Mollie's Diner appoints new Oxford GM
Hotel and diner concept Mollie's, designed by Soho House, has announced the appointment of a new general manager (GM) for its Oxford outpost.
Steff Jones will step in as GM, the brand's first property, which launched in 2019. The chain now also has a branch in Bristol, with a Manchester city centre venue planned to open next year.
Jones will apply his 14 years of industry experience to his new position, having previously worked for brands such as The Pig, Graze Bar and Jamie's Italian, all in the south west region.
Having ventured into hospitality in Bristol in 2008, Jones worked his way up the hospitality career ladder. He soon moved to Bath where he worked as F&B manager at The Pig - near Bath Hotel. He was soon promoted to deputy general manager and finally hotel director, a position he held for a year.
The GM aims to increase Mollie's share of the UK inbound and local travel market through the roadside motel and drive-in diner concept, with the Oxford branch well positioned for a stopover on route to visit the Cotswolds or central Oxford, which is only a 20-minute drive away.
The brand's bold growth trajectory aims to expand rapidly over the next 10 years, with 10 locations already earmarked as part of the immediate expansion plan.
"I am excited to join Mollie’s at such an incremental period of growth. I’ve inherited a great site and well-versed team and I look forward to aiding the expansion and development of the Mollie’s brand," says Jones.
"The brand itself is a young and forward-thinking company, laser-focused on guest satisfaction and technology-aided experiences. It’s a competitive, fun and bold concept and it’s great to be part of it."
Next in the portfolio is Mollie's Manchester, set to launch in Q2 of 2023 in the iconic former Granada TV Studios on Quay Street. It will be the brand's first city-centre property.
Mollie’s continues to grow ambitiously, with targets and projected growth of the brand becoming a £550 million-a-year revenue business, employing 6,000 people.