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Thu 20th Aug 2015 - Propel Thursday News Briefing |
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Story of the Day:UK among best countries for low salt content in children’s meals at fast food restaurants: The UK is among the best countries for having a low amount of salt in children’s meals at fast food restaurants, according to new research. The findings by World Action on Salt and Health (WASH) showed the amount varies widely worldwide and in some cases by as much as the equivalent of ten packets of crisps. WASH tested the same meals at fast food restaurants around the world including McDonalds, KFC and Burger King. The UK rated lowest of all for the KFC popcorn nuggets and fries meal at 0.9g of salt per serving compared to 5.34g in Costa Rica. A Burger King children’s meal burger and fries contains 1.06g of salt compared to Colombia, where the meal contains 4.82g. The UK’s Subway Kids Pak turkey sub contains 1g, compared to Germany, which topped the charts at 1.5g. The UK’s McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets Happy Meal also had the lowest at 0.78g with Turkey coming top with 2.4g. The survey also found only 233 out of 387 children’s food choices had complete nutritional information to allow comparison of salt contents and WASH is calling on all fast food restaurants to provide the details. Nutritionist and international programme lead at WASH Clare Farrand said: “The fact that these fast food chains are able to produce less salty children’s meals in some countries means they can do the same in all countries, and should immediately. All children, regardless of where they are from, should be able to enjoy the occasional meal out as a treat, without putting their health at risk.” The maximum recommended salt intake for children aged four to six is 3g a day and 5g for seven to ten-year-olds. The most anyone should consume is 6g per day.
Industry News:Research reveals demand for more vegetarian options at Christmas: Caterers are being urged to give more prominence to vegetarian dishes on Christmas menus as research reveals over half of diners feel there is a lack of choice when it comes to eating out over the festive period. The independent research, commissioned by Vegetarian Express, reveals 54% of people think there are not enough vegetarian options on menus at Christmas, rising to 65% among women. When asked how many vegetarian dishes customers would like to see when dining out at Christmas, almost two thirds (62%) feel two or three meat-free options would give a better choice, while more than a quarter (27%) think this doesn’t go far enough and demand four or more. Notably, it’s 18-34 year olds – a crucial and significant group for out-of-home spending – who are driving this demand for a greater selection, with over a third (34%) thinking there should be four or more meat-free options available. Will Matier, managing director at Vegetarian Express, said: “Christmas is a vitally important period for caterers, generating more revenue than at any other time of the year. Plus, with gross profit margins typically greater on vegetarian dishes than on meat options, giving a little more thought to vegetarian menus will make for an even more profitable Christmas.”
Downing signs heads of terms with three new pub operating partners, in talks with others: Sector investor Downing has stressed it is still investing in the sector despite partner Steve Kenee warning last week that new tax rules may restrict the activities of EIS-funded pub companies. The new rules, due to come into force in October, look set to prevent EIS-funded pub companies buying an existing business, which would include a pub. Kenee told Propel: “Whilst there is no doubt the upcoming EIS rule changes are bad news for pub companies looking to self-raise funds under the EIS scheme, Downing draws capital from a number of sources and will continue to invest in the sector for the foreseeable future. Indeed, we have signed heads with three new high quality operating partners and are in serious discussions with a number of others.”
Great British Beer Festival attracts more than 50,000 attendees: More than 50,000 people attended last week’s 38th Great British Beer Festival held at Olympia in London. The increase of micro-breweries was clear throughout the festival, with over 350 British ales on tap and a 40% increase in trade tickets reflecting the growing brewing industry in Britain. As well as having beers from Britain, the festival is also home to international beers, including those from the countries involved in the European Beer Consumer Union.
