All articles by Mark Wingett
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Analysis & InsightA swing and a hit
Competitive socialising has been a rapidly growing sub-sector of the UK leisure market for some time now. Be it crazy golf, darts, ping-pong, escape rooms, shuffle-boards or even axe-throwing, this segment is a broad church. The question raised more than most is will it be a sustainable part of the sector in the long term? With the recent fundraising by Flight Club and now Swingers, that conversation has now moved on to who will be the winners and losers. With a multimillion-pound investment from a leading investment firm, Swingers seems set to be one the formers, writes Mark Wingett.
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Analysis & InsightNeeds must
The Casual Dining Group (CDG) and Wasabi were both featured in the press over the weekend, linked with the need to make necessary changes to their businesses. One is taking a proactive approach to bring landlords to the table to discuss issues it faces with rental levels at a handful of sites, while the other claims it is looking for an injection of capital to support its next phase of growth. But, is one being more realistic with itself and the impact of the current harsh trading environment than the other, asks Mark Wingett.
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OpinionAn Honest Approach
This year is set to be significant for Honest Burgers as it gears up to expand its offer into the regions. Its co-founders explain how, in a crowded and unpredictable market, they see honesty as the best policy.
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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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OpinionAre you adding value? Part 1
With the next quarterly rent call at the end of March looming, the sector is set to enter a crucial period, one that could lead to it fundamentally changing, with businesses questioning their position in it, their own values and value.
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OpinionJust popping out for a while
You are always told to never push your luck, or as my dad used to say “don’t kick the arse out of it”, so after seven years in the privileged position of editor of MCA, it is time make sure I heed that advice and move onwards and upwards in the wider William Reed family.
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Analysis & InsightWhat now for Busaba?
In 2008, Phoenix Equity Partners signed a deal to back restaurant entrepreneur Alan Yau, investing £21.5m in the rollout of the then three-strong Busaba Eathai casual dining chain. Next June will mark the 10th anniversary of that deal and if the company hopes to finally exit the now 15-strong group by then you wonder if it will get anywhere near recouping that initial investment.
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OpinionOliver decides to twist
As of this morning, the man who did more than most to build Jamie Oliver’s restaurant empire can finally take a break from the constant scrutiny and let others worry about where the business is headed
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OpinionGet Carter
There was an oversight at MCA’s annual Restaurant Conference, which took place last month. It was an oversight that some of the leading operators quietly pointed out to me; we had forgotten to mention a growing brand that was having an impact on the performance of parts of their estates – Mitchells & Butlers’ (M&B) premium steakhouse concept, Miller & Carter
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OpinionIn the mixer
When Revolution Bar Group’s shares plummeted nearly 40% back in May it felt very much like a case of when, rather than if, Stonegate Pub Company would make its move for the Mark McQuater-led bar chain. With that steep decline in share price in mind, Stonegate’s 200p a share offer looks likely to lead to a positive outcome for all involved
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OpinionInside track: Byng bows out from Byron
Tom Byng will step down from Byron, the brand he founded in 2007, early next year to “pursue various exciting ventures”. He leaves a concept he created as a now £80m-turnover business, with backer Hutton Collins turning to a new chief executive and chairman, both of which are experienced in operating established brands, that they hope will now cement Byron’s credentials as a national brand and one that eventually has an international presence.
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Analysis & Insight
Tipping point
With staff recruitment and retention at its most challenging and when consumers are demanding more transparency, is it time for sector wide legislation on service charge to be implemented to take out the grey?
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OpinionMRO leads changes for 2015
The last 12 months has witnessed some seismic changes in the UK’s eating and drinking-out market, probably the most significant and far reaching will be the Parliamentary vote for a market rent only (MRO) clause for tied tenants in the pubs code.
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OpinionCareful what you wish for
The dam has broken on M&A activity in the sector and the next 12 months could see an unprecedented number of businesses changing hands and securing new investment, but has the market learnt its lesson from the downturn when it comes to debt?
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Analysis & InsightAll to play for
Prezzo is the latest business in the sector to be put in play in another sign that genuine confidence is returning to the market. But what does the offer for the Jonathan Kaye-led restaurant group mean for the business and its chief executive?
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OpinionTalent spotting
Over the next 18 months the industry is set to experience a sustained level of M&A activity, including a number of big ticket deals, but it is mining for “investment gold” at the other end of the business lifecycle that is increasingly moving to the top of the agenda for sector investors in the rush for the next big thing
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Opinion
The food delivery revolution
Co-founder of high-quality food delivery firm Deliveroo, William Shu, talks to M&C Report editor Mark Wingett about why London residents need a speedy service that offers great meals to their door
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OpinionI’ll have five on it
It’s little more than a year since it arrived in the UK, but US burger phenomenon Five Guys is on the cusp of becoming a national player. Mark Wingett talks to UK managing director John Eckbert and director of operations Marcel Khan about the past year, expansion plans and the paradox at the heart of its success
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OpinionRisking it regionally
The race for operators to spread out of London and the south-east is well and truly on. Does that run the risk of regional property bubbles being formed during the next 12 to 18 months?
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Analysis & InsightPragmatic approach set to pay off
The flexibility of operators to adapt their brands and offers is being tested like never before as consumers stretch their day part needs and continue to shun the traditional weekend marke