Gail's (styled "GAIL's") is a British bakery and coffee shop chain.
 | |
| Founded | 2005[1] |
|---|---|
| Founders | Gail Mejia Tom Molnar[2] |
Number of locations | 131 (as of August 2024)[3] |
| Website | gails |
History
editInitially, set up in the 1990s as a bakery supplying the restaurant industry with a view to putting the craft back into baking, to promote the value of sourdough bread, and to encourage people to see a well-made loaf as something of value.[2]
They opened their first bakery on Hampstead High Street in 2005 and their 100th in East Sheen in 2022.[1][4]
Locations
editIn 2021, all Gail's branches were within a 55 mile radius of its central bakery and kitchen in Hendon,[5] but it has since expanded further afield. As of August 2024, the Gail's map still shows a predominant concentration of London branches, with their next highest concentration being across southeastern counties. Their entire northern footprint is limited to Altrincham, Chester, Didsbury, Knutsford, Manchester, and Wilmslow.
Conversely, if you take Gail's original branch in Hampstead as a starting point, there are many bakeries within mere miles, including: Crouch End, Highgate, and Muswell Hill… Belsize Park, Golders Green, and Islington.[6]
Initiatives
editGail's has launched various initiatives to reduce food waste, such as selling a sourdough loaf made partially from leftover bread.[7] It partnered with Neighbourly to distribute surplus food in 2023.[8]
Controversies
editTwice-baked pastries
editIn August 2024, some customers criticised Gail's for selling their leftover "twice-baked" chocolate and almond croissants and indeed their almond croissants for £1 more than their fresh counterparts. The day-old pastries are "soaked in demerara syrup and topped with [their] homemade frangipane spread, alongside crunchy almonds." Gail's market their twice-baked pastries as part of their "Waste Not" range, with the objective being to combat food waste. Another customer stated that it is "standard" for how almond croissants are made.[9]
Prospective bakery opening
editIn August 2024, residents of Walthamstow Village petitioned to "prevent Gail’s from establishing a store on [its] high street." The "refined" village is known for its antiques shop, its tapas deli, and its independent cafés. The petition originator said the brand brought "a risk of overshadowing our much-loved local stores" and that the residents should "together safeguard the soul of our beloved neighbourhood."[3]
Political bellwether
edit"Does it have a Gail’s?" became a political bellwether for the Liberal Democrats in the lead up to the 2024 general election. The political party received their best-ever general election result by "ruthlessly targeting" Conservative constituencies. One metric was the "Does it have a Gail’s?" question.[10]
Awards
editIn 2024, Gail's won the "Best Coffee Shop/Café Group" award at the MCA Hospitality Awards.[11]
Recent Developments
editExpansion and Community Engagement
editGail's has continued to expand its presence across the UK, opening new bakeries in various towns and cities[12]. In addition to its growth, the company has been actively engaged in community initiatives. [13]Gail's has partnered with local organizations to support food waste reduction and has participated in community events to strengthen its connection with local residents.
Sustainability and Product Innovation
editGail's remains committed to its sustainability goals.[14] The company continues to focus on reducing food waste through initiatives such as selling surplus food and creating products from leftover ingredients. Gail's has also been exploring new product innovations, such as developing sustainable packaging options and experimenting with alternative ingredients.
References
edit- ^ a b "ABOUT US".
- ^ a b "PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF GAIL'S".
- ^ a b "'There's nowhere else like this': the backlash against plans for a Gail's bakery in Walthamstow".
- ^ "Gail's Bakery reaches 100 store milestone in the UK".
- ^ "THE BIG INTERVIEW: Brett Parker from Gail's Bakery on kitchen design to captivate customers". Foodservice Equipment Journal. 26 July 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
- ^ "FIND YOUR NEAREST BAKERY".
- ^ Holland, Mina (21 November 2018). "Waste bread: Gail's is making the most of yesterday's bake". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
- ^ Bamford, Vince (31 October 2023). "Gail's partners with Neighbourly to distribute surplus food". British Baker. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
- ^ "Gail's comes under fire after customers told to pay £1 extra for day-old croissants".
- ^ "'Does it have a Gail's?' How a bakery became middle-class England's most powerful political bellwether".
- ^ "2024 Winners".
- ^ "Popular bakery chain opens new Worthing branch - Take a look inside". Ground News. 2024-09-19. Retrieved 2024-09-20.
- ^ "Meet The People Making Good Food Go Further | GAIL's Bakery". GAIL's. 2023-12-27. Retrieved 2024-09-20.
- ^ "GAIL's Bakery - Case Study | Bain Capital". www.baincapital.com. Retrieved 2024-09-20.