HUNGRY. is the podcast for Challenger Food and Drink brands wanting to pour gasoline on their growth. We interview successful founders and thought leaders, exploring their unique journey from painful failures to glorious triumphs. The goal is simple: prov
Espresso's are powered by our brand new sponsor, Unleashed!1. What on earth is Unleashed, I hear you asking?Unleashed is Inventory management software that talks to your financial and eComm software. We use it daily at Islands. It's BANGING!!2. Why Unleashed will change your life as a foodie founder?Cut admin time in half. Save money. Lots of money. Get lucid clarity on margins. Be all over cash flow, after all cash is king. Manage stock and cash flow.3. The biggest brands in FMCG love love UnleashedYour fave brands like Candy Kittens, Tiny Rebel, TRIP use religiously. Tarquins Gin, Three Spirit, Minor Figures, The Turmeric Co., Volcano Coffee4. Do yourself a favourGET YOURSELF 2 MONTHS FREE USING THIS magical link♨️Still bloody HUNGRY? Course ya are. Each week I spend 15 hours writing my newsletter. It'll take you 5 mins to read. Full of wisdom from the biggest names in food and drink. Subscribe here
Today's poddy is sponsored by Square. Square is the all-in-one restaurant tech platform designed to streamline operations and give hospitality business owners the time back to focus on growth. Square is Big In Restaurants - which is the name of its latest UK marketing campaign - offering everything you need for day-to-day service, including Square's payments, point of sale and reporting capabilities. Whether you're a single-location FSR, a multilocation QSR, a bar or a multi-concept restaurant, improve the flow of orders and find more ways to keep profit in your pocket. For more information visit
Espresso's are powered by our brand new sponsor, Unleashed!1. What on earth is Unleashed, I hear you asking?Unleashed is Inventory management software that talks to your financial and eComm software. We use it daily at Islands. It's BANGING!!2. Why Unleashed will change your life as a foodie founder?Cut admin time in half. Save money. Lots of money. Get lucid clarity on margins. Be all over cash flow, after all cash is king. Manage stock and cash flow.3. The biggest brands in FMCG love love UnleashedYour fave brands like Candy Kittens, Tiny Rebel, TRIP use religiously. Tarquins Gin, Three Spirit, Minor Figures, The Turmeric Co., Volcano Coffee4. Do yourself a favourGET YOURSELF 2 MONTHS FREE USING THIS magical link♨️Still bloody HUNGRY? Course ya are. Each week I spend 15 hours writing my newsletter. It'll take you 5 mins to read. Full of wisdom from the biggest names in food and drink. Subscribe here
Julian said every mistake he ever made boiled down to two things...When you lose sight of these two core relationships...Product Customer.Simplicity Complexity.Get these right.LITERALLY everything else falls into place.ON THE MENU:How to Scale from 7 to 17 to 70 Sites… “70% of issues you'll face is losing focus product and customer”Founder Mode = Just make the product better. Never stop making your product better. Complexity is Organisational Cancer. Constantly find simplicity in complexity.Barnacles on a Boat Rule: constantly remove complexity.Why Simplicity is HARD, complexity is EASY.ITSU's Unique Hiring Policy, the 4 qualities I care I take pride I want to grow I build trustWhy Product is always bigger than the founder and the teamITSU Character QualitiesBe thankfulBe thereBe accountableBe braveBe there. Stay close to your customers, always.Never let bad negative energy get in the way of pursuing excellenceBrand Building is a very simple formula: customers + product ripped up lost touch of simple formula of product & customerBe objective and truthful about your product + Inconvenient truth: your product is everythingHuman energy oils the wheels of the machineSeth Godin: This is crap = this is I careWhy you must stick with hard that's where Excellence is built
Espresso's are powered by our brand new sponsor, Unleashed!1. What on earth is Unleashed, I hear you asking?Unleashed is Inventory management software that talks to your financial and eComm software. We use it daily at Islands. It's BANGING!!2. Why Unleashed will change your life as a foodie founder?Cut admin time in half. Save money. Lots of money. Get lucid clarity on margins. Be all over cash flow, after all cash is king. Manage stock and cash flow.3. The biggest brands in FMCG love love UnleashedYour fave brands like Candy Kittens, Tiny Rebel, TRIP use religiously. Tarquins Gin, Three Spirit, Minor Figures, The Turmeric Co., Volcano Coffee4. Do yourself a favourGET YOURSELF 2 MONTHS FREE USING THIS magical link♨️Still bloody HUNGRY? Course ya are. Each week I spend 15 hours writing my newsletter. It'll take you 5 mins to read. Full of wisdom from the biggest names in food and drink. Subscribe here
Will Murray and Jack Croft are like NO ONE ELSE.Yes, incredible chefs - serving 10/10 BANGING food,But, also GENIUS marketeers,They RIPPED UP the rule book,Zigged when everyone Zagged.Built Fallow, Fowl, Roe to enormously successful restaurants,The World has changed.The way to build a successful restaurant has changed, too.Our conversation shows you how.ON THE MENU:Why Canary Wharf is the Craziest place to open a Restaurant: “lean into site surprises + “adapt to your customers + environment”Why You Must Deliberately put yourself in the shit… “remember at your worst you can still do your best”Cook to Chef to Restauranteur Evolution: “Everything is a positive learning experience” + harness the power of fight or flightWhy Your Job as The Restauranteur is the Orchestrator of Energy “Pick high energy> everything”Customers Sixth Sense Rule: “…customers can just tell when the team is unhappy”900 Cover Sunday‘s Rule = Personal pride + show your team you can get hands dirtyHow to Use Media to get Bums on Seats: the food must meet the expectation and ACTUALLY taste goodWhy negativity is SO EASY, yet, positivity is SO HARD… positivity is the right choiceHow DINNER & Ashley Palmer Watts taught Will & Jack Systems. Systems = Volume + ConsistencyWhy Your Inner Critic is Your Secret Weapon: You're thick skinned because no one is a greater critic than youClucking Off Hour Chicken Wings: Always find creative way to pack out your restuarant.Blue Roll On Brand Rule: constantly look for ways to cut money that's also on brand “conscious creativity”Why Fallow Won't Put Up Their Prices in 2025: just sell more roastsRemember Everyone you admire is doing way more work behind the scenes than you thinkThe Genius Reason Fallow Give Out Free Tequilla Shots to Customers.. Control the Energy”Ruthless Transparency = Radical Trust: Why Fallow tell customers gross margin %'sKeep it Moving. Always Keep It Moving
