NEWS
Pistachio Holdings increases its stake in Creams Creams’ majority shareholder, Pistachio Holdings, and co-investor, Salonica Maroon, have acquired a further shareholding in Creams from the brand’s founders, Adam Mani and Balal Aqil. Creams, knowns for its flamboyant desserts, was founded in 2008 and employs more than 1,400 employees and works with a variety of franchise partners, empowering them to provide a high quality, distinctive customer proposition in fast-growing market. Customers can enjoy a wide range of freshly prepared desserts ranging from waffles and crêpes to puddings and sundaes. All desserts, many of which can be made vegan, feature Creams’ own premium gelato which is produced daily in East London. As part of the new move, the founders will move away from the business’s day-to-day operations to focus their experience in key strategic areas, the firm announced in a statement. Adam Mani steps down as CEO to assume the role of chief innovation officer, having been instrumental in developing Creams as an immersive and market-leading brand (he will now put all his focus on innovation
across the Creams value proposition, from guest experience to new product development). Balal Aqil will step down form the board of directors to become an advisor. Othman Shoukat joined Creams as managing director at the outset of the Covid-19 pandemic and has successfully managed the business since March 2020, effectively pivoting it towards delivery and driving business growth through like-for-like improvements and new store openings. He will continue to lead the business and will be supported by Christian Chaumette, recently appointed as COO, alongside other members of the senior leadership team. Since Pistachio Holdings and Salonica Maroon LP’s investment in December 2020, the new investors have focused on building a stronger organisational structure, enhancing ESG across the brand and promoting sustainable growth using technological tools which will be rolled out in the coming months. Since the pandemic, Creams has opened more than 10 new restaurants and secured a pipeline of a further 15 sites opening in the next six months. Its focus on quality and innovation
was recognised in 2021 with several awards including Best Innovation at the Best Business Awards 2021, Best Brand Partner at the Menu Innovation and Development Awards (Midas) and Best Family Restaurant at the Deliveroo Restaurant Awards in October. “It’s exciting times ahead for Creams. As well as further growth in the UK, we are committed to international expansion with our franchisees. We signed our first overseas partner to open 22 stores in Egypt over the next five years and are seeking partners for new territories,” said Othman Shoukat. Adam Mani said: “Creams have always been at the forefront of guest experience and product innovation and the realignment of roles, and the strengthened leadership team, means an enhanced focus on this. Othman and the senior leadership team have done exceptionally well and will drive us closer to realising our aspiration of becoming the market-leading global dessert brand.”
200 Degrees Coffee Roasters mark opening with free coffees Nottingham based coffee roaster, 200 Degrees, opened its third shop in its hometown of Nottingham on 9 May, celebrating by giving its first 200 customers a free coffee. It marks a significant milestone for the roaster, the opening its seventeenth shop just 10 years after setting up its roastery (located opposite the Notts County Football Stadium at Heston House). The growing coffee roaster says that it has cemented its place in the city with the new shop located near the Victoria Centre on Milton Street, making it ideally located for people visiting the city for shopping or commuting. The new 60-seat shop comprises a stylish fit out complete with the iconic 200 Degrees fireplace and has created 15 new jobs. 10 CAFÉ LIFE | THECAFELIFE.CO.UK
Rob Darby, CEO at 200 Degrees, said: “I am constantly blown away by the support we’ve had from the people of Nottingham. Having studied in Nottingham, going on to build a life and start a family here, the city has so many memories. “It’s a privilege to build a thriving business and work with countless incredible people in a place that means so much to me. There seems no better way to celebrate 10 years of 200 Degrees than to open a third shop in the city where it all began.” The popular coffee company is maintaining its extensive food and drink offering with appetising breakfast and lunch options with a menu featuring freshly prepared sandwiches, pastries
and cakes. Their coffee offering is centred around 200 Degrees’ signature Brazilian Love Affair espresso blend and is complimented by a range of soft drinks, fruit smoothies and rich milkshakes. Rob Darby, who was recently awarded Leader of the Year at the East Midlands Leadership Awards, added: “The last two years have been full of unexpected events but our customers continue to love the brand and are as much to thank for our success as our fantastic team.” Rob Darby and his business partner, Tom Vincent, founded the company in 2012 and have expanded the 200 Degrees footprint across the north now boasting shops in several other major cities including Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, York and Birmingham.
