When the headlines stack up, and the pressure mounts, it’s time to take decisive action. Hospitality is on the front pages for all the wrong reasons. Rising costs, increased taxes, squeezed margins, job losses: these are not abstract risks, they are the daily reality for operators.
We are not being political here, and whatever side of the fence you sit on, it’s impossible not to notice the impact of government decisions and the uncertainty hanging over the next Budget. These shifts have real, tangible consequences for our sector. It’s why we’ve launched The Leader of Managers programme 2026.
So why launch a leadership development programme now, when so many operators are already feeling the pinch?
Because the research is clear: the effectiveness of your multi-site managers can make or break business performance.
What the data is showing
- UKHospitality reports that since the Budget in October, out of 164,641 jobs lost nationally, around 89,000 have been in hospitality. That is more than half (53%) of all job losses.
- One in 25 roles in hospitality has disappeared. That is 4.1% of the sector, compared with much smaller proportional losses in other sectors.
- Rising employer National Insurance contributions, a higher minimum wage, food and energy inflation, and soaring overheads are all contributing to the squeeze.
The research case for multi-site managers
There is empirical, peer-reviewed evidence that effective multi-site managers have disproportionate impact on performance in hospitality.
1/ Preparedness gap: A study by Lentz at the University of North Texas interviewed restaurant multi-unit managers and found that 47% said they were unaware of the full scope of their responsibilities before stepping into the role, and 94% received training only after being promoted. This highlighted how often managers were under-prepared, and how much potential was unlocked when they were properly developed.
Whilst this research is now over a decade old, we have anecdotally seen a step change in recent years: there is far more appetite from organisations to prepare people before they step into multi-unit management. If the research were repeated today, we suspect the figures would show an improvement.
However, the massive opportunity we continue to see is with existing multi-unit managers. Too often they are left to their own devices to develop. In our view, their development is simply too important to be left to chance.
2/ Turnover costs: Cornell research estimates the cost of replacing a single hospitality worker at US $5,864. Multi-site managers who create cultures that reduce turnover across multiple sites can save their businesses hundreds of thousands annually.
3/ Strategic link: Chris Edger’s work on multi-unit leadership highlights that these managers are the critical bridge between business strategy and day-to-day operations, ensuring consistency of standards while adapting locally. His “Integrated MUL Model” shows that it is this blend of systems, service, and behaviour that drives performance at scale.
For me the conclusion is clear…
Multi-site managers are not just operational overseers, they are strategic leaders whose capability has measurable financial and cultural impact.
Why this is also an opportunity
When the environment is harsh, the businesses that survive and thrive are those that have:
- Detailed, data-driven plans to drive costs down and, crucially, to grow sales and revenue
- Strong accountability and follow-up, ensuring plans are executed well and results tracked
- Leaders who understand both business strategy and execution across multiple sites.
That is exactly the role of the multi-site manager. When they are well-prepared, well-trained, and well-supported, the business impact is profound.
An open programme – for businesses of all sizes
The Leader of Managers is an open programme, bringing together participants from a wide range of businesses and sectors. It does not matter whether you have one multi-site manager or thirty.
In fact, if you only have one or a handful, it can often feel impossible to justify writing and running a bespoke internal programme. That is why this open model exists. It enables you to invest in your managers, show commitment to their development, and provide them with a supportive peer community beyond your own organisation.
This matters for retention too. A manager who feels their development is being taken seriously is more likely to stay and grow with you. And with our flexible payment plans, the cost of the 12-month programme can be spread over nine months, often crossing into two financial years to ease cash flow.
“The Leader of Managers programme has been inspiring, interesting, and has helped me develop my skills as a multi-site leader. I feel more confident, knowledgeable and positive about my role and the development of myself, my business and my team. A great investment for anyone in the industry!”
Jade Ponomarenko, Operations Manager, Old Spike Roastery
Why join The Leader of Managers 2026 cohort now
There’s no better time to invest in this critical layer of leadership. Yes, it requires commitment of time, energy, and resources, but we have structured the programme to support operators in the current climate:
- Early-bird options to secure a reduced fee (a £499 saving if you register with deposit before 30 November!)
- Flexible payment plans, spread over nine months, often aligning the investment across two financial years
- Content targeted at cost control, revenue growth, execution, and leadership under pressure
- Peer learning with a community of leaders facing the same challenges, sharing what works and what does not.
Learn more – Discovery Events this October
We know many will want to explore the programme in detail before committing. That is why we are running free Discovery Masterclasses in October, where you can hear directly from participants currently on the 2025 cohort and see how it is helping them become more effective leaders:
• London – Thursday 2 October, 10am to 1pm
• Manchester – Wednesday 8 October, 2pm to 5pm
• Virtual (Zoom) – Friday 10 October, 1-hour session, 3.30pm
You can book your place through Eventbrite (places are limited).
Lean in, don’t hunker down!
If you believe your operations can perform better, that your multi-site managers can be sharper, more accountable, and more capable, now is the time to lean in rather than hunker down.
“This programme has been carefully designed to be relevant and helpful to our roles as multi-unit managers. Every unit feels like something you can use to build structure within a business and help achieve the greatness we all strive to achieve.”
Zachary Silo, Area Manager, Heidi Bakery
