Baroosh
Baroosh is a small but perfectly formed chain of licensed outlets, operated by regional brewer, McMullens. Currently there are four outlets' Cambridge, Staines, Uxbridge and Hertford with a fifth venue being opened early next year in Chelmsford.
Baroosh offers smart, ambitious managers the opportunity to shape a modern, high street business from within a long-established and traditional family company. Our managers and team members are encouraged to be innovative, resourceful and ambitious. It goes without saying that they must demonstrate a passion for customer service that exceeds anything else on the High Street.
But rather than expect our managers and team members to automatically come to us fully formed we believe in growing our own talent as well as helping our senior staff develop their skills still further. To this end McMullens has developed a highly successful training programme based around three levels: Bronze Silver and Gold. Each step of the training programme gives all Baroosh staff the skills and confidence to not only grow the Baroosh brand but also achieve their own personal goals.
There are no barriers either. Our team members are drawn from a wide range of backgrounds, young and old, male or female without discrimination. What we seek is enthusiasm first and foremost and a desire to progress further.
McMullens runs an annual Awards scheme, which recognises and rewards the efforts
of the Baroosh management, chefs and staff. Aside from the obvious financial aspects of each outlet's performance, the Awards are also judged on key aspects like customer service and quality of food and drink. Staff are evaluated via a mystery drinker-style programme as well as analysis from McMullens' management. The awards culminate at the annual Managers' Conference held at Newmarket Racecourse with the winners receiving subsequent payments in their pay packets.
Baroosh chefs are regularly taken by McMullens to London restaurants or other high profile operations to gain ideas and inspiration. This insight is subsequently tested by the chefs and managers in McMullens own development kitchen at the Brewery in Hertford and the results shared throughout the estate.
McMullen's also appoints a dedicated Area manager for the chain, charged with responsibility for the financial performance of the outlets and also customer service levels. However, team management, staff motivation and rewards schemes are also a key element of the role.
This involves regular strategy sessions involving all outlets where ideas and issues are discussed. Plus, ‘trade' visits between outlets on a ‘home and away' basis with host outlets treating their guests.