All Las Iguanas articles – Page 2
-
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
-
NewsLas Iguanas scoops employees’ choice award
Las Iguanas has won Glassdoor Employees’ Choice Award, recognising the Best Places to Work in 2020.
-
NewsGunwharf Quays – Restaurant and retail therapy a plenty!
With more than 30 bars, cafés and restaurants (as well as over 90 shops) Gunwharf Quays offers an abundance of opportunities for plenty of remedial treatment. Supported by its impressive waterfront location, attractive design and assorted leisure-related reasons to visit, Gunwharf Quays is one of the UK’s finest outlet shopping centres. So amongst some Christmas shopping, I was keen to see how it is using its extensive assortment of Food & Beverage purveyors to both restore weary shoppers as well as to act as a footfall driver in its own right. But also, and more critically, I was keener to see some something new and surprising.
-
NewsLas Iguanas to push forward with UK expansion
Up to five new UK sites per year could be on the cards for Las Iguanas, as it looks to expand despite rising costs and stiff competition, according to The Times.
-
OpinionTurtle Bay: ‘We keep away from industry noise’
Turtle Bay has had a quiet two years, but with reinforcements to the senior team and turnover approaching £70m, the Caribbean social concept looks to be making moves for a sale. In a rare interview, founder Ajith Jayawickrema explains how the bar and restaurant brand has the potential for 100 sites – but not necessarily under his stewardship.
-
News
CDG appoints trio of brand directors
Casual Dining Group (CDG) has appointed brand directors at Bella Italia, Las Iguanas and Café Rouge as it restructures its senior team formation.
-
Analysis & InsightBrandwatch: Turtle Bay
The Piper-backed Caribbean restaurant operator has arguably flown under the radar for longer than other casual dining brands. Now, having grown to 42 sites in the UK, MCA’s Georgi Gyton takes a look at the performance of the group and examines current consumer sentiment.
-
NewsMos Shamel steps down as Las Iguanas MD
Casual Dining Group (CDG) has confirmed that Mos Shamel is to step down as managing director of Las Iguanas after 16 years at the helm.
-
NewsLevi Roots closes single Westfield Stratford site
Levi Roots Caribbean Smokehouse, the casual dining concept fronted by the Dragon’s Den star, has closed its single site in Westfield Stratford.
-
News
'Are you strong enough to withstand an unbranded attack? I hope so.'
Operators concerned about delivery platforms using their data to create their own virtual restaurants should focus instead on ensuring they have a strong enough brand to compete, Chilango co-founder Dan Houghton has told MCA.
-
NewsLas Iguanas reduces level of complimentary meals by 25%
Las Iguanas has reduced the number of fully complimentary meals by 25% over a two-year period, by using feedback software.
-
OpinionCoronation street
For any company succession planning is an absolute priority but for founder-led businesses it can present particular challenges. How can you ever replace a founder and how should they be involved in the process? MCA editor James Wallin talks to recruitment experts to get their view on the pitfalls of managing succession. They discuss what the sector can learn from examples such as Loungers as well as examining a high-profile internal promotion yesterday, in James Spragg’s succession to chief executive at Casual Dining Group.
-
OpinionA no-brainer of sorts
In his latest monthly column Dominic Walsh digests the news of Steve Richards’ departure from Casual Dining Group with mixed emotions although concluding, after some consideration, that it makes sense. He goes on to ponder the future of Fuller’s following its boardroom shake-up.
-
Analysis & Insight'Don’t label your plant-based dishes as meat-free'
An increasing number of consumers are opting for vegetarian and vegan dishes, with operators following the trend and adding them to menus across the sector. But how do you ensure they have broad ranging appeal, and don’t just appear as part of a tick-box exercise? MCA’s sister title Food Spark took a look at the research around what actually sells.
-
Analysis & InsightBig no longer beautiful among casual restaurant brands?
Are the days of restaurant brands growing to 100+ sites really over? MCA’s market insight director, Steve Gotham, takes a look at what can be learnt from the chains that have already surpassed this milestone and who has the potential to be the next centurion of casual dining.
-
OpinionOakman Inns: ‘We want our pizzaiolos to be figureheads of the pizza world’
The pub group’s chef director Ross Pike talks to MCA’s sister title Food Spark about the evolution of its pizza offer, meat-free meals and the benefits of having a development kitchen.
-
Analysis & InsightWe want to be together
With the wider issues facing the market, many believe the UK’s eating and drinking-out sector is ripe for consolidation. However, does it work for everyone involved and, in current conditions, is it a case of looking outside the box for the best partner for your business, asks AlixPartners’ Graeme Smith
-
Analysis & InsightA rallying cry goes out on sustainability
The Sustainable Restaurant Association has called on the industry to step up its efforts to offer more plant-based meals and to tackle food and plastic waste. MCA’s sister title Food Spark takes a look at the target areas in more depth and how some UK operators are approaching the challenge.
-
Analysis & InsightYou need friends – and friendly service
In the first of a new series of regular columns MCA’s market insight director, Steve Gotham, shares some key findings from our Eating Out Panel data of 6,000 monthly consumer interviews. On the back of recent comments from Marco Pierre White that service was more important than food in ensuring fine dining success, Steve takes a look at which brands in the wider sector are delivering on service standards and how the dial has moved over the past year.
-
OpinionTwists and turns
The casual dining sector was once again in the spotlight for the wrong reasons yesterday with the confirmation from Boparan Restaurant Group that it was seeking a Company Voluntary Agreement for its Giraffe and Ed’s Easy Diner brands. James Wallin asks what the decline of the two brands says about the wider casual dining contraction. Meanwhile, with Steve Richards departure from CDG, the two biggest players in the casual dining market are now without long-term leadership. Who would be willing to take on these mantles, and what would their strategies be?