Lolly appoints hospitality consultant

Hospitality software provider Lolly, headquartered in Braintree, in Essex, has appointed Ed Gardner as a consultant to strengthen its managed multiple retail offering.

Ed is the founding partner of Bacchants Consulting and brings more than 25 years’ experience in the hospitality and drinks sector.

He previously served as managing director of Corney & Barrow Bars before co-founding Hush Heath Inns, a pub with rooms business created in partnership with Enterprise Inns.

Working alongside Lolly’s leadership team, Ed will help expand the company’s expertise across premium bars, restaurants and pub groups, building on its established position supporting multi-site operators in the corporate catering sector.

He said: “Lolly already works with leading Corporate Caterers who are, in effect, running bars and restaurants day to day, and does it well. 

“What’s exciting about working with Lolly in this way is taking that expertise and applying it across the wider hospitality sector.

“Multi-site operators need suppliers who can give them visibility and control across every part of the P&L, particularly as pressure on overheads increases. 

“When you're operating multiple sites, stock, margins and cash control all need to be tightly managed, and that’s where the right technology partner makes a real difference.”

He added: “The line between pubs, bars and restaurants has blurred considerably over the last 20 years, food and drink are no longer separate propositions, they go hand in hand. 

“What hasn’t changed is that service and human interaction remain central to what makes a great hospitality experience. 

“Technology’s role is to support that from behind the scenes, not replace it.”

Peter Moore, chief executive at Lolly, added: “Ed’s experience across bars, restaurants and pub groups adds real depth to what we already do well with multi-site corporate catering operators. 

“Bringing him in as a consultant is about building on that strength, and we’re looking forward to what we can achieve together.”

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