This week M&C takes five minutes with Noel D’Arcy, managing director of the Big Easy, to talk about a busy year ahead for the concept, the allure of grab and go and the challenges of recruitment.
What’s your main business priority for the coming 12 months?
We have a very exciting 12 months with the opening of our Canary Wharf business during November, our priorities in the run up will to be to recruit over 200 people who are passionate about our business and ensure we give them the best possible induction and training before we open. Big Easy has many different elements to it with our focus on great fresh food, live music and a vibrant bar so the team will be absolutely focused in supporting the opening and settling the business down, for me at the same time I am busy dashing around the country looking for amazing venues that we can look to open in the next few years.
What is the best marketing campaign you have seen this year?
I’m an absolute sucker for the John Lewis Christmas adverts - I think over the past couple of years they really capture everything about the brand and evoke amazing connection from their consumers. I can’t believe that in August I’m already thinking what they are planning for this Christmas.
Where did you have your best meal this year?
The Palomar in Soho is definitely my favourite of the moment, I absolutely love the dining at the counter experience and the interaction you have both with the team and chefs - watching the passion that goes into creating everyone of those amazing dishes that are on the menu is a real treat. I’ve been several times and on every occasion the food and service has been exceptional.
Which business in the sector provided the best experience?
We are very fortunate to work in an industry that is continuing to evolve and is regarded by many worldwide as leading the way, but I am constantly drawn back to the grab and go’s who understand the time precious customers without forgetting to smile and for that 30 seconds or so as they have you make you feel the most important person they have every served. Pret continues to lead the way but also Cafe Nero really standout by putting customer service at the top of their agenda.
What is your main concern for the sector?
Finding great people. Like many others we have a very ambitious plan for the next five years, no matter how brilliant we are at evolving and finding great sites, without the people in place to deliver we will not succeed. We are absolutely committed at Big Easy in growing our own talent and through Steve Rockey, our head of people, it is very much at the top of our agenda.
Which other business (any sector) would you most like to run and why?
Having spent my whole life in the restaurant business there have been the odd occasion I have thought would I like to do anything else and the honest answer has been no, but if you really pushed me it would have to be something in travel - through both work and pleasure I have been very fortunate to travel extensively across America and more recently I have discovered Australia which is now my new favourite place, so anything that would take me to amazing countries rich in culture and obviously fantastic food and drink thrown in would be of definite interest.
