Marcas de Restauración positions itself at a European level
Marcas de Restauración (MDR) and the European Foodservice Summit (EFSS) have just signed an international strategic collaboration agreement that will strengthen the position of the Spanish business association on the global scene in the sector. Both organisations will join forces in the promotion of high-level actions that will benefit the restaurant industry in Europe.
At a media breakfast held at Saona NH Zurbano, Javier Herrero, general secretary of Marcas de Restauración, explained the recent agreement signed on 8 January with the European Foodservice Summit (EFSS). ‘I would like to take this opportunity to say that 78 per cent of restaurant groups in our country will open more premises in 2025; 74% will expand their workforces and 90% will increase their turnover, which allows us to move towards a more connected and innovative future for Restauración de Marca’.
EFSS is the number one platform for the European foodservice industry. This annual event brings together more than 200 senior executives from major foodservice groups and suppliers from more than 20 countries. ‘This agreement with the European Foodservice Summit is a milestone for Marcas de Restauración and its members, strengthening our international presence and reinforcing our strategy of collaboration and knowledge exchange with other key players in the European sector,’ said Adriana Bonezzi, general manager of MDR, in her speech.
MDR's Saona Group, a pioneer in adapting its menus for autistic people
Marcas de Restauración, MDR (a business association that brings together more than 170 brands in the sector) has chosen, this morning, Saona NH Zurbano, to highlight the success of another of the alliances signed with Autism Friendly Club, which promotes inclusive catering in the adaptation of spaces to make them more accessible. The location chosen for this meeting with the media belongs to the Saona Group, a brand recognised for being the first in Europe to adapt its menus and services for people with autism spectrum disorder. This restaurant group currently has 67 establishments throughout Spain. The national and European press has been able to exchange views with Carmina San Julián and Guillermo Suárez, Director of People and Culture, and Head of Franchise Operations of the Saona Group, respectively. ‘It is everyone's obligation, a simple and economical way of including the whole of society. We are working to make this proposal a reality,’ according to Adriana Bonezzi, General Manager of Marcas de Restauración (MDR).
As announced by the general manager of MDR, Adriana Bonezzi, this national project, of inclusive policies for the benefit of people with this diagnosis, will be progressively incorporated so that society as a whole can enjoy the experiences offered by its associated establishments. ‘We are working to normalise this project at the national level and to establish a presence in Italy and the EU in general. It is a simple and cheap decision to implement. You just have to put your heart into it’.
Thus, the aforementioned initiative tries to respond to a social need, an opportunity to take advantage of the awareness of all groups (in the words of Carmina San Julián, director of People and Culture), in the face of the concern about the increase of potential customers with this diagnosis who are left out of restaurants. ”We are more than just a restaurant chain: We have disabled workers who work in the restaurants, we promote the training of waiting staff and the availability of QR menus with pictograms, adapted for diners with autism’.
Launch of new website
During the meeting, the new visual identity of Marcas de Restauración was also presented, including the launch of a new website. The new logo, with its straight lines and angles, conveys strength, credibility and order, while the square symbolises the union of the ecosystem that makes up the association, using carmine red and dark blue as the main colours, representing passion, dynamism and innovation, as well as honesty, trust and leadership.
A new image aligned with its purpose of raising the reputation of brand restoration, representing and defending its interests before the institutions and achieving recognition from the different stakeholders.
