All Opinion articles – Page 27
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OpinionMartin: ‘It only takes one optimist to agree a daft rent’
JD Wetherspoon’s outspoken founder and chairman Tim Martin shares his thoughts on ‘the insane rent review market’, and why it’s not necessary clear who’s to blame
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OpinionThe Connected Restaurant
The power of data remains a huge and under-exploited opportunity across the sector. Christian Berthelsen, chief technology officer at Fourth, explores how the Internet of Things is re-shaping the way operators interact with their customers and run their businesses.
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OpinionDowney: ‘The classic restaurant model is in trouble’
The man who energised the street-food phenomenon picks the best new grab-and-go concepts and tells MCA’s sister title Food Spark why he is disappointed so few professional chefs have moved into street food.
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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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OpinionAre landlord-only CVAs prolonging the slow death of the high street?
REL Capital chairman Andy Scott asks if the latest wave of CVAs is being used as a disingenuous attempt by high street brands to dodge their rent commitments
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OpinionThe art of the Source
Sourced Market founder Ben O’Brien talks about the art of curating different formats and championing artisan producers
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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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OpinionHow Pret turned values into value
The news that Bridgepoint has agreed to sell Pret A Manger to JAB Holdings marks a new chapter for a brand that has consistently been voted the most admired among sector leaders. James Wallin looks at the values underpinning the brand and what the deal may mean for Pret and its investors – both incoming and outgoing – as well as assessing what wider impact the company’s £1k staff bonus may have on hospitality’s reputation as an employer.
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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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OpinionThe food tech trends shaping the future of hospitality
London Food Tech Week founder Nadia El Hadery picks the key trends are shaping the future of hospitality
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OpinionMCA Introduces: The Florist
The Florist is the newest brand from the rapidly growing New World Trading Company. In a new series, MCA Introduces, James Wallin profiles the concept and talks to NWTC chief executive Chris Hill.
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OpinionCasual dining veteran accentuates the positive
As one of the pioneers of casual dining in the UK, PizzaExpress holds a unique position in the nation’s psyche. UK managing director Zoe Bowley talks to Mel Flaherty about keeping the brand relevant after more than half a century on the high street.
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Opinion
Method behind Usher’s mayhem
Gary Usher is the outspoken chef-patron whose fledgling bistro group punches above its weight. Despite insisting he’s simply winging it, is there actually a calculating business mind behind the bluster? Finn Scott-Delany finds out
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OpinionBrandwatch: Greggs
The bakery food-to-go giant announced this week that it was adopting a “more cautious” outlook regarding performance for the rest of the year as troubles on the high street start to affect growth. Georgi Gyton takes a look at how the brand is setting itself up to even out any bumps in the road
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Opinion
GDPR: The final countdown
The long-anticipated General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) takes effect on 25 May and will have widespread impact on the sector. Here, Poppleston Allen’s Richard Bradley, provides a rundown of the potential consequences – unintended and otherwise – of this major piece of legislation.
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OpinionAround the world in 80 opportunities
In his latest Going Global column for MCA, international franchise expert Jasper Reid, weighs up the pros and cons of the major franchising targets around the world. He also takes a look at some non-traditional locations where UK eating out brands could thrive.
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Opinion
The evolution of the doughnut
In her latest view of the US market, Kerstin Kühn writes for MCA about the evolution of the humble doughnut in the States. She investigates a whole new generation of doughnuteries springing up around the USA, making their mark on the country’s culinary landscape
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OpinionStar is re-born
Heineken’s acquisition of 1,900 Punch sites has seen its Star Pubs & Bars estate treble in size, with a vastly expanded retail contracts division. MCA editor James Wallin talks to Star managing director, Lawson Mountstevens, about the challenges of such a mammoth integration programme.
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Opinion
Rising burger player keeps its cool
Patty & Bun is emerging from its status as cult burger bar to established player with almost a dozen sites. Founder Joe Grossman reflects on the roller-coaster ride in the early years and how he has combined focus and mayhem to build a brand with lasting cool. Finn Scott-Delany reports
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OpinionOur friends in the north
Operators in London often look to the US for inspiration and to find out what is on trend. Should they instead be looking to the talent in the north of their own country. Daniel Cornwell, managing director of SPE Resourcing, looks at the diversity outside the M25 and whether the northern powerhouse can challenge the capital