All Cote articles – Page 2
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Event NewsHospitality heroes recognised at Retailers’ Retailer Awards
To mark what has been a truly testing 12 months, this year MCA is introducing a new, unique category at the Retailers’ Retailer Awards, which recognises the unsung heroes of the hospitality sector.
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NewsScrimgeour leaves Cote, Holbrook steps up
Cote CEO Alex Scrimgeour is leaving the business following its acquisition by Partners Group, with Jane Holbrook to take over as executive chair.
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NewsCôte acquired out of administration by Partners Group
Côte Restaurants has been acquired out of administration by Partners Group, the global private markets investment manager.
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NewsAlixPartners: Necessity is the mother of invention
Relief, excitement and anxiety seem to be the overriding emotions emanating from hospitality operators since the government finally confirmed that 4 July is the date pubs and restaurants bring up the shutters after three months of inactivity. According to the latest weekly Hospitality Leaders Poll by MCA/HIM, exactly 50% of respondents are set to grasp that opportunity and reopen this coming weekend. The pent-up demand that exists from the public to eat and drink out has been highlighted by the volume of bookings many operators have already taken.
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NewsShelley Sandzer: Leaving lockdown behind – FOGO vs FOMO
With the pressure on to get pubs and restaurants with large enough outdoor areas or pub gardens open sooner rather than later, the nation must be rejoicing? Or is it? What if fear-of-going-out is more prevalent in society than we initially thought? Are hospitality operators able to provide enough flair, fun and innovation to turn that fear-of-going-out into a fear-of-missing-out?
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NewsEditor’s Opinion: Hang tight and plan your return
The coronavirus continues to wreak havoc. It’s claimed hundreds of thousands of lives around the world and numbers continue to rise. As dreadful as that is, the long term socio-economic impact is more disturbing. The virus has created a level of disruption to health, society, and the economy that’s never happened before, outside of wartime. And while there is plenty of speculation on how life in general may get back to normal post-lockdown, with vaguely optimistic or pessimistic dates floating around, there is no clarity on how or when this might end.
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NewsTimeline: How the coronavirus crisis unfolded
Here are just some of the twists and turns over the last few weeks. If you want to read all the MCA coverage of the coronavirus crisis click here.
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OpinionDominic Walsh on Wetherspoon and Cote
Tim Martin likes to plough his own unique furrow. From his penchant for attending City results presentations in chinos - or even shorts – to his mullet hairstyle and his love of rubbing the establishment up the wrong way, the JD Wetherspoon founder loves nothing better than to fan the flames of controversy. Among the issues that have particularly got his juices going over the years have been the euro, taxes, corporate governance and, of course, Brexit. On most of these subjects Martin has managed to navigate a course that has burnished his “man of the people” credentials, firmly established during 41 years of serving the cheapest food and drink in town.
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NewsCôte launches ready meal delivery service
Côte has launched a new online shop and delivery platform, allowing consumers to order food throughout the closure period.
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NewsProfits up at Cote
Cote has reported ‘satisfactory’ growth in its financial report for the year ending 28 July 2019.
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NewsAll’s fair in love and restaurants – how did the operators line up to fight for the Valentine’s share of wallet?
If French is the language of love, then presumably a French restaurant should be where I head with my true love on Valentine’s Day. Certainly, the leading French chains are using several seduction techniques to secure my custom – and for good reason. February is a slow trading month and an event where consumers might be more inclined to loosen the purse strings for fear of having their heart strings damaged, is well worth aiming to capitalise upon. So who offered what on the big day?
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NewsCôte proposes industry-wide order-and-pay solution
Côte CFO Strahan Wilson proposed an industry-wide open-access solution to the problems faced by in-restaurant payment and ordering apps at MCA’s HOSTECH event this week.
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Analysis & Insight2019 Consumer award winners Part 2: Spotlight on NPS and RI
After last week’s focus on the best in class quality, value for money and friendly service award winners, this follow-up analysis shines a spotlight on those out-performing operators topping the league tables at Net Promoter Score (NPS) and Revisit Intention (RI).
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NewsHow can tech ease the customer journey?
Greggs, Leon and Wagamama are just the latest to join the self-ordering revolution, with the latter’s new grab and go concept Mamago one of the most hotly discussed openings of last year. To share their early exeperiences and more, MCA brought together marketing, IT and digital leaders from across the sector to consider how new technology can help, and sometimes hinder, the customer experience
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NewsGotham’s Christmas-ish Quiz!
It’s the week before Christmas and I hope many thresholds are being crossed, multiple tipples downed and that tills are ringing out! For my part, I have been thinking about what sort of Christmas present to get lucky readers – I have been racking my mind and the best I can do is the joy of a quiz!
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NewsThe Highs and Lows of Promotions
In recent weeks I have looked into various elements of economising behaviour by consumers, including targeting low prices and more spending at weekends as opposed to weekdays, today’s focus is on the widely prevalent, yet potentially damaging, practice of promotional activity. Key questions asked include whether its usage is rising, who’s buying into the offers the most and what are the most popular promotion types. The core focus area is the key dinner day-part within the chain restaurant sector and the source of answers is MCA’s consumer tracking service, the Eating Out Panel.
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Analysis & InsightFocus on: French casual dining chains
For a country associated with such a long established and fine cuisine tradition, it might be considered a little surprising that French food does not have a stronger restaurant chain presence in the UK, but perhaps the two elements of individual flair and multi-site brand consistency are indeed, polemically opposed.