All Interview articles – Page 2
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InterviewsAndy Hornby: ‘Make sure your supply forecasting is nailed on’
In the second part of an interview with MCA, Andy Hornby, chief executive of The Restaurant Group, discusses the importance of accurate supply forecasting and simplifying menus as a way of controlling menu price inflation. He also discusses pub estate expansion, as well as current and future prospects for trading.
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InterviewsDavid Page: ‘Fulham Shore can open up to 250 sites’
As trading volumes at Fulham Shore rise by a quarter, MCA spoke with David Page, executive chairman, to discover more about the company’s plans for expansion and an idea for a new store format, which highlights the need to cater for robust, ongoing delivery sales. Overall, the company is currently benefiting from a depleted retail sector, and from having retained most of its workforce. Looking forward, it has eyes on eventually opening up to 250 sites in the UK.
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InterviewsRalph Findlay ‘optimistic’ about the pub sector recovery
MCA caught up with Ralph Findlay, chief executive of Marston’s, following the group’s Q3 trading update. He discussed the group’s increasing focus on premium pubs and the benefits of a technology upgrade. While describing the pingdemic as a “severe headache” and voicing concerns around VAT and price rises, he was nonetheless optimistic about the pub sector’s potential for recovery.
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NewsRevolution planning to double brand portfolio
Revolution Bars Group is looking to expand its portfolio of brands from two to four, in order to capitalise on property opportunities post-pandemic, chief executive Rob Pitcher has told MCA.
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InterviewsJKS CEO Jyotin Sethi: ‘There’s a whole new dynamic being established’
The flagship names in the JKS collection, Gymkhana, Trishna and Brigadiers, are not the type of premium restaurants one would expect to readily translate into delivery.
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InterviewsWhat it’s like to operate in lockdown part six: Caffè Nero
Caffè Nero Group CEO Gerry Ford talks to MCA about the extent of necessary on-site safety protocols, the encouraging response from staff and consumers so far, and what the business plans to do next.
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InterviewsMother Clucker co-founder Brittney Bean: The economics of delivery don’t stack up
Without a national timeout on rent, restaurants having to operate a delivery-focused business model through the phased reopening period “would never stack up economically,” Brittney Bean, Mother Clucker co-founder has told MCA.
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NewsBrewdog finds lifeline in retail while plotting return to bars
Brewdog’s revenue from brewing and retail has provided a lifeline during lockdown – but the company remains committed to reopening its bars in the future, COO David McDowall has told MCA.
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InterviewsKFC’s Jo Tivers: “I love pickled and fermented ingredients - they go so well with the KFC Original Recipe”
KFC’s NPD team lead discusses the success of its Vegan Burger, where KFC plans to take its plant-based menu next and why texture is too often overlooked by product developers.
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OpinionThe Italian Job
Jon Knight has had an eventful first six months at the helm of Jamie Oliver Restaurant Group, having guided the company through a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) and set about reconnecting the group’s celebrity founder with his restaurants. He talks to James Wallin about what growth looks like post-CVA, how the group is aiming to come off the discounting drug and how the brand would cope if Oliver’s star began to fade.
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OpinionNip and Tuk
Health-focused chain Leon has partnered with David Thompson’s Aylmer Aaharn food group to transform its Shaftesbury Avenue site into a Thai fast food restaurant that could become a major growth brand. Restaurant magazine deputy editor Joe Lutrario meets Leon founder John Vincent to discuss the prospects for Tuk Shop.
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OpinionNew chains shaping the healthy high street
Canadian fast-casual chain Freshii launched in the UK earlier this year with ambitious plans to capitalise on the appetite for healthy eating. The expansion on these shores is being headed up by POD co-founder, Kate Skerritt, who spoke to MCA’s sister title Food Spark about where she sees the future of food.
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NewsUrban on M&B’s “engine room”
MCA spoke to Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) chief executive, Phil Urban, on the back of yesterday’s half-year results. He discussed the next stage of the group’s transformation programme, including bolder pricing strategies on a local basis. He also talked about consolidation in the Stonehouse brand, further evolution of Harvester and the revival of O’Neill’s; as well as the scope for pay at table and delivery options.
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NewsMarston’s “will continue to land bank sites”
Marston’s chief executive Ralph Findlay has told MCA the group will continue to land bank sites despite revising down its growth targets for next year.
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News
Focus on: Marston’s Destination
Iain Jackson, who heads up Marston’s c350-strong Destination division spoke to MCA about the growth of the group’s Firebrand and Accent divisions and the scope he sees for further expansion. He also discussed how he has restructured his teams into smaller units that can react more swiftly to changing consumer trends, and the creation of a dedicated openings team, to follow sites through from acquisition to the handover to ops teams.
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Analysis & Insight
Fuelling growth
Jo Cumming, co-owner of Food & Fuel, the food-led pub operator, talks to Mel Flaherty about expansion, working with Ei Group, the biggest changes she has seen across the industry and embracing the needs of Millennials
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Analysis & Insight
Homeslice - putting pizza centre stage
With a disregard for any rules and a left-field approach to toppings, it’s clearly no traditional pizzeria. But, as Mel Flaherty found out, Homeslice is carving out a name for itself in an increasingly congested sector
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Interviews
New Diageo boss outlines spirit giant’s big plans
Diageo’s UK operations are in good form, but the spirit giant’s new boss Charles Ireland has big plans to shake things up while he’s in office
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OpinionInside Track: Eco principles in a fast food world
Eco chef Arthur Potts Dawson discusses the challenges of running fast food burger restaurant BurgerFi with sustainable principles.
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Analysis & InsightThe life of Simon
Earlier this summer, Simon Kossoff, co-founder, former chairman and chief executive of Carluccio’s, stepped down from the business, which had been his life for 17 years. He talks to Mark Wingett about the brand’s birth, development and his legacy