CGA has unveiled the shortlists for its 2017 Peach Hero & Icon Awards, honouring dozens of outstanding operators across the out-of-home eating and drinking markets.
The shortlists feature almost 50 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, Nando’s, Miller & Carter and Dishoom.
Emerging concepts bidding for the Newcomer of the Year award, demonstrating the continuing flow of innovation in the sector, include Blacklock, Breddos, Bundobust, Mowgli, Swingers and Temper, while contenders for Breakthrough Brand include entrepreneurial businesses such as Caravan, Flat Iron, Giggling Squid Honest Burgers and Rosa’s Thai.
Top bosses vying for the Leader of the Year accolade this year are London Union’s Jonathan Downey, New World Trading’s Chris Hill, Wagamama’s Jane Holbrook, Simon Longbottom of Stonegate, Ed Martin from ETM and Living Ventures’ Jeremy Roberts.
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 Wednesday 22 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’s Peach Icon Awards, given to individuals who have left a major mark on the out of home eating and drinking sectors – as well as the Special Award given to a non-operator who has contributed significantly to the sector. There are no shortlists for these Awards.
“These shortlists are packed with the brands and people who continue to 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 ever challenging and competitive landscape, as well as the incredible diversity and dynamism of the out-of-home food and drink market. We are looking forward to celebrating with the winners and all shortlisted operators at our Conference and Awards on 22 November.” – Peter Martin, vice president, CGA
2017 Hero & Icon Awards’ shortlists
INDUSTRY HERO AWARDS
Selected by industry peers
Newcomer
For still fledgeling companies and concepts that have made an impact from the start and are tipped for greatness
• Blacklock
• Breddos
• Bundobust
• Mowgli
• Swingers
• Temper (Casper & Cole)
Breakthrough Brand
For emerging brands moving from a small chain to the mainstream and showing the potential to grow even further
• Caravan
• Flat Iron
• Giggling Squid
• Honest Burgers
• Miller & Carter
• Rosa’s Thai
Evolutionary Brand
For established concepts and companies which have refreshed and evolved their offer to stay competitive, relevant and growing
• Coco di Mama
• Gourmet Burger Kitchen
• Las Iguanas
• London Union
• Pho
• YO! Sushi
Best Destination Opening
For exciting, show-stopping new openings of past 24 months
• The Ned, London
• Temper, Soho
• Dishoom, Edinburgh
• Ichibuns, Soho, London
• The Alchemist, Media City, Manchester
• Swingers, London
Most Admired Brand or Company
For the industry’s most respected concepts and companies as voted for, unprompted, by the sector’s leading operators
• Dishoom
• Ivy Collection
• Leon
• Nando’s
• Pret a Manger
• Wagamama
Best Concept
The concepts with stand out offers in an ultra-competitive market
• The Alchemist
• Caravan
• Dishoom
• Franco Manca
• Nando’s
• Wagamama
Best entrepreneurial company (sub 50 sites)
The best small and medium-sized businesses with fewer than 50 locations
• ETM
• Draft House
• Honest Burgers
• New World Trading Co
• Oakman Inns
• Pizza Pilgrims
Best company (50 sites plus)
Honouring the bigger businesses which are now beyond 50 sites
• Fullers
• Leon
• Living Ventures
• Nando’s
• Pret a Manger
• Wagamama
Industry Leader
The industry’s leading lights who have enjoyed a stellar twelve months at the helm
• Jonathan Downey, London Union
• Chris Hill, New World Trading
• Jane Holbrook, Wagamama
• Simon Longbottom, Stonegate
• Ed Martin, ETM
• Jeremy Roberts, Living Ventures
CONSUMER HERO AWARDS
Selected via consumer feedback from the CGA BrandTrack survey
Consumer Choice
For the best big brand across the key metrics of satisfaction, revisit and recommendation
• Cosmo
• Cote
• Five Guys
• Loch Fyne
• Miller & Carter
• Wahaca
Best Quality Brand
For the brands voted best for passion, food quality and freshness
• Cote
• Jamie’s Italian
• Miller & Carter
• Wagamama
• Wahaca
• YO! Sushi
Best Drinks Offer
For the brands considered best for drinks – both alcoholic and non-alcoholic – by their customers
• The Alchemist
• Brewdog
• Cosy Club
• JD Wetherspoon
• Las Iguanas
• Turtle Bay
Brand XP Award
For the brands that keep their customers coming back for great experiences
• Cosmo
• Las Iguanas
• Revolution
• 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
• Caffe Nero
• Greggs
• JD Wetherspoon
• Nando’s
• Pizza Hut
• Wagamama