Espresso's are powered by our brand new sponsor, Unleashed!1. What on earth is Unleashed, I hear you asking?Unleashed is Inventory management software that talks to your financial and eComm software. We use it daily at Islands. It's BANGING!!2. Why Unleashed will change your life as a foodie founder?Cut admin time in half. Save money. Lots of money. Get lucid clarity on margins. Be all over cash flow, after all cash is king. Manage stock and cash flow.3. The biggest brands in FMCG love love UnleashedYour fave brands like Candy Kittens, Tiny Rebel, TRIP use religiously. Tarquins Gin, Three Spirit, Minor Figures, The Turmeric Co., Volcano Coffee4. Do yourself a favourGET YOURSELF 2 MONTHS FREE USING THIS magical link♨️Still bloody HUNGRY? Course ya are. Each week I spend 15 hours writing my newsletter. It'll take you 5 mins to read. Full of wisdom from the biggest names in food and drink. Subscribe here
Founders, please don't swap your PURPOSE for PROZAC.“when you exit…you're drowning in the 3 D's”.“Divorced, Depressed, Dyslexic” - Guy Singh-Watson.Guy breaks ALL the brand building rules Riverford Organic.Famously, told the supermarkets to F*CK OFF. Unapologetically, gave away over 26% of his exit dough BACK to the team. LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this poddy!! ON THE MENU:Nature & Brand Building Lessons: Humility + Strength of Diversity + CollectivismWhy Richard Dawkins “Selfish-Gene” is WRONG… “collectivism and collaboration happens in nature….we're not competing all the time”Charles Darwin's “Natural Selection” + Survival of The Fittest Brand “Diversity builds the fittest brand”Founders ACCEPT you have NO CONTROL “…we are just a cork being kicked down the stream” but also ACCEPT you control everythingHow Founders can use their Demons wisely “mental breakdowns are doors to epiphany”Why Creativity is overthinking used positively and Anxiety is overthinking used negativelyWhy Rich People are Tw*ts and Boring CompanyWhy Neo-Liberalism Religion has ruined the world “…money became a proxy for love”Why Self-Love = Accepting you don't HAVE to be perfectWhy Riverford IGNORE all traditional marketing… “the best marketing is DIFFERENT story telling” + NEVER let sales dictate creativeThe Human Condition isn't the Neo-Liberal Meta-Narrative: Macro Neo-Liberal, Micro CollectivistJonathan Hiadts: “90% chimp, 10% Bee” brand building theory
Loved this one with Aussie Donnie Troy from Coqfighter.The early stage of the brand building journey is fun.you're so naive,everything is neweverything is freshIt's better than your “…old boring corporate job”But, at some point, it becomes hard.Unimaginably hard.Doubt soars in.Confidence wanesThe joy fades a little.Paul Graham calls it The Trough of SorrowThis episode will help you through Your Trough of SorrowWith a healthy seasoning of marketing, fried chicken and Lynard Skynard “free bird”Huge thanks to my boy for setting this one up.ON THE MENU:Why going ALL IN on your life's work will feel like “Work feels like play but also pain”Nassim Taleb's Barbell strategy for successful fried chicken shop: Micro/Macro, Systems/customer flairZen and The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: why you need peace from mind vs. peace of mindWhy you must treat every part of your business as a “community”Too Many Stickers Rule: Why Bottom Up Leadership ALWAYS beats Top DownSeth Godin Competitors vs Colleagues Rule: Don't hate your competitorsWhy London is The Best City to Launch a Food & Drink BrandA La Carte Fried Chicken Menu + Alex Smith's Unique Points of Disagreement RuleBrand Building Lessons from Harley Davidson “offer people Status and Affiliation”
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How Do We Fix Poor Mental Health in Hospitality for Women and the LGTBQ+ community? Zan Kaufman of Bleecker Burger has some thoughts.Intense. Hilarious. Raw.Soul-irking. Thought-twisting conversation with ZahnBleecker Burger.ON THE MENU:Accept your why and purpose will FLUCTUATE as you build your brandYour Circle of Us vs Circle of NowDiverse should make truthWhy Racism and Sexism is rife in every organisation + how to solve itHow Bleecker solve sexual harassment “no one's immune to it”How Bleecker build a company culture that actually LISTENS to its employeesIt's an extension of you, how you see if your suppliers are an issue?Who are your suppliers? If you're suppliers aren't inclusive BIN THEM IMMEDIATElYThe Bleecker handbook & Nudging theory: nothing happens over nightHow to Lead with Humanity at the core of everything to help othersunconscious bias in these companies & Bleecker has unconscious biasHow to actually hire a diverse workforceSimple is NOT easy. Consistency.onion wonderland - Alice and Wonderlandjourney into the beef underworldConsistency gets you out of bed. Consistency should be hard.Change happens from consistently having hard conversations. Create a history of open hard uncomfortable conversations as you get bigger ==============================================
Espresso's are powered by our brand new sponsor, Unleashed!1. What on earth is Unleashed, I hear you asking?Unleashed is Inventory management software that talks to your financial and eComm software. We use it daily at Islands. It's BANGING!!2. Why Unleashed will change your life as a foodie founder?Cut admin time in half. Save money. Lots of money. Get lucid clarity on margins. Be all over cash flow, after all cash is king. Manage stock and cash flow.3. The biggest brands in FMCG love love UnleashedYour fave brands like Candy Kittens, Tiny Rebel, TRIP use religiously. Tarquins Gin, Three Spirit, Minor Figures, The Turmeric Co., Volcano Coffee4. Do yourself a favourGET YOURSELF 2 MONTHS FREE USING THIS magical link♨️Still bloody HUNGRY? Course ya are. Each week I spend 15 hours writing my newsletter. It'll take you 5 mins to read. Full of wisdom from the biggest names in food and drink. Subscribe here
The biggest HURDLE every challenger brand faces? The moment a founder hires a Senior executive.Founder Operator tension is always bull-ragingly bombasticOperators joining challenger brands is like a well-polished CowBoy mounting a Raged Spanish BullOperators must control founders rage, steer vision, channel energy, calm zeala Supple Art, Elusive Science so many get wrongHonour to sit down for an Operator Masterclass with Graham xxx from Ole & SteenHUGE!!! thanks to legends at UberEats and Sam Nicanui for setting up this conversation.
