Andre Johnstone, UK marketing director of Japanese-inspired restaurant chain wagamama, will be taking part in the show’s first ever WE ARE Spectacular marketing podcast (hosted by Mark McCulloch). The Casual Dining Marketing Panel session also includes Pizza Pilgrim’s Thom Elliot, Bill’s Restaurants’ Lesley McIlroy, Revolution Bars Group’s Kate Eastwood, and Las Iguanas’ Lucy Harwood. They’ll be discussing the best new and innovative ways of marketing their brands to increasingly discerning consumers in 2019 and beyond.
What restaurant & pub operators do you particularly admire and why?
I think Mel and the team at Darwin and Wallace are doing an exceptional job. They have focused on a specific type of customer and have tailored their offer for them beautifully.
What do you feel is the key for operators to successfully compete against their competitors in 2019 and beyond?
People want an experience when they go out so we all need to make sure that the food and drink we serve delivers more than just the ingredients on the plate or in the glass.
What’s your bestselling dish / drink at the moment?
Chicken Katsu Curry has always been the best seller in wagamama but some of our vegan dishes are growing at a rate and will be big challengers for the future.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of your job?
We have built a young energetic team of creative and engaging people at wagamama and being around them makes my job an absolute pleasure.
And the most challenging?
Making sure we always do the right thing by the brand. We are only ever caretakers of the brand and we have to make sure we keep building on the great legacy we have been honoured with carrying on.
Who or what inspires you to be even better?
I get inspired by lots of things every day: I read a lot; listen to podcasts and talk with my team. There is so much good stuff out there.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
My boss Emma Woods said to me that you don’t get thanked for the things you don’t do. So take some chances and ask for forgiveness if you need to!
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that most people don’t know.Â
I DJ in my spare time and for years I was a resident DJ in bars and clubs all over the country.
See Andre at Casual Dining 2019
The Casual Dining Marketing Panel – A WE ARE Spectacular Podcast Live: 1.45pm in Keynote Theatre 1 on Thursday 28 February.  The session will also feature –Â
- Thom Elliot, co-founder of Pizza Pilgrims
- Lucy Harwood, brand & marketing director at Las Iguanas
- Kate Eastwood, sales & marketing director at Revolution Bars Group
- Lesley McIlroy, head of marketing at Bill’s Restaurants
- Mark McCulloch, founder & CEO of WE ARE Spectacular
