Tue 6th Oct 2015 - CGA Peach unveils Hero Awards shortlist CGA Peach unveils Hero Awards shortlist: CGA Peach has unveiled the shortlists for its 2015 Hero Awards, honouring dozens of outstanding operators across the out of home eating and drinking markets. The shortlists feature no fewer than 62 different brands and companies, plus six individuals, in 15 categories that cover the broad spectrum of restaurants, pubs, bars and cafes. Brands with multiple nominations include Wagamama with four and Bill’s and Five Guys with three apiece. A total of 16 more have two shortlist places. Together, the shortlists present a who’s who of operators setting the standards for others to follow in this vibrant industry. All 15 Hero Awards winners will receive their trophies at a special dinner to follow this year’s CGA Peach 2020 Conference in London on Tuesday 17 November. The invitation-only conference will be attended by around 300 company directors and owner operators. As well as the Hero Awards, the evening will see the presentation of CGA Peach’s Icon Awards, given to individuals who have left a significant mark on the out of home eating and drinking sectors, as well as a Special Award. There are no shortlists for these Awards. CGA Peach’s Peter Martin said: “These shortlists are packed with the brands and people who make our industry great, and we salute them all. Competition for our awards has been tougher this year than ever before – a clear reflection of the incredible diversity and dynamism of our industry now. We are looking forward to celebrating with the winners and all shortlisted operators at our Conference and Awards on 17 November.” CGA Peach’s 15 Hero Awards are in two sections. Nine Industry Hero Awards are voted for by senior executives in the sector, while six Consumer Hero Awards are chosen by the British public via CGA Peach’s quarterly BrandTrack survey. The 15 Hero Awards shortlists are as follows. Newcomer: For still fledgling companies and concepts that have made an impact from the start and are tipped for greatness: Bone Daddies, Coco di Mama, Filmore & Union, Pizza Pilgrims, Thaikhun, White Brasserie Company; Breakthrough Brand: For emerging brands moving from a small chain to the mainstream and showing the potential to grow even further Be At One, Burger & Lobster, Cabana, Coast to Coast, The Breakfast Club, Turtle Bay; Evolutionary Brand: For established concepts and companies which have refreshed and evolved their offer to stay competitive, relevant and growing: Bella Italia ,Bill’s, BrewDog, Busaba Eathai, Leon, Wagamama; Best Destination Opening: For exciting, show-stopping new openings: Big Easy (Covent Garden), Dishoom (King’s Cross), Hawksmoor (Manchester), Red’s True Barbecue (Manchester), The Botanist (ETM, Broadgate Circle), The Botanist (New World Trading Company, Birmingham); Most Admired Brand or Company: For the industry’s most respected concepts and companies as voted for, unprompted, by the sector’s leading operators Bill’s, Dishoom, Hawksmoor, Loungers, Nando’s, Red’s True Barbecue; Best Concept: The concepts with stand out offers in an ultra-competitive market: Burger & Lobster, Byron, Cabana, CAU Franco, Manca, Seafood Pub Company; Best Company (sub 50 sites): The best small and medium-sized businesses with fewer than 50 locations: City Pub Company, ETM Group, Leon, Oakman Inns, Seafood Pub Company, The Breakfast Club; Best Company (50 sites plus): Honouring the bigger businesses which are now beyond 50 sites: Byron, Fuller’s, Loungers, PizzaExpress, The Restaurant Group, Wagamama and Young’s; Industry Leader: The industry’s leading lights who have enjoyed a stellar twelve months at the helm: Danny Breithaupt, (The Restaurant Group) Tom Byng, (Byron) Simon Emeny, (Fuller’s) Jillian MacLean, (Drake & Morgan), Alex Reilley, (Loungers) John Vincent, (Leon).