Espresso's are powered by our brand new sponsor, Unleashed!1. What on earth is Unleashed, I hear you asking?Unleashed is Inventory management software that talks to your financial and eComm software. We use it daily at Islands. It's BANGING!!2. Why Unleashed will change your life as a foodie founder?Cut admin time in half. Save money. Lots of money. Get lucid clarity on margins. Be all over cash flow, after all cash is king. Manage stock and cash flow.3. The biggest brands in FMCG love love UnleashedYour fave brands like Candy Kittens, Tiny Rebel, TRIP use religiously. Tarquins Gin, Three Spirit, Minor Figures, The Turmeric Co., Volcano Coffee4. Do yourself a favourGET YOURSELF 2 MONTHS FREE USING THIS magical link♨️Still bloody HUNGRY? Course ya are. Each week I spend 15 hours writing my newsletter. It'll take you 5 mins to read. Full of wisdom from the biggest names in food and drink. Subscribe here
Espresso's are powered by our brand new sponsor, Unleashed!1. What on earth is Unleashed, I hear you asking?Unleashed is Inventory management software that talks to your financial and eComm software. We use it daily at Islands. It's BANGING!!2. Why Unleashed will change your life as a foodie founder?Cut admin time in half. Save money. Lots of money. Get lucid clarity on margins. Be all over cash flow, after all cash is king. Manage stock and cash flow.3. The biggest brands in FMCG love love UnleashedYour fave brands like Candy Kittens, Tiny Rebel, TRIP use religiously. Tarquins Gin, Three Spirit, Minor Figures, The Turmeric Co., Volcano Coffee4. Do yourself a favourGET YOURSELF 2 MONTHS FREE USING THIS magical link♨️Still bloody HUNGRY? Course ya are. Each week I spend 15 hours writing my newsletter. It'll take you 5 mins to read. Full of wisdom from the biggest names in food and drink. Subscribe here
The CRAZIEST Rory Sutherland Conversation EVER + 20 New Marketing Rules You've Never Heard. Buckle up, strap up for an ADHD Orgy with the G.O.A.T.
Espresso's are powered by our brand new sponsor, Unleashed!1. What on earth is Unleashed, I hear you asking?Unleashed is Inventory management software that talks to your financial and eComm software. We use it daily at Islands. It's BANGING!!2. Why Unleashed will change your life as a foodie founder?Cut admin time in half. Save money. Lots of money. Get lucid clarity on margins. Be all over cash flow, after all cash is king. Manage stock and cash flow.3. The biggest brands in FMCG love love UnleashedYour fave brands like Candy Kittens, Tiny Rebel, TRIP use religiously. Tarquins Gin, Three Spirit, Minor Figures, The Turmeric Co., Volcano Coffee4. Do yourself a favourGET YOURSELF 2 MONTHS FREE USING THIS magical link ♨️Still bloody HUNGRY? Course ya are. Each week I spend 15 hours writing my newsletter. It'll take you 5 mins to read. Full of wisdom from the biggest names in food and drink. Subscribe here
DEE-lighted to welcome back the OG Giles Brooks on to the poddy. Recorded at our supper club at The Drapers Arms a coupla weeks ago. So many brands get stuck in the £2 - £5 million pondThe trough of sorrowThe dipThe grindGiles, as always, gives super straightforward answers to complicated problemsHUGEEEE WHOPPIN thanks to the Data Donnies North Star for making this happenON THE MENU:Why brands get stuck in the £2 - 5 mill pond and don't become house hold brandHow big is your brand WHY really: does your brand better meeting a current need state or unlock a new need state that hasn't been met yetWhy you MUST communicate your brand's shopper + consumer WHY to trade regularlyVita Coco's Secret Consumer Triangle for buyers: where do you pull in consumers from? performance, health, 0g sugarHow SURREAL used LinkedIn as a sales channel to bring in 35% of their salesRiya All The Aunties: how do you create a category from scratch? “focus on the need state” + addressable audience + use other categories to demonstrate size of opportunityThe SIMPLE way to House Hold Brand: just own ONE occasion. 20% consumers drive 70% of revenueBear Snacks: How to use Shopper vs. Consumer Data to inform marketing: “who's eating” vs. “who's buying”Founders PLEASE ALLOW great talent to LEAVE: always take a 10/10 hire for 3 years vs. a 6/10 hire for 7 years1000 true fans to 100,000 secondary fans rule: How do you help your consumers feel like they've DISCOVERED your brand so they garner Status + ConnectionKeep The Main Thing, The Main Thing: always invest in proximity to purchaseGiles' Bullet Proof Marketing Plan to ensure any new Grocery listing is a SUCCESS ==============================================
Espresso's are powered by our sponsor Unleashed!1. What on earth is Unleashed, I hear you asking? Unleashed is Inventory management software that talks to your financial and eComm software. We use it daily at Islands. It's BANGING!!2. Why Unleashed will change your life as a foodie founder? Cut admin time in half. Save money. Lots of money. Get lucid clarity on margins. Be all over cash flow, after all cash is king. Manage stock and cash flow.3. The biggest brands in FMCG love love Unleashed. Your fave brands like Candy Kittens, Tiny Rebel, TRIP use religiously. Tarquins Gin, Three Spirit, Minor Figures, The Turmeric Co., Volcano Coffee4. Do yourself a favour. Feel free to reach out to the utter legends Josh and Bryony at Unleashed, book in a 20 min chat with this magical link. Even if nothing comes of it, it's worth having a chat.Click this magical link: https://hubs.la/Q023F_V90
This week we have a throwback to an incredible convo with the co-founder of TRIP, Olivia Ferdi.Maybe I am wrong.For yonks I've been waxing ad nause aboutNarrow and Deep.Focus.Do less, better.Be a Meaningful specific.It's what every wonderful guest on the poddy teaches me.TRIP ripped up the rule book.Definition of outlier.TRIP is for everyone and anyone, anywhere, anytime and everywhere.TRIP is a coffee replacement. Booze replacement. Cocktail mixer. Meal Deal enhancer. Grab & Go.All charged with a beautiful mission: Be Kind to your Mind.Won listings at Co-op Sainsbury's, Waitrose & Partners, @Annabel's, Soho House & CoOlivia Ferdi is the latest guest on Hungry. Oh boy. You're in for a treat.ON THE MENU:1. Why your brand must be chameleon to be a truly omni-channel brand – lessons from Annabel's, Mayfair and Co-Op.2. Why your brand should act as a PROMPT to unlock an emotion in people – TRIP own “Be Kind to Your Mind”3. How TRIP won a Bill's listing in 4 weeks – when one door shuts, open a window. Be fluid.4. How to repurpose your brand and shelf space to unlock more occasions = more consumption = more £ wonga.5. How TRIP raised £10 million quid – do you really need presentation a deck?6. Why founders must actually seek and embrace stress it's a gateway forward.Every top food and drink founder reads our Newsletter - why wouldn't you? https://hungryfeast.beehiiv.com/Watch the full shabang on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@HungryFMCG/videosLet's link up on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-pope/Stalk me on Insta- https://www.instagram.com/_hungry.pod/ ==============================================