McDonald’s fails to block move to recognise it as ‘joint employer’ of its franchisees’ staff: The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in the US has blocked a move by McDonald’s to delay or kill an effort to have it labelled a “joint employer” of its franchisees’ workers, clearing the way for a final ruling that many industry observers expect could alter the relationship between franchisors and franchisees. In a narrow procedural ruling, the board voted three to two to deny McDonald’s request for a more detailed explanation of the NLRB’s new definition of what it means to be a joint employer or an outright dismissal of the case. “We find that the allegations in the complaint are sufficient to put McDonald’s on notice that the General Counsel is alleging joint employer status based on McDonald’s control over the labor relations policies of its franchisees,” wrote Mark Gaston Pearce, the board’s chairman, and board members Kent Hirozawa and Lauren McFerran.
Historic England seeks details of pubs that could lead to them getting listed status: Heritage body Historic England is seeking details of the nation’s pubs for a research project that could lead to more getting listed status. It particularly wants to hear about pubs built or rebuilt between 1945 and 1985 as part of a new thematic review. The project, which could last up to two years, could then recommend additions to the 11 post-war pubs that already have listed status. Historic England said: “Currently, post-war pubs are a severely threatened building type, with many being converted to other uses or demolished altogether. Through this project we are aiming to help people understand and appreciate these buildings, and hopefully to help protect them.” The buildings nominated need not be still used as a pub and could have been closed, altered or even demolished. Historic England said the information would help ensure “the knowledge of post-war pubs across England is as complete and up-to-date as possible”. Currently just two post-war public houses are listed in their own right – the former Lord High Admiral in Pimlico, London, which is now in use as an Argentinian restaurant and Jack Straw’s Public House in Hampstead, London, which replaced an 18th century pub destroyed during the Blitz. Another eight post-war pubs are currently listed as part of wider development schemes: The Shakespeare – part of the Barbican Estate in London; The Pimlico Tram, Westminster; the former Crowders Well – part of the Barbican estate in London; The Earl George, The Link, The Scottish Queen and The Parkway at the Park Hill estate, Sheffield; The Pride of Pimlico in Westminster and The Cock Tavern at Smithfield Market in London. Suggestions can be emailed to jo.bradley@HistoricEngland.org.uk
Company News:Brakspear owner reports pre-tax profit up 20% to £4.2m: JT Davies & Sons, the parent company for Henley-based pub operator and brewer Brakspear, increased turnover during 2014 by almost 12%, to £19.9m. Growth came primarily from the company’s fledgling managed house division, where turnover increased by £2.1m to £3.6m, and from a 1% uplift in drinks volumes across the total estate. Brakspear expanded its managed division to four sites during 2014, with the lease buy-back of the Chequers in Marlow in September. It also completed a major refurbishment of the Running Horses near Dorking. The managed estate, founded in March 2013, now stands at five sites, following the purchase of the George at Shipston-on-Stour in 2015. Operating profit before the cost of the lease buy back, increased by 8% to £5.8m, and profit before tax and exceptional items was up by 20% to £4.2m. As part of its pub disposal programme, Brakspear sold seven pubs during 2014, the same number as were sold in 2013, meaning the company has disposed of close to 10% of its estate over the last two years. In addition, the old JT Davies Group head office in Croydon was sold last year to the local authority for redevelopment as a school, which, with the pub disposals, generated an exceptional profit of £2.4m. Brakspear invested a total of just over £3m in its pub estate during 2014, including the acquisition of the Henley Brewhouse, renamed as the Station House. Chief executive Tom Davies said: “Above all, the results for 2014 validate our business strategy over the last few years and put us on a strong footing to grow both our tenanted and managed house estates.”
