All Wagamama articles – Page 15
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NewsWagamama Q2 lfls up 12%
Wagamama saw UK like-for-like sales (lfls) grow 12% in its second quarter - the 12 weeks to 11 November.
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NewsA love letter to Wagamama
As The Restaurant Group prepares to complete its acquisition of Wagamama today, outgoing chief executive Jane Holbrook shares her thoughts on what has made the brand stand out. Speaking to MCA earlier this month, Holbrook talks about the culture, the interaction with guests and the underlying innovation that is key to the company.
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NewsWagamama to pay staff £1k deal bonus
Outgoing Wagamama chief executive Jane Holbrook has told MCA that the decision to give staff a £1,000 bonus on completion of the sales of the business to The Restaurant Group, was “simply the right thing to do”.
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NewsDecember 2018
In the final MCA journal of 2018, we bring you the headline findings from our Foodservice Delivery Report and focus on two key challenges for operators – people & property. In particular, we look into the changing nature of the high street, new charity Only A Pavement Away, which helps the homeless gain employment in hospitality, and explore opinions on the apprenticeship levy. We also profile the man who put Wagamama on the map, Ian Neill, and pay tribute to his mentor, Peter Boizot.
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NewsTough times provide scope for excellence
Jon Midmer of global executive search firm JMA gives his view on the past year in recruitment and what to expect in 2019. He discusses the trend for hospitality executives heading to the leisure sector and the leadership qualities that are likely to come to the fore in 2019.
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Analysis & InsightThat was the year that was in M&A
This year has been far from the barren 12 months many predicted for sector M&A activity. Strong businesses with good management teams have continued to generate significant interest, especially in the drinks-led sector. AlixPartners’ Graeme Smith reflects on the major deals and themes that emerged.
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NewsTRG rights issue taken up by 92%
The Restaurant Group has announced the takeup for its rights Issue – to fund the acquisition of Wagamama - at 92%.
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Analysis & InsightStudy claims restaurant and pub dishes unhealthier than fast food
A study by the British Medical Journal has suggested food served in pub and restaurant chains is unhealthier than that of fast-food chains.
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Analysis & InsightYO! Sushi best regarded for healthy eating
YO! Sushi is the best regarded restaurant brand in terms of its healthy eating options, MCA research finds.
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NewsRooney Anand to chair CDG
Rooney Anand, the outgoing chief executive of Greene King, has been appointed non-executive chairman of the Casual Dining Group, the Café Rouge and Bella Italia operator.
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OpinionPizza pioneer
The inventor of the UK’s casual dining industry, an inspiration to a generation of restaurant entrepreneurs and the founder of what today is the country’s biggest restaurant brand, PizzaExpress, Peter Boizot, who sadly passed away yesterday at the age of 89, can lay claim to all of those descriptions and more. Here was a life, truly well lived, and one that shaped the industry as we know it, arguably more than most. Mark Wingett talks to those he inspired and worked with, including Ian Neill, Luke Johnson, Hugh Osmond and Harvey Smyth.
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NewsCapdesia amongst Wasabi bidders
London-based private equity firm Capdesia, which was founded last year by Christopher Unrath and Niels Lorijn, formerly of US private debt firm CapitalSpring, is one of the remaining bidders to acquire a stake in Wasabi, the sushi and bento chain.
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NewsMcCue increases stake in TRG
Andy McCue, chief executive of The Restaurant Group, has shown his confidence in the company’s acquisition of Wagamama being a positive for the business, after acquiring close to c£50,000 worth of shares in the Frankie & Benny’s operator.
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OpinionLines from a legend
With 50 years’ experience in the UK’s hospitality sector, primarily in the development of multiple successful branded restaurant concepts, Ian Neill was quite rightly honoured earlier this year with the inaugural lifetime achievement award at MCA’s Retailers’ Retailer of the Year Awards in March. The driving force behind the formative years of PizzaExpress and the growth of Wagamama from one site to 110 worldwide, recently sat down with Mark Wingett to discuss the current state of the market, delivery, the pub sector and of course a certain deal.
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NewsCope steps down as Byron CEO
Simon Cope has stepped down as chief executive of Byron, the Three Hills Capital Partners-backed burger chain, MCA has learnt.
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NewsTamatanga to open third site, at Highcross; plans for more
Indian casual dining restaurant Tamatanga is to open a third site in Leicester’s Highcross shopping centre, and has plans to expand outside the Midlands, MCA has learnt.
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NewsTRG shareholders approve Wagamama deal
Shareholders of The Restaurant Group have approved its £559m bid to acquire Wagamama.
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NewsBenihana confirms Glasgow
Benihana, the global Japanese teppanyaki concept, has confirmed its first UK site in eight years will open in Glasgow.
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NewsLeon confirms first Ireland site, to open Q4 2019
Leon has confirmed its first site in Ireland, with an opening in the Dundrum Town Centre in Dublin at the end of 2019.
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NewsLeading TRG shareholder against Wagamama deal
One of The Restaurant Group’s (TRG) biggest shareholders has come out in opposition to the company’s proposed £559m acquisition of Wagamama.