Full episode on youtube here - https://youtu.be/WgI81HTrOv0============================================
In 2001, the London Food World was pallid, tepid, insipid. Clotted cream Miserable MehThankfully, two legends CHANGED EVERYTHING.Sam Hart & Eddie HartSwam upstream, zigged against zagging zeitgeist. Opened an array of spell-binding restaurants 2003 - Fino with genius Nieves 2007 - Barrafina 2012 - Quo Vadis with living-legend and food encyclopaedia, Jeremy Lee 2015- El Pastor And, more recently, Parillian, Bar Daskall Ghosts in Quo Vadis, MAD house parties in Manchester, wild techno nights in Mexico city, losing money for 12 years, dogged persistence, the supple art of the perfect hostProper garrulous n' gallivanting chinwag this one with Sam Hart ON THE MENU: 1. **The Art of The Perfect Host:** Mad house parties in Manchester, wild techno nights in Mexico City. 2. **Hospitality is:** “Enjoying other people enjoying the enjoyment you've put on.” 3. **How Sam & Crispin Created the World's Best Nightclub in Mexico City:** “You need good people for a good party.” 4. **Why Nightclubs Are SO DIFFERENT from Restaurants:** - Nightclubs = constriction + release. - Restaurants = release, always. 5. **Barrafina's Secret to Making Customers INSTANTLY RELAXED:** “If your team are having fun, your customers are having fun.” 6. **What Looks Like RELAXED Service Is the TOTAL Opposite:** - Jimmy Carr: “Don't rise to your goals, fall to your systems.” 7. **The Genius of Jeremy Lee:** How he turned Quo Vadis around after 12 years of losing money. 8. **The Dogged Persistence Rule:** Always ask yourself, “How can I jump out of bed, excited, in 20 years' time?” 9. **Why “Culture Is Infectious”:** - “When it's infectious, it's impossible to break.” - “But it can also be cancerous.” 10. **Economics of Restaurants – Why Barrafina Doesn't Serve Tea:** - “Spend per hour is essential.” - “Turning tables quickly.” 11. **ALWAYS INVEST in What Makes the Customer HAPPY:** - “There's a BIG difference between scrimping and being in control.” 12. **The Nefarious Unintended Consequences of Over-Promoting:** - Crisis of confidence in the team. ==============================================
Espresso's are powered by our brand new sponsor, Unleashed!1. What on earth is Unleashed, I hear you asking?Unleashed is Inventory management software that talks to your financial and eComm software. We use it daily at Islands. It's BANGING!!2. Why Unleashed will change your life as a foodie founder?Cut admin time in half. Save money. Lots of money. Get lucid clarity on margins. Be all over cash flow, after all cash is king. Manage stock and cash flow.3. The biggest brands in FMCG love love UnleashedYour fave brands like Candy Kittens, Tiny Rebel, TRIP use religiously. Tarquins Gin, Three Spirit, Minor Figures, The Turmeric Co., Volcano Coffee4. Do yourself a favourFeel free to reach out to the utter legends Josh and Bryony at Unleashed, book in a 20 min chat with this magical link. Even if nothing comes of it, it's worth having a chat. Click this magical link♨️Still bloody HUNGRY? Course ya are. Each week I spend 15 hours writing my newsletter. It'll take you 5 mins to read. Full of wisdom from the biggest names in food and drink. Subscribe here
You'll NEVER learn these lessons in a marketing bookTod is a GENIUS marketeer. Built an enormous 7 figure business all from his iPhone 11.Toby Inskip built an ATTENTION-GRABBING MACHINE.Drool, scrollDrool, scrollDroll and scroll and drool some moreTod injects a giddy wanderlust to the blossoming London Food WorldEnter Flavour Funky TownTastebud Tinsel TownPlease Sir, Can I have Some More, More, MoreHuge thanks to Uber Eats', Sam Nicaudie for providing the Mountains of Munch from lip-smackingly wondrous restaurantsFocaccia MiaEgg SlutSmashing PlatesON THE MENU:1. Why “Little Marketing” beats “Big Marketing”: Brand Deals and Influencer Marketing has CHANGED and so must you2. Steal Like An Artist: How Todd makes you hallucinate through craft and word wizardry3. Gordon Ramsay + Fabric Nightclub & Tacos ONE RULE for Growth: Be Ferociously Consistent4. Jay Z “I'm not a Businessman; I'm a Business, Man”. How Tod built a HUGE business off his following5. Chips & Fish Attention Rule: Some Marketing Should Piss People Off (Happily)6. How Tod Developed The Art of Storytelling… “get behind the scenes, find their stories”7. How a Job In Construction Set Todd Up For Success: “There is no other way than the hard way”8. The Loneliness of Going Solo: How Tod survived the lonely chapter of turning side hustle to full time gig9. Gravy Down Face Rule: Todd's Proven Formula to GRAB ATTENTION + VIRALITY: the first 3 seconds is everything ==============================================
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Super fun time with legend Nina Parker Our conversation was a Curiosity Carnival massaging my insatiable loves creativity, restaurants, stuffing-my -ace, writing, brand building If you love food, love brand building, you'll love this Oh! If you're watching on YouTube people are asking if I've started painting my nails like a Hackney HipsterDipster Nay, I dropped a f*ck off big kettle bell on my finger and it's gone completely black
Espresso's are powered by our brand new sponsor, Unleashed!1. What on earth is Unleashed, I hear you asking?Unleashed is Inventory management software that talks to your financial and eComm software. We use it daily at Islands. It's BANGING!!2. Why Unleashed will change your life as a foodie founder?Cut admin time in half. Save money. Lots of money. Get lucid clarity on margins. Be all over cash flow, after all cash is king. Manage stock and cash flow.3. The biggest brands in FMCG love love UnleashedYour fave brands like Candy Kittens, Tiny Rebel, TRIP use religiously. Tarquins Gin, Three Spirit, Minor Figures, The Turmeric Co., Volcano Coffee4. Do yourself a favourFeel free to reach out to the utter legends Josh and Bryony at Unleashed, book in a 20 min chat with this magical link. Even if nothing comes of it, it's worth having a chat. Click this magical link♨️Still bloody HUNGRY? Course ya are. Each week I spend 15 hours writing my newsletter. It'll take you 5 mins to read. Full of wisdom from the biggest names in food and drink. Subscribe here
