International Motors - Birmingham
IM Group is a family-owned international group of companies operating in various different markets, including the automotive and property sectors. Founded in the Midlands in the mid 1970s, the group has grown and diversified into an international business employing around 500 people.
We were appointed to carry out an initial feasibility study of the site and the spaces that had been allocated for its new foodservice areas followed by concepts and detailed design. The brief from the client was to design a modern, flexible, sustainable catering facility with the catering offer providing light breakfasts, lunches, buffets, working lunches, and small functions in the directors’ meeting rooms. Having reviewed the proposed spaces to work with and the clients requirements, a theatre style cooking operation was proposed that would allow for live cooking where staff and visitors would have their meals made in front of them whilst also achieving all other requirements from the desired operation.
The consultancy provided the client with initial 2D concept designs and plans allowing for any input followed by detailed 3D renders which allowed the team to see our designs brought to life and provide a feel of how the finished article would look. The client was keen to ensure that the front of house counters had the same themes and styles that were in place throughout the building, which meant a close collaboration with the client and their suppliers.
Once the designs had been finalised and approved, the install commenced and we led a detailed collaboration with a number of equipment suppliers and manufacturers to ensure a smooth install process, project managing and overseeing every step. Post install, a detailed snagging session took place in order to identify any issues and client concerns and rectified these ensuring a smooth unveiling and operation on the first day of its opening at the new site.
Following the process of the design and install for the foodservice areas, counters and coffee bars, we were tasked with creating a number of concept menus for each of the catering offers which we worked closely with the client team to understand their exact vision and all requirements for the foodservice offers, including the use of local and sustainable produce wherever possible, a number of healthy/low calorie options, whilst ensuring the service was of the highest quality, boosting staff morale and enabling them to have a service to look forward to during their lunch.
Our Expertise
We then started the tender process to procure a high quality contract caterer to take over and run the service on the clients behalf and deliver the menu concepts created by the Consultancy. A number of reputable contract catering companies were identified throughout the procurement process, each with a personalised method statement prepared. These statements would provide the client with a bespoke insight into each bidders approach to this contract and how they would look to run this service.
Following return of the caterer’s submissions, a detailed review was carried by our Consultants providing key insights and recommendations to our client on each company and the aspects of their bids. As a result we identified three companies that were best suited to deliver the contract and a thorough interview and menu sampling session was carried out with the three caterers. A thorough review was then completed by the client team and the Consultancy and one final bidder was identified as a stand out company to run the food service operations on site.