Does anyone know much about Gail's bakery? the company?

[GuesstheEnd]

They're an up market bakery/coffeeshop with several stores in London and huge expansion plans. They seem very popular in up market places, although the prices are

DS works there and seems to be enjoying it. They treat staff very well. He was offered much more money than his previous, similar, job to go there when they opened a new store in our town and has since been given more money still to go and help open another store further afield, along with promises of a promotion when he returns and that they'll put him forward for a really big job (3 times his current salary) should a vacancy arise.

It all sounds wonderful, but also too good to be true and when something sounds too good to be true....

I used to work in corporate finance and overly rapid expansion plans were always a warning sign.

Does anyone know what Gail's is up to? I really hope it's all good, that they just see the benefit of treating and paying staff well, but it almost feels like a front for something!

Always long queues for Gail’s bakery here. They seem to be doing really well. I really like their sausage rolls.

Their Cinnamon Buns are AMAZING

I can't find the posts now but I've seen this exact situation on here twice before very recently. Young adults with limited/no managerial experience being specially singled out to open new stores and promised future promotions on unusually high salaries. Maybe a coincidence but seems unlikely.

No idea what they're up to but I'd wonder just how many people are being promised these mega promotions.

Ole and Sten is way better but not so many of those.

That's interesting - I also work in the finance industry and am aware of Bain Capital and its reputation.

The PE market is very strong ATM, and many investors are looking to diversify their portfolios into alternatives - it's worth noting that the alternatives branch of finance isn't affected by recession in the same as 'traditional' investments, because of the length of fund of funds life spans.

Their cinnamon buns really are amazing.

Coffee is Union coffee which is a good brand and I like it but personal taste.

It is expensive - I keep buying the lentil/goats cheese and beetroot salad but should really make it at home to save money.

They seem to be doing well and staff in our local
one appear happy so I do think they are the real deal and are maybe investing in their staff. Huge expansion plans. We’ve had one open in our town and neighbouring town in the last few months.

They're not expanding rapidly, just expanding a lot in your area. They've been around 20 years or so in London, so not a new kid on the block.

Presumably the salary increase for your son is that he's going from floor worker to management, in which case it's justified.

Agree their pastries are overpriced but their bread and lunch food is lovely.

I wouldn’t be alarmed, if you’re son is a good worker who turns up on time everyday, doesn’t ring in sick on a regular basis and works hard as well as being competent and forward thinking he is gold dust. I own a company (along with 3 other partners) and finding hard working committed people is almost impossible. If employ someone and they turn out to be good workers we immediately promote them into whichever role we feel they’ll thrive. The last thing we want to do is keep them in a role they’ll get bored with and move on, we want to utilise them.

The typo in this message made me far happier than it should really.

Really liked it until it moved into our high street and killed a local independent cafe round the corner. Specifically like the bread and cinnamon buns and some of the savouries. But the cafe is crap (noisy, no ambience, uncomfortable) and the service is not great (willing but very inexperienced; and one very young person calling all the women over 50 in the queue "luvvie" and "dear" but not the younger women or men 🤨. Got a Hard Stare from me and a pointed "thanks sweetie".)

As PP above - it's a seller's job market at the moment, especially for anyone who can actually manage to put in a reasonable day's work.

I don't like them. But their quiche is tasty.

We have one that opened on our affluent Home Counties town high street recently. They open at 7am every day of the week which is a bloody godsend with a new baby, if I desperately need coffee and a pastry after a crap night I can despatch my husband to get them early rather than waiting til 9/10am on the weekends.

We’ve always liked their San Francisco sourdough.

God this is true. It's the worst coffee I've ever tasted. And so over priced. But you literally cannot move on our local Gail's. It's permanently rammed. I think it's because it's naice.

@LadyAnglerfish 😆

Yes I very much appreciate the 7am opening. Means I can get a coffee with my early dog walk.

I know they’ve been around for ages.
I remember them when I lived in London 11 years ago.

Just recently they seem to have expanded in to the home county towns around me.

Slightly disappointed with the ambience in the cafe as another poster said. I generally get a takeaway.

Nothing to add other than my confusion at its popularity as well. There never seems to be much on the menu in terms of a sit in meal, and what they've got on display is also really random. They do these tiny sandwich rolls for over £3 but you'd need at least 3 to feel full?

The one near me in Blackheath always has a queue out the door, so I must be missing something

They are terribly expensive so I no longer go there for lunch or coffee, but they do fantastic well priced sourdough, and the staff at my local branch are friendly, helpful, and certainly always seem happy. I just wish they still took cash, being card only is annoying. I used to go there a lot before having a child and therefore no flipping money!

What are you worried about? Maybe the promotion would not happen but that wouldn't be the end of the world, right? Your DS would have learned some stuff, got something on his CV and could move on to something else.

I agree with PPs that they're not new. I remember them opening one near me when I lived in London 10 years ago. I don't think I've ever actually tried their things. They always looked nice but I was a bit put off by how they were displayed so open to everyone's coughing and breathing! Maybe that's changed post covid..

Yes, I agree, he should enjoy it while it lasts and he's getting some good experience. I just have an uneasy feeling about "something". I don't like the idea that he's being made promises they can't/won't keep, but he doesn't lose anything.

As others have said, they are private equity owned, and have been for a while. They were acquired by a consortium led by Bain Capital in September 2021 and with that seems to have come a big wave of expansion. Bain usually knows what they are doing but the private equity model tends to depend on availability of cheap credit so Gail’s may be susceptible to the effects of interest rate rises, inflation and a general downturn in consumer sentiment, combined with the fast expansion. Let’s see…

One has recently opened on my high street. It's hugely popular and the food looks amazing. I've only had a coffee though but very much enjoyed it. Someone I know picks up pastries there for free at the end of the day - he approached them about donating to a charity he has links to but they declined because of some legal reason so he just takes a few for himself if he is passing at the right time.

It might be worth him asking again because where DS works they're actively seeking charities to take the leftovers. The problem is finding one that will collect fresh food.