More than 60 brands recognised in the industry’s top prizes
CGA Peach has unveiled the shortlists for its 2016 Hero Awards, honouring dozens of outstanding operators across the out-of-home eating and drinking markets.
The shortlists feature almost 60 different brands and companies, plus six individuals, in 14 categories that cover the broad spectrum of restaurants, pubs, bars and cafes. Brands with multiple nominations include Wagamama, Wahaca, YO! Sushi, Pret a Manger, Pho, New World Trading Co, Leon and Franco Manca.
Emerging businesses bidding for the Newcomer of the Year award, include Bao, Darwin & Wallace, Hippo Inns, Levi Roots Caribbean Smokehouse, MOD Pizza and Pint Shop, while top bosses vying for the Leader of the Year accolade include David Campbell of Wagamama, Jonathan Downey of London Union, Simon Emeny of Fuller’s, Jillian MacLean of Drake & Morgan, Steve Richards of Casual Dining Group and Leon’s John Vincent.
Together, the shortlists present a who’s who of operators setting the standards for others to follow in this vibrant industry. All 14 Hero Awards winners will receive their trophies at a special dinner to follow this year’s CGA Peach 2020 Conference at The Brewery in London on Tuesday 23 November. The invitation-only conference and presentation dinner is the industry’s top networking event of the year, and 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. There are no shortlists for these Awards.
CGA Peach’s Peter Martin says: “These shortlists are packed with the brands and people who make our industry great, and we salute them all. Competition for our awards is as tough as ever this year – a clear reflection of the competitive landscape and the incredible diversity and dynamism of the out-of-home food and drink market now. We are looking forward to celebrating with the winners and all shortlisted operators at our Conference and Awards on 23 November.”
2016 CGA Peach Awards’ shortlists
INDUSTRY HERO AWARDS
Selected by industry peers
Newcomer
For still fledgling companies and concepts that have made an impact from the start and are tipped for greatness
· Bao
· Darwin & Wallace
· Hippo Inns
· Levi Roots Caribbean Smokehouse
· MOD Pizza
· Pint Shop
Breakthrough Brand
For emerging brands moving from a small chain to the mainstream and showing the potential to grow even further
· Comptoir Libanais
· Cosy Club
· Franco Manca
· Giggling Squid
· Pho
· White Brasserie Co
Evolutionary Brand
For established concepts and companies which have refreshed and evolved their offer to stay competitive, relevant and growing
· Alchemist
· Be At One
· Bella Italia
· Leon
· Pret a Manger
· Wright Bros
Best Destination Opening
For exciting, show-stopping new openings of past 24 months
· Alberts Schloss (Manchester)
· Big Easy (Canary Wharf)
· Botanist (Newcastle)
· Ceviche (Old Street, London)
· Drake & Morgan (Kings Cross)
· German Gymnasium (King’s Cross)
Most Admired Brand or Company
For the industry’s most respected concepts and companies as voted for, unprompted, by the sector’s leading operators
· Franco Manca
· Leon
· Pho
· Pret a Manger
· Wagamama
· Wahaca
Best Concept
The concepts with stand out offers in an ultra-competitive market
· Botanist
· Dinerama
· Dishoom
· Franco Manca
· Itsu
· Wahaca
Best entrepreneurial company (sub 50 sites)
The best small and medium-sized businesses with fewer than 50 locations
· Breakfast Club
· Drake & Morgan
· ETM
· K10
· New World Trading Co
· Pho
Best company (50 sites plus)
Honouring the bigger businesses which are now beyond 50 sites
· Casual Dining Group
· Fullers
· Loungers
· Pret a Manger
· Nando’s
· Revolution Bars
· Wagamama
Industry Leader
The industry’s leading lights who have enjoyed a stellar twelve months at the helm
· David Campbell, Wagamama
· Jonathan Downey, London Union
· Simon Emeny, Fuller’s
· Jillian MacLean, Drake & Morgan
· Steve Richards, Casual Dining Group
· John Vincent, Leon
CONSUMER HERO AWARDS
Selected via consumer feedback
Consumer Choice
For the best big brand across the key metrics of satisfaction, revisit and recommend
· Côte
· Loch Fyne
· Miller & Carter
· Turtle Bay
· Wahaca
· YO! Sushi
Best Quality Brand
For the brands voted best for passion, food quality and freshness
· Carluccio’s
· Jamie’s Italian
· Loch Fyne
· Miller & Carter
· Wagamama
· YO! Sushi
Best Drinks Offer
For the brands considered best for drinks – both alcoholic and non-alcoholic – by their customers
· Alchemist
· Botanist
· BrewDog
· Cosy Club
· TGI Fridays
· JD Wetherspoon
Brand XP Award
For the brands that keep their customers coming back for great experiences
· Five Guys
· Las Iguanas
· TGI Friday’s
· Turtle Bay
· Wahaca
· YO! Sushi
Power Brand
For the leading brands of the sector ranked by usage, satisfaction, reliability and trust – and an industry vote
· Greggs
· Nando’s
· Pizza Express
· Toby Carvery
· Wagamama
· JD Wetherspoon