Supersonic Hospitality Marketing Podcast Sponsored by NFS Hospitality feat. Mark McC

In this Christmas special episode of Supersonic Podcast, Mark McCulloch hosts a festive discussion with industry experts Laura Harper-Hinton from Caravan, Martin Wolstencroft from ARC Inspirations, James Nye from Anglian Country Inns, and Mark Stratton from Fleet Street. The group shares their insights on the challenges and successes in the hospitality sector for 2024, including new openings, the...

In this episode, Mark McC hosts James Brown, outgoing CEO of BrewDog Bars, co-founder of Tip Jar, and incoming CEO of Prezzo. The discussion covers James' journey with BrewDog, from joining as Operations Director to becoming CEO, including growth milestones, international expansions, PR challenges, and unique marketing campaigns. James shares insights into BrewDog's design philosophy, team buildin...

Show notes In this episode, Mark McC sits down with George Rice, founder of Serious Pig, at Waterloo BrewDog. They explore Serious Pig’s journey from pub snacks to a prominent brand featured in major retailers and airlines. The conversation delves into George’s experiences during COVID, including strategic shifts, product launches, and community marketing efforts. A spotlight is placed on emerging...

In this episode, Mark McC sits down with Richard Harpham, CEO of XP Factory and former Pret strategist. They chat about Richard's career trajectory, including his strategic roles at Pret and Constellation Wines, and his current ventures, Boom Battle Bars and Escape Hunt. The discussion covers the growth and challenges of XP Factory during COVID, the importance of strategic thinking in business sca...

In this episode, Mark McC chats with Simon Mitchell, CEO of KERB and Seven Dials Market, about his path from DJing at 16 to leading a key organisation in London's food scene. They explore KERB's evolution, including its catering business, food hall ventures, and social impact projects, along with its future expansion plans. They discuss London's vibrant food market, favourite spots like Hawke's Ba...

In this episode, Mark McC hosts Shamil Thakrar, co-founder of Dishoom and Permit Room, to delve into the vibrant journey of Permit Room and its homage to Bombay's drinking culture. Shamil discusses the expansion into cities like Oxford, Brighton, and Cambridge, alongside Dishoom's new menu launch and a strategic focus on community-driven marketing, cultural inclusion, and charitable responses to h...

In this episode, Mark McC chats with Ann Elliott, Hospitality Marketing Guru and NED. The conversation covers Ann's insights into customer experience and hospitality operations, and a dive into the evolving role of marketing. They also discuss Ann's career journey, her advocacy for young people and women in business, as well as her role as a chair and board advisor. Ann shares her thoughts on the...

In this episode, Mark McC visits Brewdog in Waterloo to have an in-depth conversation with Michel Roux, legendary chef, restaurateur, author, and broadcaster. They discuss Michel's storied career, including his time at Le Gavroche, why he decided to close it, and what's next for him. The episode covers various aspects of the hospitality industry, including how to attract the next generation of tal...

In this episode, Mark McC welcomes Tom Sheppard, Chef Patron of the Michelin-starred restaurant Upstairs. They delve into Tom's journey in fine dining, from early career milestones to his renowned restaurant's philosophy. Topics include the culinary industry's evolving landscape, Michelin inspections, TV appearances, and the influence of prominent chefs. Additionally, Tom shares insights on managi...

In this episode, Mark McC visits Soho Radio Podcast Studio to chat with Ollie Smith, renowned wine expert known for his roles on BBC’s Saturday Kitchen. They cover an array of topics including the intricacies of orange and canned wine, the rise of non-alcoholic options, and the best ways hospitality operators can connect with customers. Ollie shares personal stories from his work on beloved shows...

Welcome to the Supersonic Podcast Series 10!  Today, Mark introduces the headline sponsor, NFS hospitality, and outlines the stellar guest lineup for a supercharged series, including Olly Smith, Tom Shepherd, Michel Roux, Richard Harpham, and more! Tune in weekly from October 2nd for expert tips, industry news, and inspiring stories. This podcast is sponsored by NFS Hospitality. About NFS Hospital...

In this episode of the Supersonic Marketing Podcast, Mark McC talks with Martin Williams, CEO of Rare Restaurants, which includes Gaucho and M Restaurants. They talk about Martin's journey in hospitality, leadership insights, and the transformation of Gaucho.  The discussion covers important topics such as strong team engagement, innovative marketing strategies, and challenges in the hospitality s...