Honour to sit down with Tom Molnar, co-founder of GAILS's. What Tom's built in GAIL's is truly amazing.You're in for a treatON THE MENU:Skateboarding & Slaying Monsters & Building GAIL's: “Be in Flow” + Don't let Big hot shot executives ruin the flowWhy a FOOD business MUST make FOOD decisions… “STOP adding more business to the business for the sake of business”The GAIL's No Celebration Cakes Rule: “Understand something deeply and make it better” + “Don't change it before you know it”Why GAIL's Competitive Advantage is an INSIDE JOB.. “Don't change the thing that made you great”GAIL's + Seth Godin's “Circle of Us & Circle of Now”: Your Purpose Must Widen as You ScaleThe Different Founder Mode Gears: Accept you'll NEVER switch off, but you can switch gears: “Sleep is an active part of your life”Black Belt Leadership Lesson ONE: Shut The F*ck Up and Listen. Listen first. Act Second.Black Belt Leadership Lesson TWO: Creativity across the WHOLE business + “…let your team play jazz”Why Brand Building is Like Water: a complex system, it never stands still, keep movingSlow is Smooth, Smooth is Fast: you need speed humps to slow you downHow GAIL's Charge £4.30 for a coffee: “The world has voted that it wants good coffee”Why Joy is Different from Happiness. Joy Comes from Doing HARD Things. Hard Things = Fulfilment.The Gail's Algorithm for Picking Success Sites (this is GENIUS): Science is Art, Art is Science: “art is always asking questions”Why It's a SuperPower to Believe The Best Days Are Ahead of UsSausage Roll Rule Food decisions vs business decisions: How do we sell more? vs. How do we make it better?One year business plans are DUMB copy, Invent: What's this going to look like in 5 or 10 years?==============================================
Espresso's are powered by our brand new sponsor, Unleashed!1. What on earth is Unleashed, I hear you asking?Unleashed is Inventory management software that talks to your financial and eComm software. We use it daily at Islands. It's BANGING!!2. Why Unleashed will change your life as a foodie founder?Cut admin time in half. Save money. Lots of money. Get lucid clarity on margins. Be all over cash flow, after all cash is king. Manage stock and cash flow.3. The biggest brands in FMCG love love UnleashedYour fave brands like Candy Kittens, Tiny Rebel, TRIP use religiously. Tarquins Gin, Three Spirit, Minor Figures, The Turmeric Co., Volcano Coffee4. Do yourself a favourFeel free to reach out to the utter legends Josh and Bryony at Unleashed, book in a 20 min chat with this magical link. Even if nothing comes of it, it's worth having a chat. Click this magical link♨️Still bloody HUNGRY? Course ya are. Each week I spend 15 hours writing my newsletter. It'll take you 5 mins to read. Full of wisdom from the biggest names in food and drink. Subscribe here
DEEE-lighted to welcome this ABSOLUTE JOKER on the poddy Henry Hayes creates f*cking hilarious content Behind the comedy is a whopper-big-brain, whipper-smart wittyHenry is Head of Marketing at Passionfruit - who work with PepsiCo, AB InBev, MarsIn This Is Strategy Seth Godin, all ideas are built on TimeGame Empathy Systems Marketing Strategy is like Comedy Marketing like Comedy is built on empathyMarketing like Comedy is playing games Marketing like Comedy is understand the system you're in, like a fish knowing it's in water Marketing like Comedy is understanding the complexity of the human soul Marketing like Comedy is seeing things no one else noticesLoved the Seth Godin, Will Storr podcasts? Similar poddy with a heavy seasoning of scatty, profanity, debauchery ON THE MENU:1. Jimmy Carr: How to Find Your Edge: Weird complimentary strengths + lean into weird idiosyncrasies2. The Hidden Pressure of going to Eton (god, we sound like w*nkers) - “you're meant to do great 3. How Henry Turned His Life Around: Swapping Prozac for Purpose 4. The Genius of Raff and Passionfruit: more starts ups must allow employees to build their own personal brands 5. Nike's Brand Building Strategy Secrets: Global vs. Local - “you only need to be important in 12 cities” 6. The Art of Small, Meaningful Life Changing Events “Value first; Product second”. 7. If you put blood, sweat and tears into it, people can feel hard work in their bones 8. Marketing Lessons from Shakespeare's Comedy: Understand Complexity of Human Beings==============================================
Espresso's are powered by our brand new sponsor, Unleashed!1. What on earth is Unleashed, I hear you asking?Unleashed is Inventory management software that talks to your financial and eComm software. We use it daily at Islands. It's BANGING!!2. Why Unleashed will change your life as a foodie founder?Cut admin time in half. Save money. Lots of money. Get lucid clarity on margins. Be all over cash flow, after all cash is king. Manage stock and cash flow.3. The biggest brands in FMCG love love UnleashedYour fave brands like Candy Kittens, Tiny Rebel, TRIP use religiously. Tarquins Gin, Three Spirit, Minor Figures, The Turmeric Co., Volcano Coffee4. Do yourself a favourFeel free to reach out to the utter legends Josh and Bryony at Unleashed, book in a 20 min chat with this magical link. Even if nothing comes of it, it's worth having a chat. Click this magical link♨️Still bloody HUNGRY? Course ya are. Each week I spend 15 hours writing my newsletter. It'll take you 5 mins to read. Full of wisdom from the biggest names in food and drink. Subscribe here
⬇️ REGISTER FOR TICKETS TO LIVE PODCAST & SUPPER CLUB WITH GILES ON 25TH FEB BELOW ⬇️https://forms.gle/bHgQQg9EkVYTMw368If you want to EXIT your brand for MILLIONS $$$Make dat COIN boi-shee.Bread. Dough. Wonga. Moolah.This is THE most important podcast I've ever recorded.Honour to sit down with INDUSTRY LEGEND legend Giles Brook.ON THE MENU:Why Challenger Brands Must Understand The Way You Exit has COMPLETELY CHANGED: Giles'he Gold, Silver Bronze of True Gross Margin and EBITDAPLEASE STOP Manipulating TRUE Gross Margin: D2C brands don't hide CAC in the P&L… it must come under true gross margin. 40% minimum.Why “Multiples of Revenue exit is completely DEAD”. EBITDA multiple = 12x vs. Revenue multiple =. 1.9xWhy in 2025 Challenger Brands Must Become a Proper Business Earlier …”challenger brands must become a proper business much earlier” + Set up value chain EARLIERBio & Me Innovation-to-Exit Strategy: Brands must INNOVATE Close to the CoreBig Exit Rule No.1: BRAND BRAND BRAND.. “I've seen amazing businesses on paper, unable to exit as they have a crap brand… I've seen okay businesses, with an insane brand, have huge exit”RedBull Zero Law: Innovation Doesn't Need to Be Whacky + “Format Innovation is The Best Kind of Innovation”Vita Coco's CONSUMPTION EXPANSION Law to Piss Easily 6X Your Rate of Sale: Bigger format = more units in fridge = winder consumption opportunity = higher ROS = higher revenueHow To Commit Brandiscide in Grocery: slag off competition, buy listings, invest in ATL campaigns when you've got 200 storesATL Campaigns are pointless when you're small, Invest in Purchase ProximityThe Founderitis Symptom: Founders in board meetings never think like a CONSUMER but ABSOLUTELY MUSTThe Coconut Wars: How Vita Coco smashed Innocent and Pepsico to become the biggest Brand in EuropeThe Battle of Addiction in Founders + Why Brand Building Should Be Brutal.The Founder vs. Operator Tension: True Challenger Operators Need to Roll Their Sleeves UpWhy 90% of Exit Deals Fall Through + How to Ensure Your Brand is Exit-Ready in 2025