Kitchen deli concept to open at Everards pub: A new kitchen deli concept called Odd John’s Kitchen, offering locally produced artisan food and a variety of workshops, is to open at the Griffin Inn, an Everards pub in the village of Swithland, Leicestershire, on 12 September. Designed to be a working kitchen offering a home from home environment, the kitchen deli will serve customers with freshly cooked food made from locally sourced ingredients that will also be available to purchase. Odd John’s will also be offering a variety of workshops, varying from baking and gin infusing to craft making. Director Jay Cooledge said: “What started out as an idea for a village shop just began to snowball once we decided we wanted to try something a little different. The idea has evolved into an experience more akin to being in someone’s house. Somewhere warm and welcoming, an environment that we hope people will really want to be part of. It is part of Odd John’s mission to support small local artisan businesses and help to put them on the map with their foodie endeavours. To fulfil this mission, Odd John’s Kitchen is on the lookout for small, Midlands-based local food producers and micro craft businesses to showcase their products as well as passion and talent to its customers.” The workshops will provide small businesses the opportunity to share their talent by holding workshops at Odd John’s Kitchen and to sell craft products like aprons, tea towels and small kitchen equipment.
Grand Union reports website traffic up 18% after relaunch: London bar operator Grand Union, led by Adam Marshall and backed by Luke Johnson, has reported an 18% increase in web traffic after it relaunched its website. Taking inspiration from the music sector, Grand Union engaged the services of The Creative Corporation, which has worked with Universal, Warner Music and independent labels for artists including London Grammar, Ed Sheeran and David Gilmour. The new website has enhanced content, accelerated booking functionality and has been optimised for use on mobile; wherein lies the future of connectivity. It provides quick and easy access to information across Grand Union’s locations, events and menus, allowing its users to better interact with Grand Union online. Marshall said: “I never fall off my chair but have recently just picked myself up. I’m very proud of it and think it represents Grand Union to the core.” The relaunched grandunionbars.com has already seen an 18% increase in traffic, rising conversion rates and increased online interaction, as Grand Union aims to grow both on and offline as part of its wider social strategy.
Oak Taverns secures 22nd pub, second with Punch Taverns: Thame-based multi-site operator Oak Taverns has signed an agreement with Punch Taverns for a joint £500,000 investment at the Blarney Stone in Windsor. The Church Lane pub, in the shadows of Windsor Castle, will be closed for eight weeks as it undergoes a major refurbishment that will transform it into the Queen Charlotte, which will offer all the best of a traditional pub together with high quality food, service and modern design. Simon Collinson, director of Oak Taverns, said: “The Queen Charlotte is in a fantastic location in the centre of Windsor and we plan to create something special. It’s about preserving the key elements of a traditional British pub, from a menu dishing up pub classics to an extensive range of real ales, craft beers and gins.” As well as offering the highest quality British cuisine, the Queen Charlotte’s extensive drinks offer will be led by six cask beers, at least half of which will be from local breweries. The Queen Charlotte is Oak Taverns’ 22nd pub and the second with Punch Taverns, the first being The Black Horse in Barnet, which opened two years ago. The business includes a wide variety of operations and different trading formats including three breweries. Cask beer and good quality food is its speciality.
Star Pubs & Bars launches online forum for lessees: Star Pubs & Bars, the Heineken-owned operator of 1,200 tenanted and leased pubs, has launched an online forum for its lessees to help them communicate with one another. The new forum has been set up in response to lessee feedback at the company’s national assembly, which was created to give lessees more of a voice in the ongoing management of Star Pubs & Bars. The online forum enables lessees to exchange ideas, identify solutions to common problems and chat online. The launch builds on Star’s development of annual national, regional and local forums for lessees over the last 18 months, which give lessees the chance to meet up and to discuss challenges and opportunities for the licensed trade with the company’s management team. Chris Jowsey, trading director, said: “From listening to lessees we know that as hands on business people based very much in their own pubs they often miss talking to fellow lessees. The online forum will provide a way for them to easily interact with their peers at a time that suits them without even having to leave their premises. And, we hope that over time, it will develop into an invaluable business tool and support network for sharing best practice and seeking advice.”
Revolution Bar Group to open £1.5m Revolucion de Cuba in Leeds in late October: Revolution Bar Group has set a late October opening date for a new £1.5m Revolucion de Cuba site in Leeds on the corner of Lower Briggate and Call Lane. The new site, creating 100 jobs, will have three bars across three floors. It is opening in the old Baracoa site, with room for up to 700 customers. Brand manager Clint Ghent said: “Call Lane is a great area to be a part of and with this site, it feels like we’re joining up a few different areas of the city. We’re within touching distance of the shopping area, the corporate market is on our doorstep, it’s near a residential area and the train station is just a minute’s walk away. We hope our arrival will help inject more life into this side of town, as we feel it has been a bit neglected.”
