In Casual Dining’s NEW Industry Leaders Q&A series, we’ll be speaking to some of the biggest names across the sector. We’ll be finding out how they are adapting to the current climate, their thoughts on the challenges and opportunities ahead and what they are doing to support their teams and local communities.
First up is Brewdog President & COO, David McDowall:
About David…
David is President & COO at BrewDog, an international craft beer business with 4 world class craft breweries around the globe. He has led the charge as BrewDog has built its UK and international bars business (adding over 80 locations in the last 5 years). David has 12 years board level experience across hospitality, leisure and FMCG, with a specialist focus in building and scaling multi-site retail and leisure concepts.
How is your business adapting to the challenges of these uncertain times?
There has been more change and challenge over the past 12 months, than at any point in our history. Just like most businesses, our strategy became very simple – survive, and protect livelihoods. The BrewDog team have been exceptional over the last 12 months, and it is thanks to them that we forge ahead with cautious optimism in 2021.
Please tell us more about how you are supporting your teams and/or local communities?
We firmly believe that business can, and should, be a force for good. Our actions over the last 12 months have had this belief at their core. From making and donating 0.5m bottles of hand sanitiser to the NHS and those who needed it most, to helping the restart of the on trade last summer with our Kickstart Collective initiative, to supplying free canned water to be used at vaccination centres, and much more, we have tried to use our resources and platform to have as positive an impact as possible. We also launched the BrewDog Open Arms, our virtual pub, where tens of thousands of people have come together to enjoy a beer, a regular pub quiz, tastings and tours, and some awesome live music!
How do you think the industry will change? – are there potential opportunities?
There are undoubtedly opportunities from a property perspective, there will be a raft of M&A activity for sure, but for me the biggest opportunity is that this past year has reminded consumers how deep a connection they have with their favourite hospitality spaces. Operators who can harness that, make that connection even more meaningful, and have a genuine focus on community, will be the big winners in the years ahead.
What do you think are the main challenges ahead?
The challenges are well documented, and we are not anywhere near out of the woods yet. Without the correct medium to long term business support, we are unfortunately facing many more business failures, and countless hospitality jobs lost.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of your job?
The BrewDog team have demonstrated an incredible amount of spirit, grit, determination, and ingenuity over the last year or so. It’s been an absolute honour to lead such a talented group of people, to achieve so much, in the face of real adversity.
And the most challenging?
Running such a growth orientated business, with such broad geography, is a challenge that I relish day in, day out. We are constantly moving (we believe in counting time in dog years here at BrewDog…!), so leading the team in a way that ensures they come on the journey with us, and communicating as openly and transparently as possible with them, is essential to ensuring we continue to move at pace.
What’s your best tip for staying sane in lockdown?
Get time regularly with all of your devices switched off or on airplane mode, and get plenty of fresh air. Lots of my work calls are done whilst out on a walk every day.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
I think it’s extremely dangerous in this environment to focus too much on advice. It’s so important for leaders to take on board as much info and feedback as possible and to get a diverse range of views and opinions. BUT, in this type of crisis, we must remember that we know our businesses better than anyone else, and have to make very difficult decisions, which stay true to the ethos and culture of those businesses. Leaders need to be prepared to make the tough call.
Why is innovation so vital to the pub & restaurant sector?
Our sector has always been packed with diverse, innovative, and vibrant operators. We never stand still, and this is at the heart of why hospitality is so central to the fabric of our society and communities. I’m constantly inspired by the creativity of new operators coming to the market, and this raises the bar for everyone, to continually challenge themselves to improve, and be as relevant as possible.
How important is the Casual Dining show to your sector? Why would you recommend a visit?
I’ve always loved participating in the Casual Dining show. It continues to be one of the best opportunities in the year, for our awesome sector to come together, connect, and share great ideas and plans!
Casual Dining returns to ExCeL London on 27-28 September 2023. Register your interest in visiting the show here.
Interested in exhibiting at Casual Dining 2021? Email [email protected].
