M&C Report talks to Brandon Stephens, founder of Tortilla, the Mexican fast-casual dining chain, about what keeps him awake at night, his best and worst business decision and what is the best piece of advice he has ever received.
What’s the biggest issue facing the industry? The first is the incredibly high VAT levied on foodservices in general in the UK and the ever-growing discrepancies in how various foods are treated VAT-wise. The second is the bureaucratic and misguided planning permission rules that unfairly punish non-A1 operators and cause costly delays to rollout.
What keeps you awake at night? Everything! In truth expansion-related matters keep me up, but my single biggest priority is ensuring the health & safety of our staff and our customers.
What is top of your to-do list? Overturning the VAT about-face? OK, it’s actually finding more sites.
What has been your best investment? (site) Canary Wharf, where we believe we’re selling more burritos than any other burrito shop in the UK.
What has been your best business decision? Not outsourcing our food production (like some of our competitors!). Everything is made fresh in each store every day.
What has been your worst? Thinking we had “figured it all out” before we launched our first store. We hadn’t even scratched the surface on branding, training, operations, supply chain, etc.
What is your favourite restaurant/pub? I hate to admit it, but it’s Shoreditch House. Roof top pool bar with a view overlooking the City and absurdly delicious cocktails that just can’t be beat.
Most admired operator? Nando’s – solid product, value-for-money décor, good price point, perfect balance of lunch and dinner, solid processes, strong company culture. To move from strength-to-strength at that size is incredibly impressive.
Most admired concept/brand? Drake & Morgan – their bars are ahead of trend with a beautiful shabby chic décor that always impresses. I don’t know how Jillian MacLean and the folks at Fusion Design keep coming up with the impressive elements in their interior designs that they do.
If you could invest in any business in any sector what would it be and why? Mobile apps, because my background is technology and mobile is going to continue to boom.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received? “Have more fun.”