In this conversation with the founders of LoCal Beer, fostering a creative culture and the process of distinguishing strong ideas from weaker ones. Creativity Doesn't Require a Huge Budget – The discussion emphasized that disruptive ideas don't always need big budgets. Using parody and playful marketing can create impactful branding moments.The "Golden Mead" Campaign for Camden Town Brewery – A spontaneous idea born from reading a news headline led to a limited-edition honey mead beer celebrating footballer Beth Mead's success during the Women's Euros. The concept was quickly approved and went from idea to launch in just three weeks.The Stella Artois Unfiltered "Naked Pub Signs" Activation – To extend the brand's “Oh Natural” campaign, the team created nude versions of traditional British pub signs. This idea took a year to develop but resulted in a unique, well-received activation.Creative Sales Tactics for Retail Partnerships – To get a meeting with Co-op buyers, the team made a Spotify playlist where each song spelled out a pitch. Later, they sent a sample box with an inflatable balloon that popped out with a message from their mascot.The Fine Line in Outreach to Retail Buyers – The founders discussed the challenge of standing out without being overly persistent. While creative approaches like playlists and gifts worked, overly aggressive tactics—such as showing up unannounced—led to negative reactions from retailers.Espresso's are powered by our brand new sponsor, Unleashed!1. What on earth is Unleashed, I hear you asking?Unleashed is Inventory management software that talks to your financial and eComm software. We use it daily at Islands. It's BANGING!!2. Why Unleashed will change your life as a foodie founder?Cut admin time in half. Save money. Lots of money. Get lucid clarity on margins. Be all over cash flow, after all cash is king. Manage stock and cash flow.3. The biggest brands in FMCG love love UnleashedYour fave brands like Candy Kittens, Tiny Rebel, TRIP use religiously. Tarquins Gin, Three Spirit, Minor Figures, The Turmeric Co., Volcano Coffee4. Do yourself a favourFeel free to reach out to the utter legends Josh and Bryony at Unleashed, book in a 20 min chat with this magical link. Even if nothing comes of it, it's worth having a chat. Click this magical link ♨️Still bloody HUNGRY? Course ya are. Each week I spend 15 hours writing my newsletter. It'll take you 5 mins to read. Full of wisdom from the biggest names in food and drink. Subscribe here
Riding Solo on el poddy this weekFancy riding shotgun?Simply shove my waffle in your ears.This week, I've picked 11 lessons from the 4 years of podcasting with INSANE GUESTSI'm referring to these DAILY. So hope they help you too.4.5 years of value, stuffed into 45 mins.Get ya chops round it asapLemme know if you like these, can do more. May do a sales one tooON THE MENU:1. THE SINGLE Biggest lesson from Luke Boase and Emma Heal, Lucky Saint | B Corp™ 2. Giles Brook: 3 Game Changing Brand Building Laws - You don't have a brand unless you have these.3. David Hieatt, Hiut Denim Co: This episode for founders, is Calpol for the Soul. Why Scale Kills Magic. Banging Brand Strategy in 3 Questions3. Julian metcalfe, Pret A Manger and itsu: The single biggest mistake he made in scaling (just avoid these)4. James Watt, BrewDog Nassim Taleb. Barbell Strategy = AntiFragility5. Alex M H Smith, No Bull Sh*t Strategy: The Spirituality of Strategy in 2 Easy Questions6. Why The Smart Answer Lies in The Dumb Question7. Rory Sutherland, Seth Godin and David Ogilvy = Why all great marketeers aren't ACTUALLY marketeers8. James Bailey, Waitrose & Partners CEO: “Not checking Availability is scoring an own goal”9. Lucy Busk (Wright), Nice | B Corp™ Wine: 3 Easy Questions to Become a Sales Superstar in 42 minutes.10. Imme Ermgassen Botivo Drinks | B corp: 4 Questions to build a brand with LITERALLY NO COMPETITION
Espresso's are powered by our brand new sponsor, Unleashed!1. What on earth is Unleashed, I hear you asking?Unleashed is Inventory management software that talks to your financial and eComm software. We use it daily at Islands. It's BANGING!!2. Why Unleashed will change your life as a foodie founder?Cut admin time in half. Save money. Lots of money. Get lucid clarity on margins. Be all over cash flow, after all cash is king. Manage stock and cash flow.3. The biggest brands in FMCG love love UnleashedYour fave brands like Candy Kittens, Tiny Rebel, TRIP use religiously. Tarquins Gin, Three Spirit, Minor Figures, The Turmeric Co., Volcano Coffee4. Do yourself a favourFeel free to reach out to the utter legends Josh and Bryony at Unleashed, book in a 20 min chat with this magical link. Even if nothing comes of it, it's worth having a chat. Click this magical link ♨️Still bloody HUNGRY? Course ya are. Each week I spend 15 hours writing my newsletter. It'll take you 5 mins to read. Full of wisdom from the biggest names in food and drink. Subscribe here
An EXTRAORDINARY conversation on leadershipLaden with Sparkling Easter Eggs of WisdomYou'll never find these in a-gimpy-bore-you-to-death-business-book.Osh is an wonderful storytellerWe recorded the poddy in the infamous Green Room.The Green Room hides behind the bar, where punters clamour, chinwag and pine-for-pintsIt's sacred. sacrosanctSplashed with art.Sensory overload.At night, it morphs into every texture, shade and flavour of raucous fun.If you're curious about some of the artwork discussed in the back half of this conversation...Deffo recommend watching this in Youtube in 4K.ON THE MENU:Your Job as a Leader is to “take away the silent interferences”: 1% alone doesn't make the difference, when 1% difference add upThe Devonshire 3 Week Waiting List Secret to create Happy customers: Happiness is Reality - ExpectationsWhy More Publicans Should Think and Act Like Stormzy after GlastonburyWhy Service is Black and White, and Hospitality is ColourWhy “Hospitality” is an AWFUL name and Needs a Rebrand “…we're in the business of looking after people”Danny Meyer's “Salt Shaker Principle” vs. Osh's “Point North” Leadership PrincipleThe Devonshire Value For Time vs. Value For Money RuleWhy The Devonshire THINK like Retail Business “your product is a memorable experience that can be traded as a story”.The Devonshire No Shots Rule + Bottom Up Leadership.. “Great Ideas Come From a Single Place, Not a Committee”Daniel Khaneman Behavioural Economics: The Peak End Rule + Always Bring The Card Machine With BillWhy The Devonshire have a Secret Medicine Cabinet to Keep Customers SweetThe Legend of Sujan: ALWAYS Explain as leaders WHY we are doing somethingWhy 1% Improvement Doesn't Take Away from Enjoyment “Solving Problems is Cathartic” ==============================================