Carlsberg reports ‘heightened sense of urgency’ over efficiencies in wake of profit drop: Carlsberg has said there is a “heightened sense of urgency” about the company’s savings programme after it cut its profit forecast for the full year following weak sales in Russia and western Europe. The world’s fourth largest brewer’s profit before tax dropped 22% to 2.43 billion Danish crowns (£230m) in the three months to June. The company said it now expects operating profit to “decline slightly” instead of the mid-to-high-single-digit growth it had initially anticipated. Chief executive Cees ‘t Hart said: “The first half of 2015 has been challenging for the group with weaker than expected results in western Europe and market decline in eastern Europe. In western Europe, we experienced bad weather in quarter two in northern Europe and did not achieve the full range of anticipated savings. For the full year, we therefore do not expect that the strong Asian performance will be enough to offset the weaker than expected results in western Europe and the challenging market conditions in eastern Europe. We have a heightened sense of urgency to execute the efficiency improvement initiatives we started at the beginning of the year. Needless to say, we have a heightened sense of urgency to execute the efficiency improvement initiatives we started at the beginning of the year.”
Atherton delays London restaurant opening until 2016: Jason Atherton is delaying the opening of his next London restaurant until next year as he focuses on his new sites in Dubai and Sydney, Bloomberg has reported. Atherton had planned to open his Japanese restaurant Sosharu in Clerkenwell in the coming months but has now pushed back the date to 17 February 2016. He is opening Marina Social at the Intercontinental Hotel Dubai Marina on 3 September. He told Bloomberg: “I’m here in Dubai for a month, with just one day back in London for my daughter’s birthday. I have to get this right and I do that by physically working in my restaurants. That’s why you don’t see me on TV much. It’s very important to me that wherever you go in the world, my restaurants are good. I don’t want to build a shallow brand based on celebrity. I even hate the term celebrity chef.”
Arkell’s adds Swindon pub to estate: Arkell’s has added a landmark Swindon pub to its estate after the former owners retired. The company is only the third owner of the Southbrook Inn, in Southbrook Street, Ferndale, since it was converted from a farmhouse into a pub some time during the mid-20th century. Brewery managing director George Arkell said: “There are very few pubs like The Southbrook left, not only in Swindon but probably in the south of England. It sits within a strong local community drawn from the residential estates that have grown up around it since Swindon started to grow in the 1950s. It’s a proper town pub with pool and darts teams, and serving traditional pub food and real ales. It’s the sort of pub for which Arkell’s is known best in Swindon.”
Chef to co-launch new steakhouse and beer restaurant concept Beef & Brew: Beef & Brew, a new steakhouse and beer restaurant concept, is to launch its first site in Kentish Town, London, next month. The venture is the brainchild of Jessica Simmons, who set up the kitchen at London Fields Brewery and is Beef & Brew’s head chef, and Daniel Nathan. The menu shies away from loins, ribs and fillets and instead embraces rumps, flat irons and onglets. There are also non-beef dishes including crispy fried chicken and vegetarian options. The drinks’ list is beer focused with Simmons, who worked as a chef for Angela Hartnett at both Murano and the Whitechapel Gallery Dining Room, using it in a number of her recipes. Beer flights will offer the chance to sample a range of brews from across the country while there will also be a range of wines and cocktails. Nathan said: “Jess and I share a love of quality, unpretentious food and Beef & Brew will reflect that. The most important thing is that we’ll have a classically trained chef, dedicating herself to the simple & indulgent.”
