Former PizzaExpress CEO David Campbell appointed chair of Ole & Steen’s parent company: David Campbell, the former chief executive of Wagamama and PizzaExpress, has been appointed chairman of Danish Bake Holding, the parent company of Danish bakery concept Ole & Steen. Campbell was previously chief executive of PizzaExpress, The Ivy Collection and Wagamama. In addition, Campbell, who stepped down from leading PizzaExpress in October 2021, has extensive board experience from the hospitality sector – including Hospitality Rising, Pacha Group, Formula One and Bill’s Restaurants. He will succeed Henrik Brandt as chairman of Dane Bake Holdings, which currently operates 26 sites in the UK under its Ole & Steen brand. It said Brandt has chosen to step down to increase focus on his other roles as chairman of Scandinavian Tobacco Group, nemlig.com, Fritz Hansen and Toms Gruppen, among others. The company, which is backed by Nordic Capital, said that with over 30 years of operational and strategic experience from several prominent companies, Campbell will add “valuable hospitality sector and operational expertise to its board”, as Ole & Steen continues to strengthen its position across Denmark, London and New York. Campbell said: “Ole & Steen is a truly differentiated and high-quality concept with substantial potential for further growth. I look forward to taking on the role as chairman and working together with chief executive Jason Cotta and his team to continue the growth journey.” Cotta said: “Ole & Steen is in an exciting phase where we continue to grow and strengthen our market position. David is a highly experienced leader, and I look forward to working with him and I am convinced that his deep experience from the hospitality sector will be a great asset to Ole & Steen.” Brandt said: “Over the past five years, we have established Ole & Steen as a well-loved bakery not only in Denmark, but also in the UK and US, with our international expansion to a point where we today have 30 international locations. To further build on this momentum, it is now time to prepare the company for the next phase, and for me to hand over to a new chairman with deep experience from the international hospitality sector. I would like to thank all for the good and constructive collaboration throughout the years, and I look forward to following Ole & Steen closely in the years to come.” Last month, Propel revealed that Lee Nixon had stepped down as managing director of Ole & Steen. In the interim, the brand’s operations director, Tim Selby, has stepped into the managing director role. In April, the business launched a “grab and go” concept as it opened a new site in London’s Canary Wharf. Catering to the high-traffic commuter area, the new concept at Jubilee Place aims to “create ultimate convenience during precious lunchtimes and peak rush hours”. The company, which has opened in Guildford, London Wall and Kingston since the start of the year, has been linked with further openings in Blackheath, Henley and Marlow. Ole & Steen features in the Propel Turnover & Profits Blue Book. Its turnover of £17,626,566 for the year to 31 December 2021 is the 312th highest in the database. The Blue Book ranks companies by turnover, profit and profit conversion, listing directors’ earnings for the past five years. Companies can now have an unlimited number of people receive access to Propel Premium for a year for £995 plus VAT – whether they are an operator or a supplier. The single subscription rate is £495 plus VAT for operators and £595 plus VAT for suppliers. Email jo.charity@propelinfo.com to upgrade your subscription.

 

Kindred Concepts secures debut US site for F1 Arcade, plans 20 venues in next five years: Kindred Concepts, the parent company of F1 Arcade, the first Formula 1 licensed experiential concept, is to open its first US site. The venue will launch in Boston’s Seaport district in March 2024 and the business is targeting more than 20 permanent sites in the US in the next five years. The concept was created by Puttshack and Flight Club co-founder Adam Breeden, aiming to revolutionise the “traditional idea of a game-centred arcade by bringing in best-in-class food and drink offerings, and creating an experience taking inspiration from the iconic, glamorous world of Formula 1”. The debut F1 Arcade site opened at the One New Change scheme in London’s St Paul’s in November last year, and a second site is set to open, in Birmingham. Covering 16,000 square feet, the Boston space will feature 69 racing simulators designed especially for the venue. The gameplay experience, created by Motorsport Games via its RFactor2 racing simulation platform, allows guests to choose from a variety of racing modes to compete against each other individually, in teams, or as part of all-venue racing formats. The drinks menu will feature Champagne cocktails, craft beer and non-alcoholic options. The food menu will focus on fresh, local ingredients from a scratch kitchen, with refined hero dishes such as Seabass Ceviche and Wagyu Beef Burgers. Breeden said: “Opening our first US location in Boston marks the beginning of our US roll out. Formula 1’s success globally, and particularly in the US, paves the way for F1 Arcade to continue to thrill fans, and also non-fans, with our unique racing experience in a beautiful, high-energy environment with the very best hospitality and service.” Stefano Domenicali, president and chief executive of Formula 1, added: “Formula 1 is enjoying significant growth globally, and we are constantly innovating to ensure we are bringing the highest quality of sport and entertainment to new and diverse audiences. F1 Arcade does exactly this by putting our fans behind the wheel of bespoke racing simulators, so they can feel the thrill of an F1 car first hand, coupled with a premium hospitality offering to match our world-renowned paddock. The success of the London venue so far has been incredible, and we are excited to see the F1 Arcade project continue to grow as it hits the US, starting in Boston.”