companies to traditional family brewers, turnover related agreements or ‘manchises’ are becoming a key weapon in winning the war on talent. But with labour cost as the key concern for the operator, does the introduction of the National Living Wage present a barrier to success?