Manchester-based entrepreneur launching fifth concept at MediaCityUK in Salford: Manchester-based entrepreneur Carla Taylor is set to launch her fifth concept at MediaCityUK in Salford. Taylor, who already runs Love Conquers All, Penelope’s Kitchen – located within the Pie Factory at MediaCityUK – Penelopes Ice Cream and Dock Grill at the site, is opening Penelope’s Deli. The new venue will offer barista coffee, homemade sandwiches, cakes and outdoor catering. Taylor told Bdaily: “Penelope’s Deli aims to create a communal breakout space for our media workers and many visitors on site. We’ll have a very affordable and simple homemade breakfast and lunch menu using ingredients from the best local suppliers, with a children’s menu for our mini visitors. The space will be interactive with writing tables, music, social columns and fun games. Our new kitchen space which will enable us to expand our event and office catering – which has been extremely popular.”
Marco Pierre White to open pop-up in Southampton: Marco Pierre White is to open a pop-up restaurant at The Grand Harbour Hotel in Southampton next month. The celebrity chef will bring his Wheeler’s of St James’s eatery to the city from 4 September until 20 September, after the hotel’s management team sealed a deal with the chef’s hospitality group, Black & White Hospitality. It will be open to lunch and dinner guests from 4 September, incorporating the full duration of the Southampton Boat Show. Wheeler’s of St James’s is the UK’s oldest fish restaurant brand and the new pop-up venue will serve a selection of its current menu, which includes dishes such as rillettes of duck with prunes d’Argen, rib-eye Boston-style with Oysters, Maldon rock oysters and Wheeler’s fish pie. Pierre White said: “Southampton is a beautiful harbour city and its rich maritime heritage is a perfect fit with the essence of Wheeler’s. We hope it receives a warm welcome from Sotonians and visitors alike. It promises to be a special few weeks.”
Team behind elite London nightclubs set to open new member’s club in Mayfair: The team behind elite London nightclubs Toy Room and Project is set to open a new member’s club in Mayfair, London. Luca Maggiora, Jordan Rocca and Paul Chung are launching Charlie – named after Charlie Chaplin – in Berkeley Street next month, reports The Handbook. The venue will have a maze of secret tunnels, private rooms, hidden entrances and dark corners. It will be decorated in rich leather and feature vintage furniture, curated art, fireplaces and a pool table. Running with the Charlie Chaplin theme, the waiters and waitresses will serve cocktails from Usherette trays and will wear 1920s-inspired outfits. Maggiora, Rocca and Chung have previously launched the Project nightclub in Wells Street and the Toy Room club in Swallow Street. They also opened pizza restaurant and cocktail bar B-Soho in a joint venture with Alula Leisure, which has since closed and is now owned by Scottish brewer and bar operator BrewDog.
Mondo Brewing Company launches on-site tap house: Mondo Brewing Company has launched its first tap house on the site of its brewery in Battersea in London. The venue features 15 keg taps featuring a regularly changing guest line-up of some of the world’s best beers along with Mondo specials. It has been built with vast glass panels in the wall, allowing for an unfettered view of the brewery. The tap house is open on Thursdays and Fridays from 5pm-11pm, Saturdays from noon-11pm and Sundays between noon-5pm. Mondo Brewing Company was founded by Americans Tom Palmer and Todd Matteson last year. The brewery in Stewarts Road features a state-of-the-art 1,000-litre Zip Technologies kit – the first of its kind in the UK – complete with 13 fermenters and a counter pressure filling bottling line. It brews beers including an IPA, Alt, Brown and American Pale and an extensive rotating seasonal range including Double IPA and Imperial Steam Lager.
North east-based catering company launches second restaurant: North east-based catering company Jackson and O’Leary Catering, which is behind Finbarr’s restaurant in Durham, has opened a second venue in the region in Darlington. The company, run by Tom Jackson and Barry O’Leary, has launched Finbarr’s at West Park, spending £70,000 buying the former West Park Cafe. O’Leary told The Northern Echo the coffee shop’s ten staff had been retained and the venue had been changed to be restaurant-led. He added: “This is a great opportunity for us to bring the quality of Finbarr’s Durham to Darlington.” The duo launched Finbarr’s in Durham on the ground floor of the Kingslodge Hotel in February 2010.
