Speaker Q&A: Barny Clevely, FCB Coffee
Barny Clevely, MD of FCB Coffee, will be appearing in an exclusive interview at lunch! 2019. Arrive early to grab a front row seat, as he talks to Anya Marco about the rise of FCB and their unique place in the food-to-go and coffee shop sector (1.30pm, Friday 20 September).
Which café / coffee shop / food-to-go operators do you particularly admire and why?
Pret (for the reasons below).
What do you think is the key for operators to successfully compete against their competitors?
Clarity / Simplicity / Quality.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of your job?
Our people.
And the most challenging?
Margins and growth. Like-for-like sales and new openings.
What does the next 12 months have in store for your business?
Two more sites opening. Both with Network Rail.
Can you give us an example of what your business is doing to be even more sustainable?
Compostable packaging throughout our hot drinks range, encouraging Bring your own cup, electric van delivery within M25, and general reduction in packaging.
What’s your current bestselling product?
Flat White / Filter.
Why is innovation so vital to the food-to-go sector?
If you don’t innovate you are going backwards.
What innovative products are you hoping to find at lunch! show this year?
Our Head of Food will be on the prowl for anything that ‘fits’ — that means, taste, packaging, logistics etc…
How important is lunch! to the food-to-go sector?
It’s a yearly pilgrimage.
Can you tell us a bit about your much-anticipated session at lunch! 2019? – What do you want visitors to take away?
Where FCB fits in the speciality coffee market.
Who or what inspires you to be even better?
Consistent managed growth.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
Grow too fast…All you’re doing is multiplying your problems.
What advice would you give to someone starting out in the industry?
Keep it simple and be the best at it.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that most people don’t know:
I was Inspector Will Davies in Hollyoaks on Channel 4 for five years. I don’t recall solving a single crime!!
See Barny at lunch! 2019
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW — Barny Clevely, Managing Director, FCB (hosted by Anya Marco): 1.30pm on Friday 20 September in the Coffee Shop Keynotes Theatre
