Robin Rowland - the man who transformed the fortunes of YO! Sushi from a misfiring fledgling chain to a burgeoning international restaurant group - has been singled out by his peers as the sector’s best individual.
The chief executive of the fast-casual conveyor-belt restaurant group collected the prize at this year’s Retailers’ Retailer of the Year Awards, organised by M&C Report.
He emerged from an assorted shortlist of eminent business leaders from the eating and drinking-out market, narrowly beating: Philippe Le Roux, chief executive of Le Pain Quotidien UK; Tim Martin, chairman of JD Wetherspoon; Julian Metcalfe, founder, Pret A Manger; Ian Neill, chairman, Wagamama; and Alan Parker, chief executive, Whitbread.
The awards, in their 11th year, are unique in that they are the only ones voted for by senior executives from the industry itself. They are, therefore, a true reflection of what the market thinks, identifying the best companies, concepts and individuals.
Rowland took the helm at Yo from founder and serial entrepreneur Simon Woodroffe in 1999, tasked with turning the business around, and has since grown it from four restaurants to 50.
Over the past four years he has led a refinancing of the business three times, most recently last year through a tertiary buyout with Quilvest, the Paris-based private equity group, which valued it at £50m.
The Yo chief executive began his career in 1984 with Whitbread Inns before joining Grand Met to launch the Old Orleans brand. He then managed a division of Scottish & Newcastle Retail before joining The Restaurant Group, or City Centre Restaurants as it then was, in the mid-1990s as group franchising director.
Mark Stretton, editor of M&C Report, said: “He is very much the modern chief executive in this sector - a passionate leader and a genuine business builder who has created massive shareholder value. He is largely responsible for transforming his company from an exciting concept into an international thriving business.”
The prestigious awards, which took place last night at The Dorchester on London’s Park Lane, take their name because they identify retailing excellence in an eating and drinking-out environment. Market positioning, great products, attention to detail and flawless execution are the hallmarks of past and present winners.
JD Wetherspoon, the high street pub operator, was named best company, Nando’s was identified as the sector’s best concept, while the revitalised brand award went to Costa Coffee.
The industry’s favourite venue was Vapiano, the European fast-casual concept that made its debut in London last year on the site that used to house Oliver Peyton’s Mash, just north of London’s Oxford Circus.
Deal of the year went to Pret A Manger and Bridgepoint Capital for last year’s £350m refinancing of the business and investor of the year went to Richard Caring, the entrepreneur who has stakes in Cote, Bill’s Produce, The Ivy, Soho House and Wentworth Golf Club.
Jamie’s Italian scooped two awards, winning emerging concept and managing director Simon Blagden collecting the rising star prize.
The awards were generously supported by event partners BDO Stoy Hayward, Brakes, Brulines, Coca-Cola Enterprises and Zenith Hygiene Group.
The process to determine the winners saw a 700-strong bank of senior operators, industry experts and suppliers - known as the Retailers’ Academy - nominate the shortlists in each category. The shortlists were then sent back out to the Academy for final voting, with the finalists with the most votes emerging as the winners.
Full coverage of The Retailers’ Retailer of the Year Awards will appear in the April issue of M&C Report.
