Get to know Blue Coral Concepts’ new Managing Director
The group owns Five Guys, Ribs & Burgers, and Italian Street Kitchen brands.
Blue Coral Concepts has appointed Gareth Howard as its new Managing Director, as the group prepares for its next phase of growth and expansion from next year.
QSR Media caught up with Gareth Howard to discuss his appointment, leadership approach, and the group’s plans across its portfolio of brands.
QSR Media: How do you feel about the appointment? What are your key priorities?
Gareth Howard: I feel incredibly proud and honoured to lead a business with three established brands that collectively serve more than 50,000 guests every week across 25 restaurants. It’s a privilege to step into the role at such an important point in the company’s journey.
This year has been very deliberate about stabilisation and consolidation following the split from Seagrass and the sale of the business. Throughout that process, we’ve never deviated from the core pillars that have always made us successful, looking after our people and our suppliers and being obsessive about the quality of our product. If we get those things right, our guests feel it every time they walk through the door.
With that foundation firmly in place, we’re now well-positioned to scale and grow sustainably over the coming years.
How has your experience prepared you for this role, and what leadership approach do you plan to bring to the company?
My background spans both Group Executive Chef roles in international branded restaurants and Head of Operations, which means I understand the business from the ground up, from food and service through to systems, people and performance. That breadth allows me to add value across every part of the organisation.
My leadership style is one of inclusive collaboration. We have a fantastic, young, energetic leadership team, each of whom is an expert in their field. Collectively, we’re far stronger than any individual, and that’s where our real power sits.
At Blue Coral, as it was at Seagrass, we operate with a strong sense of family. We often refer to the African philosophy of Ubuntu, which translates to “I am because we are.” That value binds us together, from our restaurants all the way through to the executive team.
What trends or shifts in the market are you most excited about, and how will the company respond to them?
The industry has been under enormous pressure, the cost-of-living crisis, supply-chain increases and rising labour costs have forced restaurants to continue taking price. Fast food isn’t particularly cheap anymore, and middle-market neighbourhood restaurants have become something people might only visit once or twice a year.
That’s created a real gap in the market, and it’s one we’re actively working to fill, superior quality matched with unbeatable value. Over the next few years, value will win, and value doesn’t just mean price; it means portion size, consistency, and quality relative to what the guest is paying.
We firmly believe we offer an incredible quality of product and portion size for the prices we charge, and that positions us strongly for what’s ahead.
Can you share some near-term to long-term plans for each of your brands? Anything specific you’re working on?
We’ve recently launched new menus and limited-time offers across both Ribs & Burgers and Italian Street Kitchen, with quality and value at the heart of every decision.
This year’s tiramisu program at ISK has been hugely successful, while the rotating Wagyu burger range at Ribs & Burgers has been the most successful campaign the brand has ever run. Where else can you find Wagyu from Mayura Station, Australia’s most premium Wagyu producer — in a neighbourhood burger joint?
Looking ahead, our focus is on sustainable growth across all brands. We’re targeting around four to six new stores per year across the group. First cab off the rank is Italian Street Kitchen in Adelaide CBD in April, followed by a Five Guys opening in Victoria, before expanding that brand further into Queensland.
What opportunities do you see in 2026, and how do you think these will affect your strategies moving forward?
As mentioned earlier, the opportunity lies in taking meaningful market share by continuing to represent true value — delivering the best possible product at a price the customer is comfortable paying.
Our ambition is to own the premium fast-food and elevated fast-casual space, and we believe that by staying relentlessly focused on quality, value and consistency, we’re perfectly positioned to do just that over the coming years.
