Coming Back Stronger Episodes

In this episode, Michael introduces Ruth Jacobs, a registered mental health nurse and founder of Certified Minds, to discuss where mental health efforts in industry have landed and how to create behavioral, cultural, and systems change that builds resilience. Ruth shares her background in CAMHS and eating disorder inpatient care, her experience managing during COVID lockdowns, and how gaps in pediatric mental health training led her to train UK medical teams, schools, and workplaces using simul...

In this episdode, Michael welcomes his longtime friend Yazz Abdulla, previously a guest during the pandemic to discuss food delivery and dark kitchens. They reflect on Copenhagen Street Food’s grassroots style, then focus on founder-led hospitality businesses: founders often stay emotionally attached, operate like self-employed workers, lack systems (ops, HR, marketing, supply chain), misunderstand cashflow, and fail to plan an exit; Yazz advises emotional detachment, self-leadership, disciplin...

In this bonus episode CEO and Co-Founder of Vita Mojo, Nick Popovici gives an extensive overview of the wave of digital transformations that have to happen across the industry during the last 3-6 months. Nick shares his views on where the industry will be 3 years from now. He believes that the winners are the brands which have radically changed their approach to how they run and operate their businesses through technology. At the end of the interview, Nick will share some amazing advice on how...

In this episode, Michael talks with experienced pub operator Kris Gumbrell, CEO of Brewhouse and Kitchen. They are an award-winning pub group and they operate more than 20 pubs spread all over the south of England with more in the pipeline. Kris talks about how the pandemic impacted them as a business and that they have used a people-first approach to ensure that they can get through this together. We also talk about what his view is when it comes to the future of food and drink and what role ...

In this episode, Michael talks with experienced operator and tech CEO Dan Brookman of Airship & Toggle. Two platforms that enable operators to engage customers by generating pre-sold revenue and recency and frequency of visit. They work with great brands like Boston Tea Party, Roadchef, Leon, Revolution Bars, Byron & Turtle Bay Dan has over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, having owned and operated venues in his 20’s. Dan gives an overview on how the pandemic impacted them a...

In this episode, Michael has Head of Operations for The Athenian Patrick Gray as a guest. Patrick has a lifetime of experience from many great brands like Bill's Restaurants, Boston Tea Party and many more. The Athenian was born out of love for Greek food. They launched at the business at the end of 2014, as a small street food venture offering freshly made souvlaki prepared in the healthiest, most authentic way possible. And as you will here they have moved very fast since especially in the ...

In this episode, we have Operations Director Paul Hooker from Boston Tea Party as a guest. The Boston Tea Party is a purpose-driven cafe operator with 24 units across the South-West of England. Paul has more than 20 years of experience in the industry working with some great national brands. Paul and Michael talked about their approach, principles and mindset to navigate the pandemic and beyond. Paul really underlines that their long term purpose as an organisation of Making Things Better for...

In this episode, Michael talks with Joshua Jarvis the Co-founder of Wing Shack Co - a QSR concept with 3 units from London. They talked about how the pandemic has impacted Wing Shack Co and how they quickly transformed into delivery and click and collect model. Joshua gives some great advice on how to adjust and simplify your menu, and how to focus on kitchen capacity as you are preparing for the new normal. He also talks about the importance of developing a number of new revenue streams whil...

Coming Back Stronger is a special edition podcast series focusing on the way food and drinks businesses are bouncing back as the world slowly starts to re-open from COVID-19. We will especially share great stories on how progressive leaders are bouncing back from the pandemic by utilising the power of technology and delivery. By tuning into these conversations in the coming period you will be able to pick up great stories, insights and facts as well as best practices from industry experts,...

in this episode, our guest is Rob Kidd, a management consultant and expert in hospitality technology. Rob and Michael talk about how tech is changing the hospitality industry, how progressive operators are using tech to survive and thrive during and in the aftermath of the pandemic. Rob also gives a number of great advice on how to optimise your digital strategies to ensure short and long term ROI. Takeaways: Tech should save you time and money Digital tools (apps, services, devices) a...

Michael talks with Hugo Engel from Leon Restaurants about how they have pivoted in these challenging times by launching a number of new digital channels as well as feeding our frontline heroes. They also discuss the importance of not only ensure that your operations are safe but also give customers a human experience - contactless but human. This episode will help you to understand how to approach digitalisation of your revenue streams and what the big trends are digital and much more. ...

In this episode, we put together a strong panel with industry experts Peter Backman and Mark McGlinn to discuss the impact of the pandemic on the industry, what operators are doing to survive and thrive now and in the future, the fast evolution of delivery and digitalisation as well as some great advice for operators on how to bounce back. Key takeaways from this episode are: The current impact on the restaurant industry Delivery is changing and third party delivery platforms are losing m...

"Coming Back Stronger" is a special edition podcast series focusing on the way food and drinks businesses are bouncing back as the world slowly starts to re-open from COVID-19. We will especially share great stories on how progressive leaders are bouncing back from the pandemic by utilising the power of technology and delivery. By tuning into these conversations in the coming period you will be able to pick up great stories, insights and facts as well as best practices from industry expert...