All Azzurri Group articles – Page 7
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Opinion
Managing the data deluge
The way hospitality businesses capture, store and use data is changing, with the forthcoming General Data Protection Regulation set to have a wide-reaching impact on the sector. The Hostech conference, held last month at London’s Ham Yard Hotel, looked at how the sector is managing these technical challenges.
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NewsByron looks to the future after CVA approval
Byron it set to conclude its previously negotiated financial restructuring after the group’s Company Voluntary Agreement (CVA) proposal was overwhelmingly approved by its creditors.
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News
East Coast Concepts like-for-likes up 10% over Christmas
East Coast Concepts, the operator of Neighbourhood and Victor’s, has recorded a record Christmas trading period with sales up across its restaurant and bar group.
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News
Ex-Greene King FD joins Byron
David Brown, a former finance director of Greene King, has joined Byron, the struggling better burger chain, as its interim chief financial director
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OpinionAre you adding value? Part 2
Yesterday I wrote that the UK’s hospitality industry was facing a period of fundamental change, with the threat of a significant gap developing in parts of the sector. This morning the focus falls on the value of delivery, technology, experience, property, investment (does private equity have a duty of care?) and protecting your reputation
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OpinionNo brand is an island
One of the words of the year for the eating and drinking out sector has been partnership - as casual dining brands seek new avenues for growth, pubcos re-evaluate their relationships with tenants in the wake of the pubs code and delivery platforms play an increasingly important role in the presentation of brands. James Wallin looks at the impact of these collaborations on the sector.
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NewsZizzi partners with Sainsbury’s to offer pizza-to-go
Azzurri Group chief executive Steve Holmes has told MCA he would be keen to expand the partnership between Zizzi and Sainsbury’s if the pilot proves a success.
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News
Coco di Mama set for Hammersmith
Coco Di Mama, the Azzurri Group-backed, quick-service Italian concept, has secured its first site for 2018, in Hammersmith
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Analysis & InsightA whopper of an opportunity?
Mark Wingett takes a closer look at Bridgepoint’s decision to invest in resurrecting Burger King UK; what the changes at the top of Caffe Nero mean; and how this week’s expected IPO by City Pub Company has history on its side.
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NewsBridgepoint to back Burger King UK
Bridgepoint, the private equity backer of Pret A Manger, has agreed to acquire the master franchise rights for Burger King UK
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News
Sales of vegan dishes up at Zizzi
Sales of vegan dishes at Azzurri Group-owned restaurant chain, Zizzi, increased by 246% since November 2016
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NewsHickory’s eyes growth beyond 12
John Welsh, co-founder of Piper-backed smokehouse concept Hickory’s, has told MCA the group is now looking to expand beyond its original target of 12 sites.
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OpinionAssured Azzurri
While the majority of the casual dining sector, especially Italian-focused concepts, are coming under increasing pressure, the Azzurri Group, the operator of ASK Italian, Zizzi and Coco di Mama, continues to grow and outperform the market. On the back of its full-year results, Mark Wingett has a closer look at the business and talks to chief executive Steve Holmes
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News
Coco di Mama strengthens City estate
Coco di Mama is to further strengthen its presence in the City, with an opening in King William Street
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NewsOperators secured for White City Place
The Athenian and Coco di Mama have been confirmed as amongst the first group of operators set to open at White City Place
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NewsCoco di Mama set for White City Place
Coco di Mama, the Azzurri Group-owned, quick-service Italian concept, is to head West with an opening at the White City Place development, MCA has learnt.
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Opinion
Inside Track: Bun fight
Too many burger chains? Too many food and drink outlets? Too many bad location decisions? Or just too many headwinds to cope with? You could probably make an argument for one, two or all of the aforementioned reasons for the sad demise of Handmade Burger Co. What is for sure is that it will have sent a further shiver down the collective spine of a sector already facing up to 12-18 months of fighting in the trenches ahead of it. Mark Wingett reports
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News
Jamie’s and TGIs offer click & collect option
Online ordering specialist Orderswift has announced a partnership with Oracle Hospitality (formerly MICROS)
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Analysis & InsightInside track: Next in line
A plethora of changes at the top across some of the UK’s leading and up-and-coming eating and drinking-out groups has thrown up questions on the role of succession planning in the sector and whether private-equity groups are increasingly questioning existing growth strategies and those they have backed to implement them in the face of a challenging trading environment. Mark Wingett gets the thoughts of leading recruitment executives.
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News
Polpo appoints Macdonald as MD
Polpo has appointed Scott Macdonald, formerly of Bill’s, as its new managing director