All Opinion articles – Page 54
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Opinion
The little chain with Bigg ambitions
Led by Richard Bigg – a man who excels in creating authentic Spanish eating and drinking experiences – highly regarded Camino is on the cusp of an ambitious programme for growth
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OpinionThe odd couple
Hawksmoor founders Will Beckett and Huw Gott’s unconventional approach has resulted in one of the industry’s big success stories – but things weren’t always so rosy
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OpinionI predict a…
Stefan Chomka looks ahead to what 2014 has in store, with 10 predictions, some “dead-certs” like Alan Yau’s opening of ‘Asian gastropub’ Duck & Rice rekindling publicans’ desires to return to the heady days of the mid 1990s where a Thai restaurant was the pub accessory du jour; and some more avant-garde, including the possible opening of bread and butter concept called B&B
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Opinion
A surprise and a space race
After a long interview process, which allowed him to get to know Mitchells & Butlers’ (M&B) people, and business fundamentals, and also hear a candid assessment from the board on what they thought needed to be done to transform the company, Alistair Darby admits that there was only one surprise awaiting him when he took up his new role as chief executive last October
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OpinionA sales opportunity, just for starters
While US consumers most often order starters for consumption prior to a meal, a good proportion of them are purchased as main dishes, sides or snacks, says Darren Tristano, senior managing director of Technomic, the Chicago-based foodservice consultancy and research firm
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OpinionGrowing from solid foundations
Earlier this month, Punch Taverns was named Business Enabler of the Year at the National Business Awards its Foundation Tenancy (PFT) lease agreement. Giles Kendall, operations director for Punch and project leader, talks about the develop of the agreement, the challenges the company faced incorporating it and how it has fundamentally changed the way Punch works with its licensees
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OpinionSpirit of evolution
Chris Welham was faced with a “blank sheet of paper” when he took charge of Spirit Pub Company’s leased estate 18 months ago. With the decline in net income across the division now halted, Welham is busy evolving the estate, with new agreements and support packages aimed at leveraging the benefits of the group’s managed arm. John Harrington caught up with him
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OpinionConduit of creativity
Restaurateur Jamie Barber underlines the importance of innovation in the industry and tells M&C Report of his plans for the Cabana and Hush restaurant brands
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OpinionSector to find more space for rooms
Following the food revolution, the next growth area for the pub sector is gearing up to be accommodation, with a number of operators set to invest significant funds into growing their room stock over the coming 18-24 months and as overseas tourists return to the UK
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OpinionTurning point for the sector
This year will come to be seen as a turning point in the market, argues Peter Hansen, founder of Sapient Corporate Finance
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Opinion
JW Lees PBT grows 23.1%
JW Lees, the Manchester-based brewer and pub operator, saw pre-tax profits grow 23.1% to £5.9m in the year to 31 March and it reiterated plans to expand after securing a £10m facility from the Royal Bank of Scotland
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OpinionLiving the Guy life
Guy Newell talks about running casinos for the Shah in Iran, setting up a multi-million pound business, and recounts his experiences with Playboy bunnies
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OpinionLabour and the pub trade
How would a “One Nation” Labour Government help the pub industry? In this extract from his speech at last week’s Business in Sport & Leisure Conference, the party’s shadow business minister Toby Perkins discusses pubcos, tax, skills and supermarkets
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OpinionAvoiding the "Black Hole"
Last Wednesday’s R200 event again highlighted the sector’s ability to attract some of the best entrepreneurs and management teams in the UK, but it was also highlighted that for every success story, many concept founders can still fall down the “black hole” of business growth. At the same time, Punch Taverns will hope that the first week in December will be third time lucky for its debt restructuring proposals
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OpinionThink before you let revenue drip away
Analysts say the pub sector must make further inroads into food to generate £1bn in extra sales and counter falling drinks volumes. Martin Hall, chief executive of Free Drinks, says there is an easier way to redress the balance and it involves operators not giving away £1bn in lost revenue every year in the form of tap water
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OpinionPubs for the win
Young people are incredibly savvy with their spare change, knowing where the cheapest pint is poured, which pair of jeans will last the longest, and how many hours can be squeezed from one video game
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OpinionRising to the top
The new concessions trial with Next is just one of the bold moves Patisserie Valerie, the Risk Capital Partners-backed group has made this year. More moves into new avenues are on their way and a possible sale process/IPO play next year is a growing possibility
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OpinionPubco for sale, two careful owners
Orchid boss Rufus Hall is on a charm offensive as he tells Rob Willock the story of the group’s rise and rise from the ashes of a pre-pack to a successful estate of 250 pubs that are positively blooming
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Opinion
European Union
Despite a slow start on these shores, German-owned restaurant group Vapiano aims to become a key player in the UK’s hugely competitive pizza-pasta market, says managing director Phil Sermon