Premier Inn agrees deal to buy former Bay Hotel in Aberystwyth: Whitbread-owned Premier Inn has agreed a deal to buy the former Bay Hotel in Aberystwyth, which is currently being converted into its hotel. The company is opening the 62-bedroom hotel and restaurant, which is expected to create about 30 jobs, before the end of the year. It was initially going to lease the building, which is on the seafront, from development company Opus North but has now opted to buy it outright after agreeing a deal for an undisclosed sum.
Opus North managing director Andrew Duncan told the Cambrian News: “We have worked hard with the very supportive Ceredigion County Council to restore this grand old hotel to its former glory and remove an eyesore in an important part of the town. We originally signed up to Premier Inn to lease the hotel, but it became clear it would be in everyone’s best interests if we sold the hotel, with the retail/restaurant unit on the ground floor, to Whitbread. This is an exciting opportunity to promote a more vibrant promenade and seafront, create 30 new jobs, help attract visitors to the area and ultimately boost the local economy.”
Mitchells & Butlers reopens former Orchid site in Sunderland under its Harvester brand: Mitchells & Butlers has reopened the former Orchid site The Sandcastle in the Ryhope area of Sunderland under its Harvester brand. The company has relaunched the restaurant as the Ryhope Harvester after a six-week closure. The venue can take up to 180 guests and has created an additional 30 jobs. General manager Dawn Swanston told the Sunderland Echo: “At Harvester we want to create the perfect place to go to share delicious fresh food and enjoy good times with friends and family, and we’re thrilled to be providing the people of Sunderland with the great tasting food that Harvester is renowned for.” Ryhope Harvester is open daily from 9am-11pm and is the brand’s second site in Sunderland after The Miller’s Inn next to Sunderland Driving Range in Newcastle Road. The refurbishment has been carried out as part of last year’s acquisition by Mitchells & Butlers of 173 sites previously owned by Orchid around the country.
‘High quality’ Canterbury hotel plan gets approval: Plans for a new “high quality” hotel in Canterbury have been approved despite concerns about the effects the project would have on the city’s historical centre. Slatters Development is looking to redevelop the vacant former Slatters Hotel & Ha Ha Bar site in St Margaret’s Street by retaining and restoring the two listed buildings and demolishing the 1960s non-listed elements. The scheme, designed by Guy Hollaway Architects, includes the construction of a five-storey building to house a new commercial unit, a 130-bedroom hotel and a rooftop restaurant and is expected to create about 100 jobs. The plans were approved by Canterbury City Council’s planning committee despite the application attracting a total of 43 letters of objection during the consultation period.
Hammerson unveils plans for £200m extension at Aberdeen shopping centre featuring new cinema and hotel: Property company Hammerson has unveiled plans for a £200m expansion of its Union Square shopping centre in Aberdeen, which includes a new Imax cinema and hotel. The company has lodged a “proposal of application notice” with Aberdeen City Council for the extension, which would create 2,000 jobs. New retail space would be built in the existing outdoor car park, off Market Street, with a new multi-storey car park being constructed to support the new shops. Hammerson hopes to lodge a full planning application before the end of 2015, with a view to securing permission for the development next year. It aims to start work on the extension by early 2017 with the Imax cinema and multi-storey car park opening first and the project being completed by spring 2019. Ryan Manson, general manager at Union Square, told The Press & Journal: “We have consistently brought new and exciting brands to customers in the north-east and the proposed expansion plans will allow us to continue to do so in future.” The existing 700,000 sq ft centre opened in 2009 after being built at a cost of £275m.
