Brand Standards are Still in the Foundation to a Great Guest Experience

8th May 2015

Brand standards are still the foundation to a great guest experience, says Steven Pike, and staff do not have to be robots in order to stick to one and then deliver the other.

For many operators, “brand standards” has almost become a dirty phrase, as they look to offer customers an individual, unique experience, whether they are an independent restaurant or a chain of 300 venues.

YO! Sushi and Carluccio’s to Begin US Expansion in Coming Weeks

15th April 2015

YO! Sushi and Carluccio’s to begin US expansion in coming weeks: YO! Sushi and Carluccio’s will embark on expansion in the US in the coming weeks. YO! Sushi, which operates 86 restaurants world-wide, is to open two sites under franchise in the US this month – it opens on 22 April at Westfield, Garden State Plaza, Paramus, New Jersey and 24 April at University Town Center, Sarasota, Florida.

Personal License Renewals to be Scrapped

27th March 2015

Personal licence renewals ‘scrapped’: The Home Office has confirmed the abolition of personal licence renewals from 1 April 2015. Solicitor John Gaunt said: “This news, just confirmed by the Home Office, is what operators have been waiting for, for some time and will now avoid the need for personal licence renewals going forward, something which was becoming an increasing headache.

5 New Sites Secured for Brasserie Blanc

16th March 2015

Brasserie Blanc secures pipeline of five sites for pub concept, praises tenanted pub company landlords, warns on high street unsustainbility: Brasserie Bar Co pub arm White Brasserie Co’s five pubs are now averaging more than £30,000 per week in sales – and there are now five sites in the pipeline, chief executive Mark Derry has told the Propel Multi Club Conference.

Former Tragus Reports Rapid Progress and Expansion to 500 Sites

16th March 2015

Casual Dining Group reports rapid progress in plan to double profits – and eyes expansion to 500 sites: The Casual Dining Group (CDG), formerly the Tragus Group, has revealed rapid progress on its plan to double profits from its current platform of 200 “great leases in great locations”. CDG’s three-year ‘platform for growth’ plan focuses on Bella Italia and Café Rouge after the sale of Strada and a “benign” CVA restructuring that meant debt reduced from £354m to £91m, chief executive Steve Richards told the Propel Multi Club Conference.