All Wagamama articles – Page 14
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NewsRROTY 2019 finalists announced
The finalists for the Retailers’ Retailer of the Year Awards have been announced, including multiple nominations for Stonegate, The Restaurant Group and New World Trading Company (NWTC), among others.
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NewsTRG FY lfls down 2%
The Restaurant Group has reported like-for-like sales down 2% for the 52 weeks to 30 December 2018.
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Analysis & Insight
Opportunities despite knocks
The next 12 months will be another tough year for the UK’s eating and drinking-out sector, and the gulf between great operators and the rest will widen. However, with 2018 proving there were still opportunities to grow and secure investment, AlixPartners’ Graeme Smith considers the outlook for 2019.
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Analysis & InsightThe Dom Walsh Awards 2019
Our regular columnist hands out his annual awards to brands and operators who have made the past 12 months newsworthy – for better or for worse
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NewsKoh Thai Tapas closes Salisbury site
Koh Thai Tapas has closed its Salisbury restaurant on Endless Street, according to the Salisbury Journal.
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NewsCookie cutter rollouts should be consigned to history
Tim Mutton, founder of specialist F&B design agency Blacksheep, discusses his concerns that rapid rollout programmes have led many brands to mimic the look and feel of competitors. He asks why the sector has not kept up with the relentless pace of innovation in other industries and argues that the successful operators will be the ones with the courage to do things differently.
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NewsAnalysts corner: Wagamama
On the back of Wagamama’s Q2 trading update (see below), Peel Hunt analysts Douglas Jack and Ivor Jones have noted that costs “continue to surge”. They take a look at the prospects for the brand and its new parent company, The Restaurant Group, throughout 2019.
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NewsWagamama Q2 lfls up 12%
Wagamama saw UK like-for-like sales (lfls) grow 12% in its second quarter - the 12 weeks to 11 November.
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NewsA love letter to Wagamama
As The Restaurant Group prepares to complete its acquisition of Wagamama today, outgoing chief executive Jane Holbrook shares her thoughts on what has made the brand stand out. Speaking to MCA earlier this month, Holbrook talks about the culture, the interaction with guests and the underlying innovation that is key to the company.
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NewsWagamama to pay staff £1k deal bonus
Outgoing Wagamama chief executive Jane Holbrook has told MCA that the decision to give staff a £1,000 bonus on completion of the sales of the business to The Restaurant Group, was “simply the right thing to do”.
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NewsDecember 2018
In the final MCA journal of 2018, we bring you the headline findings from our Foodservice Delivery Report and focus on two key challenges for operators – people & property. In particular, we look into the changing nature of the high street, new charity Only A Pavement Away, which helps the homeless gain employment in hospitality, and explore opinions on the apprenticeship levy. We also profile the man who put Wagamama on the map, Ian Neill, and pay tribute to his mentor, Peter Boizot.
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NewsTough times provide scope for excellence
Jon Midmer of global executive search firm JMA gives his view on the past year in recruitment and what to expect in 2019. He discusses the trend for hospitality executives heading to the leisure sector and the leadership qualities that are likely to come to the fore in 2019.
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Analysis & InsightThat was the year that was in M&A
This year has been far from the barren 12 months many predicted for sector M&A activity. Strong businesses with good management teams have continued to generate significant interest, especially in the drinks-led sector. AlixPartners’ Graeme Smith reflects on the major deals and themes that emerged.
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NewsTRG rights issue taken up by 92%
The Restaurant Group has announced the takeup for its rights Issue – to fund the acquisition of Wagamama - at 92%.
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Analysis & InsightStudy claims restaurant and pub dishes unhealthier than fast food
A study by the British Medical Journal has suggested food served in pub and restaurant chains is unhealthier than that of fast-food chains.
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Analysis & InsightYO! Sushi best regarded for healthy eating
YO! Sushi is the best regarded restaurant brand in terms of its healthy eating options, MCA research finds.
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NewsRooney Anand to chair CDG
Rooney Anand, the outgoing chief executive of Greene King, has been appointed non-executive chairman of the Casual Dining Group, the Café Rouge and Bella Italia operator.
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OpinionPizza pioneer
The inventor of the UK’s casual dining industry, an inspiration to a generation of restaurant entrepreneurs and the founder of what today is the country’s biggest restaurant brand, PizzaExpress, Peter Boizot, who sadly passed away yesterday at the age of 89, can lay claim to all of those descriptions and more. Here was a life, truly well lived, and one that shaped the industry as we know it, arguably more than most. Mark Wingett talks to those he inspired and worked with, including Ian Neill, Luke Johnson, Hugh Osmond and Harvey Smyth.
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NewsCapdesia amongst Wasabi bidders
London-based private equity firm Capdesia, which was founded last year by Christopher Unrath and Niels Lorijn, formerly of US private debt firm CapitalSpring, is one of the remaining bidders to acquire a stake in Wasabi, the sushi and bento chain.
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NewsMcCue increases stake in TRG
Andy McCue, chief executive of The Restaurant Group, has shown his confidence in the company’s acquisition of Wagamama being a positive for the business, after acquiring close to c£50,000 worth of shares in the Frankie & Benny’s operator.