Hogs Back Brewery set to harvest its first crop of home-grown hops: Surrey-based Hogs Back Brewery is predicting a healthy first harvest of its hop garden in September, with an expected crop of around 1,500 kilos – enough hops for 25% of its beer output. The 3.5-acre hop garden, which was planted last year adjacent to the brewery, is the biggest owned by a brewery in the UK. Hogs Back planted three hop varieties: Fuggles, used in its flagship TEA ale, Cascade, used in its fast-growing Hogstar English Lager and Farnham White Bine. The latter variety, originally developed in the early 1700s just a mile and a half from the current brewery, made the Farnham area a centre of the hop farming industry during the 18th and 19th centuries. Hogs Back Brewery owner Rupert Thompson said: “We’re pleased with the way our first hop harvest is shaping up. We’re expecting to achieve an 80% yield this year, which is good for a first crop, largely because in their first year we left most of the hops on the bine rather than picking them. The result is stronger plants and we’re hopeful the hops themselves will be of excellent quality despite the growing season being a bit drier than last year. Historically, some British brewers grew hops for their beers, but it was rare and highly dependent on the location and soil type. Reviving this tradition not only provides a more environmental and local solution to a global shortage of aroma hops but it’s also making us more knowledgeable brewers. Last year we learned, for example, that we get a more intense aroma from hops that are left on the bine until the leaves start to brown, which we wouldn’t know unless we were checking our hop plants regularly.”
Speaker programme confirmed for Bar and Nightclub Conference: The full speaker programme has been confirmed for the Bar and Nightclub Conference, which is being held on Tuesday, 27 October at Bafta Piccadilly. Speakers are: Kate Nicholls, chief executive of the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR), Phil Tate, chief executive of CGA Strategy, Simon Chaplin, director and head of leisure and development at Christie + Co, Trevor Watson, executive director of Davis Coffer Lyons, Graeme Bunn, director of Fleurets, Glendola Leisure managing director Alex Salussolia, Riz Shaikh, co-founder of the Columbo Group, David Henkes, vice-president of Technomic, Peter Marks, chief executive of Deltic Group, Exeat Leisure founder Stephen Thomas, Tokyo Industries founder Aaron Mellor, Reuben Harley, chief executive of Eclectic, Alex Hazzard, co-founder of the Burning Night Group, Luke Johnson, of Risk Capital Partners, Andrew Stones, operations director for Be At One and Adam Marshall, founder of Grand Union Group. The conference, the first stand-alone event for this part of the market, examines the key issues affecting the market with contributions from key figures within the sector. Tickets are free for operators and cost £145 for ALMR supplier members and £195 for ALMR non-suppliers. Tickets can be booked by emailing Jo Charity on jo.charity@propelinfo.com
Technomic and Propel partner for UK and US foodservice trends and direction conference: Insights and research firm Technomic is partnering Propel for a full-day conference looking at UK and US foodservice trends and perspectives. The event is on Friday, 18 September at One Moorgate Place in London and attendees will also get a free copy of Technomic’s Top 500 US Chain Restaurant Report and the UK’s leading 100 foodservice brands worth a combined £800. Technomic’s vice-president Dave Henkes will give an industry update on UK foodservice and compare it with the US as well as providing forecasts and beverage trends in both markets. Fellow vice-president Darren Tristano will examine best practice in menu, concept and service among growth concepts as well as looking at consumer demands. Technomic’s Patrick Noone will provide insights on current UK trending menu flavours and preparations and consumer priorities and attitudes. Paul Damico, group president of Focus Brands – which operates several fast-food concepts in the US including Schlotzsky’s Bakery & Café and Moe’s Southwest Grill – will share best practices around creating a unique positioning, culture and growth strategy. Propel managing director Paul Charity will also lead a discussion of senior executives about current consumer trends, menu and beverage trends. Those taking part are: Jon Yantin, commercial director of the ONE Group, Chris Gerard, founder of Innventure, James Nye, managing director of Anglian Country Inns and Ben Levick, director of operations, TCG Group. Tickets are priced at £295 plus VAT for operators and £495 plus VAT for suppliers and are available by emailing adam.dickinson@propelinfo.com
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