CSR and Sustainability

🌊 Lussmanns seafood restaurant opens in Highgate, London, after 20 years and a 3-year expansion pause. Founded by Andrei Lussmann in 2002, the Hertfordshire-based group, backed by Luke Johnson, previously had 3 locations and closed Oxford and Tring sites. Highgate’s menu offers sustainable, locally-sourced dishes with a set menu priced at £20.95 for two courses, and £23.95 for three. The new 130-cover venue features a café, dining area, bar, and a 30-cover walled garden. Another opening is expected next month at the former Loch Fyne site in Woburn near Milton Keynes.

🏎 Neat, supported by Lewis Hamilton and Leonardo DiCaprio, closed its London Victoria restaurant last week, reducing its London presence to three locales in Soho, Camden, and Wembley. This follows the group's downsizing last year due to financial pressures and the closure of New York and Dubai outposts. Co-founder Zack Bishti departed the business, which was launched in September 2019 and planned for 1,000 global sites by 2030. Despite a $18m fundraise in 2023, Neat made a £7.9m loss in 2022 after a £3.2m loss previously. Neat rebranded in February 2023, dropping 'Burger' from its name and expanding its menu beyond fast food. The brand maintains one international site in Milan.

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🚧 Jennifer Krapp, head of restaurant operations at The Indigo Road Hospitality Group, shares her journey and tips for avoiding burnout in an episode aired on Sept. 8, 2024. She talks about her love for hospitality beginning at a young age, a career inflection point (04:28), leading her team through a major setback (06:27), and her experience opening 14 restaurants in 3.5 years (09:26). Jennifer discusses her personal experience with burnout and recovery (10:09), including daily practices like morning exercise and work-life boundaries (11:49), emphasizing self-care's importance (14:57).

🍕 The "Becoming a B Corp" event at Pizza Pilgrims Canary Wharf on October 1 will feature interactive workshops with B Corp analysts and brands like Pizza Pilgrims, Big Mama, Hawksmoor, Blacklock, and Caravan. Aimed at aiding and inspiring hospitality businesses on their B Corp certification journey, the event includes 15-minute presentations, a ticket-inclusive lunch, and breakout sessions with B Corp assessors. Other hospitality firms with B Corp status include Grind and Fallow. Tickets available online.

🏡 Dina Belon, president of Staypineapple Hotels, highlighted sustainability's role in the hospitality industry on Sept. 1, 2024. Industry associations aim for a unified sustainability certification (01:47). Creativity and mental energy are as crucial as cost in sustainability (02:49). Business and group travel preferences drive sustainable practices (03:19). Data-driven sustainability reporting is emphasized (04:42), with third-party verification such as Green Key Global being important for marketing (06:18).

🛡 The hospitality industry generates 150 million tons of single-use plastic annually. Hotels implementing sustainable practices can attract guests, improve brand reputation, and save on costs by reducing single-use amenities and using refillable containers. Additional measures include setting up water refill stations for reusable bottles, using biodegradable trash bags, and making recycling easy for guests and staff. These eco-friendly practices contribute to environmental protection and can enhance a hotel's appeal to environmentally conscious travelers.

🎂 Williams Refrigeration in King’s Lynn, Norfolk, celebrated 210 years of combined service with a lunch and awards on August 22. Ten employees, each with at least 20 years at the company, were honored. Purchasing manager Robert Smith, with 30 years at Williams, attributes staff retention to a supportive and dynamic work environment. Production operative Ian Wiggins notes significant technological advances and environmental improvements in their products. The company, a leading manufacturer in several industries, operates globally with manufacturing sites in China and Australia and sales facilities worldwide.

📖 With an 83% of global travelers deeming sustainable travel essential and 61% wanting to travel more sustainably post-pandemic, hotels are leveraging regenerative tourism to attract these conscious consumers. Regenerative tourism—going beyond sustainability—aims to actively enhance local communities and ecosystems. Hotels market these efforts through storytelling, highlighting projects like coral reef restoration or local artisan collaborations. Digital platforms, authenticity, and educating guests are key strategies. Challenges include costs and quantifying impact, but with effective communication, hotels can tap into a market that prioritizes environmental and ethical considerations.

📝 Hospitality industry faces 70-80% annual employee turnover, with low wages, long hours, and limited growth opportunities as key reasons. Hospitality America is combating this with mentorship programs led by Justin Deyo, Corporate Director of Operations, who has 20 years of experience. Mentoring includes imparting guest interaction protocols and operation best practices, aiming to foster a sense of value among employees. Notable statistics: 90% of workers with mentors are happy in their jobs, mentored employees are five times more likely to be promoted, 84% of Fortune 500 companies offer mentorship programs, yet only 37% of workers have a mentor. Since the pandemic, mentoring initiatives increased by 30% in organizations. Hospitality America's program emphasizes a culture of PEACH—Passionate, Excellence, Adaptable, Community, Humble—to guide success.