In this episode, Mark McC interviews two-Michelin-starred chef Akhtar Islam from Opheem. They discuss Akhtar's career, dedication to continuous improvement, and the evolving landscape of Indian cuisine and social media in the culinary world. Insights are shared on the challenges faced by the hospitality industry, the importance of authenticity, and Akhtar's future plans for his restaurant. Their c...

In this episode, Mark McC welcomes Shereen Ritchie, CEO of Buns From Home. Reflecting on her dynamic career across notable venues like Leon, TGI Fridays, and the London Underground, Shereen shares her journey on mentorship, gender equality, and innovation within the hospitality industry. Highlights include her memorable viral moment at the Women's Propel Conference and future aspirations for Buns...

In this episode, Mark McC sits down at Brewdog Waterloo with Robin Rowland OBE, partner at TriSpan. They discuss Robin's significant impact on Yo Sushi as CEO, where he grew the brand through innovative strategies, Robin's investment insights at TriSpan, the importance of emotional intelligence in leadership, and successful investments in hospitality.  Robin also reflects on his 40-year journey in...

In this episode, Mark McC invites Matt Ovington, Director of Research at Salience Plus, to talk about the power of research in hospitality marketing. They explore cost-effective techniques, understanding customer behaviour, and leveraging System 1 and System 2 thinking to boost business performance.  The discussion also covers qualitative and quantitative research, category entry points, and deriv...

In this episode, Mark McSee chats with Patrick McGuigan, a renowned cheese journalist, teacher, and judge. They delve into Patrick's journey from food writer to cheese expert, his role in judging world-class cheeses, and the nuances of different cheese types globally. Patrick also shares insights on cheese's growing popularity in restaurants and the misconceptions surrounding it. The episode concl...

In this special episode, Mark McC sits down with Nick Popovici, CEO and co-founder of Vita Mojo to explore the journey and innovations behind Vita Mojo's restaurant management platform. They talk about Nick's transition from finance to restaurant management, the creation of Vita Mojo inspired by personal dietary changes, and their evolution from a single QSR chain to a major tech provider.  The co...

In this episode, Mark McC sits down with Daryl Connell and Lizzie Ryan from Imbiba to explore their private equity firm's unique approach to investing in the hospitality sector. They talk about support strategies for brands, key trends in health and wellness, casual dining, and technology.  The discussion also highlights recent investments, such as One Rebel and Farmer J, and examines the opportun...

In this episode, Mark McC catches up with Kris Hall, founder of The Burnt Chef Project, to discuss mental health within the hospitality industry. They explore Kris's personal journey, the start of the project through a photography campaign, and its growth into a global initiative offering support and training.  The conversation looks at mental health awareness and support in the high pressure envi...

In this episode, Mark McC visits Soho to meet with David McDowell, former COO and President of Brewdog and current CEO of Stonegate, the UK's largest pub group. The conversation covers David's journey since joining Stonegate, the challenges he's faced, and the strategic changes he's implemented.  They also discuss the importance of pub culture, shifting consumer behaviours, and maintaining value t...

In this episode, we sit down with rock legend Roger Daltrey and his son Jamie Daltrey, the founders of Lakedown Brewing Co. Roger and Jamie discuss their journey of building the brewery on their estate, which also includes trout farming and carp farming. We talk about the highs, the lows, and the importance they place on sustainability and community involvement. They detail their involvement with...

Explore the fascinating world of culinary arts and entrepreneurship with one of the UK’s finest chefs, Ashley Palmer Watts. Ashley shares his extensive experience in the restaurant scene, notably his time with Heston Blumenthal at The Fat Duck. He offers an insider's view into the intricate process of creating innovative dishes and the importance of meticulous ingredient sourcing. We hear about As...

David Campbell is a luminary in the hospitality industry with experience leading iconic brands like Pizza Express and The Ivy to his current ventures in the bakery scene with Ole & Steen. David shares insightful stories from navigating corporate challenges, mastering branding, and spearheading innovative marketing strategies. Together with Mark McC David discusses the transformative impact of AI a...

What makes a pub stand out from the rest and what is the secret behind a good pint of Guinness? Devonshire co-founder and Guinness aficionado Oisín Rogers answers these questions and more in this week’s episode.  Mark McC delves into Oisín’s extensive career in hospitality, exploring his unique path from bypassing university to dominating the pub scene with innovative concepts and a steadfast comm...