Espresso's are powered by our sponsor Unleashed!1. What on earth is Unleashed, I hear you asking? Unleashed is Inventory management software that talks to your financial and eComm software. We use it daily at Islands. It's BANGING!!2. Why Unleashed will change your life as a foodie founder? Cut admin time in half. Save money. Lots of money. Get lucid clarity on margins. Be all over cash flow, after all cash is king. Manage stock and cash flow.3. The biggest brands in FMCG love love Unleashed. Your fave brands like Candy Kittens, Tiny Rebel, TRIP use religiously. Tarquins Gin, Three Spirit, Minor Figures, The Turmeric Co., Volcano Coffee4. Do yourself a favour. Feel free to reach out to the utter legends Josh and Bryony at Unleashed, book in a 20 min chat with this magical link. Even if nothing comes of it, it's worth having a chat.Click this magical link: https://hubs.la/Q023F_V90
Honour to sit down and chinwag with Marketing Genius, James Smith.James built a WHOPPA social following through honest, direct, empathetic marketing.Last year, he moved into the challenger space, launching Neutonic (a nootropic blend of research-backed ingredients to help boost your productivity) with Chris Williamson and Luke Betts.Our conversation is JAM-PACKED with GOLD.ON THE MENU:The Success Paradox: “Never stop doing the things that make you successful, as you get successful“Billboard vs. iPhone Rule: The Attention Landscape is CHANGING FAST, don't let your EGO get in the way.Ted Talk vs. Tinder Confidence Rule: “Confidence in one part of your life, doesn't equal Confidence in other parts of your life” = ACTION = way out of everythingWhy “Negativity” is Progressive Overload for Creativity: get slightly pissed off to get creativeThe Ugly Sibling HONEST Marketing Rule: “We have 3 flavours, and this is the worst”Uber Surcharge Happiness Rule: “All Wins Feel The Same”, so celebrate every small win the same as the big win.George Mack Optimism Rule: Why there's more USA Comedians vs. UK ComediansHow Neutonic will SMASH PRIME to pieces: Build a Brand SEPARATE From Your Personal BrandUnusual Ju Jitsu x Marketing Laws: Force Yourself into Mistakes = Uncomfortable positions = Unexpected Outrageous upsidesWhy Sh*t British Weather Is a Super Power Creating So Many Extraordinary IndividualsWhy Clapham Fitness Influencers are RUINING the World + DeclinismNassim Taleb's Psychological Barbell Strategy for Creativity: High Self-Doubt vs. High Self-BeliefSwimmers Body Illusion Fallacy: “You Don't Pick Your Sport, Your Sport Picks you”Confidence is Your Relationship with Failure NOT SUCCESSConfidence comes from Competence. Competence comes from action. Action is the answer to everything. ==============================================
Ben Branson founded Seedlip Drinks. Seedlip pioneered the Low to No movement. The Low to No Movement helped more people go sober.More sober people, led to more happier people. More happier people, more productive people.We REALLY don't understand the power of Sober (just yet) It's unfathomably enormous. In 50 years, we'll teach kids in school. Going sober is discovering coffee. Going sober is discovering electricity. Going sober is discovering penicillin. Going sober is discovering Nandos Garlic Bread & Chicken Thigh combo (dun kno, my G) Honour to sit with LEGEND and great friend, Ben BransonRecorded at our Live Podcast + Supper Club back in May at Coal Rooms, Peckham We've got 7 more Live Podcasts + Supper Clubs coming up this year.16 peeps MAX. Exclusive for our Newsletter readers only. Wanna hang out with the donny food & drink founders? Subscribe in comments below. ON THE MENU 1. Why Building a Brand is like jumping off a cliff and building the plane on the way down2. Unveiling The Seedlip Success Blue Print: Local vs. Global vs. Micro vs. Macro 3. “You want people to think you're idea is f*cking stupid” - you want strength either side 4. Where are your 1000 true fans GLOBALLY? It's easier to sell to a bar Barcelona vs. a pub in Lincoln 5. Why Seedlip Chased Credibility “… I never once said Seedlip was great, I let other people do that?” 6. The world's changed, so has the way you build brands: “social media is blurring the borders” + “everything is happening at the same time” 7. How Seedlip cracked the EXPORT ENIGMA: get them to pitch to YOU8. Julian Metcalfe, Pret a Manger Founder “Simplicity is Hard, Complexity is Easy” 9. Ben Brand “Make it SIMPLE, Don't SIMPLIFY it” 10. How Founders can think "Fast & Slow" + Rick Rubin “distraction is not procrastination”11. If you've got an idea…. If it's REALLY a good idea DON'T LET IT DOWN 12. Don't second guess yourself as you get bigger… “Never hire a great CV and a middle aged man”
"We only sold 20 burgers in our first market run." Espresso's are powered by our brand new sponsor, Unleashed!1. What on earth is Unleashed, I hear you asking?Unleashed is Inventory management software that talks to your financial and eComm software. We use it daily at Islands. It's BANGING!!2. Why Unleashed will change your life as a foodie founder?Cut admin time in half. Save money. Lots of money. Get lucid clarity on margins. Be all over cash flow, after all cash is king. Manage stock and cash flow.3. The biggest brands in FMCG love love UnleashedYour fave brands like Candy Kittens, Tiny Rebel, TRIP use religiously. Tarquins Gin, Three Spirit, Minor Figures, The Turmeric Co., Volcano Coffee4. Do yourself a favourFeel free to reach out to the utter legends Josh and Bryony at Unleashed, book in a 20 min chat with this magical link. Even if nothing comes of it, it's worth having a chat. Click this magical link ♨️Still bloody HUNGRY? Course ya are. Each week I spend 15 hours writing my newsletter. It'll take you 5 mins to read. Full of wisdom from the biggest names in food and drink. Subscribe here
It's Christmas. I've stuffed my face all week. Drunk. Don't know what day of the week it is.And am having some rest as 2025 is going to be HUGEReposting one of the most downloaded episodes of all time which was recorded 2 years ago with Waitrose.Alas. Back to the left overs Normal service resumes next week
