Boparan makes changes to executive team: Boparan Restaurants has made changes to its executive team that will come into force in the coming weeks as it prepares for its next stage of growth. Nick Smith takes up the newly created role of commercial director and joins from The Restaurant Group, where he was director of purchasing for more than a decade. Simon D’Cruz assumes the role of finance director following Will Franklin’s decision to step down. With a career spanning three decades D’Cruz joins from Domino’s Pizza Group, where he was co-finance director and, prior to that, held senior finance posts with British Telecom, Delta Airlines and PwC. Sam Wignell, currently brand director for Ed’s Easy Diner, will have his role expanded to include Giraffe World Kitchen when Matt Snell leaves to pursue a new opportunity. Boparan Restaurants chief executive Tom Crowley said: “Now we are moving into the next growth phase for Boparan Restaurants we are delighted to welcome Simon and Nick to the group and congratulate Sam on his expanded role. They each enjoy first-class track records of success in their respective areas of expertise and this will be invaluable as we pursue our ambitious growth plans for the business as a whole.”

Sainsbury’s trials in-store coffee bar: Sainsbury’s has entered the coffee-to-go market by trialling a coffee bar at the front of six of its supermarkets. The bars, called 1869 Coffee in reference to the year the company opened its first shop, offers Sainsbury’s own-brand coffee and tea, as well as pastries and cakes, to take away. Hot paninis are also available at some of the sites. Run by a Sainsbury’s member of staff who has undergone specialist barista training, the coffee bars also offer seasonal specials throughout the year. The concept has launched at stores in West Green, Crawley; Cambridge Eddington; Slough; Watford; Alton and Plymouth. Sainsbury’s director of fresh foods Adrian Cook said: “By giving our customers the chance to grab-and-go a range of hot drinks and snacks at the front of the store, we are differentiating our in-store offer and delivering a great-value takeaway experience. It’s an exciting opportunity for us to listen and understand how our customers respond to a new trial like this.”