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Why do so many food & drink brands struggle on D2C? Why do MOJU or SURREAL absolutely kill it ?Jack Rubin knows D2C better than anyone I know The D2C Donny Honour to wax lyzzy about how he's built Purdy & Figg into a HUGE WHOPPA brand Love D2C or love Behavioural Science - you'll love this ON THE MENU: 1. Charlie Munger's Lollapalooza Principle for Building HUGE D2C Brands - Business Model - spend X make Y- Allowable cost of acquisition- Contribution on first order- Future order + continuity plan2. P&F Behavioural Science Context Reframe: = “Cheapest candle vs. the most expensive cleaning product” + “Give your home a Spa Day”3. Behavioural Science Secrets behind McDonalds $ 1.2 Million Law Suit “1.2 million is one hourswork for McDonalds” 4. KFC and OGILVY Selling Fries In Australia - how to create intangible value through - Loss aversion- Social morning- Anchoring- Value pay off5. Food & Drink Brands YOU MUST “get out of the Super Market Mindset if you want REAL D2C success ” 6. P&F Relentless Focus + Three levers to grow any brand “founders make the mistake of doing all at the same time” New channelNew productsNew markets7. Founder HACK: “reading a book in the working day is the most underrated hack of all time”| Effective > Efficient. 30000 ft vs. 3 cm problems 8. Why P&F Produce 10000 adverts a week using AIDA “Attention, Interest, Desire, Action”9. Why Curiosity is the birthplace of creativity = Maximise output NOT input10. KNOW YOUR MARKET “a bad team will win a good market, a good team will lose in a bad market” 11. Alex Hormozi D2C Sales Principle; “Time to value” + “Effort to value”: £10,000 Liposuction vs. £10 Fat Loss Book. 12. Alex Hormozi Context Shape Shifting “You believe what you want to believe” 13. Founders Ask yourself: What if we just DO ONE THING WELL for another 5 years?” 14. How AG1 7x Sales using "The Effective Executive"+ Seth Godin's “Psychographic” vs “Demographic” Rule 15. Leadership Principle: Instinct vs. Intuition “instinct is more physical”. train instinct
James Watt shares why price laddering is the ultimate growth hack most brands ignore. From £1.25 basics to £10 ultra-premium brews, discover how BrewDog uses this strategy to attract everyone—from first-time buyers to hardcore fans. We break down how offering different price points boosts accessibility, creates perceived value, and drives trade-ups to more profitable products.ON THE MENU:What Price Laddering Actually Means (Hint: It's Not Just About Money)How BrewDog Converts Lager Lovers with Accessible OptionsWhy Limited Editions Give Credibility to Your Core RangeThe Psychology of Pricing: How to Make £3 Look CheapThis episode is a masterclass in using pricing to build a brand universe that works for both customers and the bottom line. Don't miss it!===========================================♨️Still bloody HUNGRY? Course ya are. Each week I spend 15 hours writing my newsletter. It'll take you 5 mins to read. Full of wisdom from the biggest names in food and drink. Subscribe here - https://hungryfeast.beehiiv.com/
Book a North Star Demo - by emailing the legend here kieran@northstarbc.co.uk Wanna land Tesco Sainsbury's CoOp or Waitrose & Partners in 2025?Well, my friend, good newslisten up. Delighted to welcome Kieran South founder of North Star on to the poddy We chat all tingz Category managementCategory Management is THE secret weapon you didn't know you needed The thread from founder vision buyer goals retail success = build mahoosive brands. Yes, North Star are a poddy sponsorNo, we're not flogging their gearThis is jam-packed with value, that'll transform your pitch decks. ON THE MENU: 1. Defining Category management for 3 years olds2. The Difference between Category Management for BUYERS vs BRANDs3. PerfectTed: What ACTUALLY is incrementality: if we took this SKU off shelf, would shoppers switch?3. 3 Golden ways to drive incrementality that NO ONE Thinks About (this is gold))4. Why Brands who think about their brand LOSE, but, brands who think about the category WIN5. How do you grow a category for dummies ?- more shoppers in stores (Tesco club card) - More shoppers in store buying more in your category = penetration- Weight of purchase 6. Never Forget: Your shopper CHANGES as you move from early adopter to household brand 7. Why Category Management is “turning on the lights” no more guessingFull ep Monday
Ever wondered what it takes to run a top-rated gastropub? Brendan from The Unruly Pig breaks down why Michelin-starred restaurants often struggle to make money, dealing with sky-high costs for fancy ingredients and skilled chefs. What's super interesting is how they've cracked the code at The Unruly Pig. While fancy Michelin spots might serve 45-60 people on a Saturday night, they're pumping out 100-120 covers. But here's the clever bit - they've actually simplified their menu over time, focusing on doing fewer dishes really well instead of trying to please everyone.It's a brilliant look at finding that sweet spot between high-end dining and running a profitable business, all while keeping the locals happy and attracting food tourists from across the country♨️Still bloody HUNGRY? Course ya are. Each week I spend 15 hours writing my newsletter. It'll take you 5 mins to read. Full of wisdom from the biggest names in food and drink. Subscribe here - https://hungryfeast.beehiiv.com/
Recently, I've had to really really DIG IN.Grind. Grind. Chew glass.Wade in. Full send. Gary delivers a Masterclass in Grit & Sales Our conversation really helped me.I know it'll help you, too. ON THE MENU: 1. Why going bankrupt is a death by a thousand paper cuts - but it's the best day of your life too2. Sell. Sell. Sell. Why too many brands skip Challenger Brand “Leg Day” - you HAVE to get good at sales3. Why “Denial” is both very good and bad in business + how to use the power correctly4. How Challenger Brands can launch SUCCESSFULLY in Ireland: “The Irish market is way more complicated”5. Be GRATEFUL: Why the UK grocery market is the best in the world vs. Australia and USA vs. France6. VITHIT's Brand Code: Look great. Be great. Taste great7. Zoom out + Embrace GENUINE optimism: “Failures are little steps on the ladder to success”8. Why the Irish punch above their weight in business: “Storytelling is in the Irish blood” - The storyteller is the most important person in the world (Steve Jobs)9. Is the David Lloyd the greatest distribution point of all time? “How do you catch your shopper on their journey?”10. “If you focus so much on a closed door, you'll never see the open door right next to you”11. Why “Insecurities” are a modern-day problem: “If you ask, What's wrong with me? You'll find something”12. How to build a brand WITHOUT VC funding and why brands with HUGE VC funding are going BUST!!!13. The Rolling Stones brand-building rule: Pick a dead category and innovate there.14. How to deal with people fcking you over: Don't leave yourself open + Get the fck on with it15. How to survive when you're in the shit: “You only need to win once” + “Just keep going, it's a never-ending fight”
Tarquin's Cornish Gin is a perfect example of how passion, creativity, and strategic spending can transform limited resources into a successful food and drink brand.Driven by obsession and love for the craft, Tarquin Leadbetter refused to outsource, instead mastering the distillation process himself. His approach combined resourcefulness—like affordable local branding and budget-friendly equipment from Portugal—with a commitment to quality and authenticity. Key Takeaways:Leveraged a tight budget creatively to establish the brand.Focused on hands-on craftsmanship rather than outsourcing.Prioritized spending on impactful areas, like branding and stock.Create a standout gin by balancing unique flavor profiles.