The Next Idea - Restaurant Consultants

About Us

About Us » Leadership Team

Robert Ancill - CEO & Managing Partner
	Robert was educated in Glasgow, United Kingdom, completing his HCIMA & MBA over the following years while working in the UK & US Restaurant Industries. His career spans over 25 years in the Restaurant, Retail & Hospitality Industries, with a solid background in restaurant concept & brand development, restaurant/cafe operations, management & finance, launching new businesses, and managing change. Robert has held Executive positions at Panera Bread, House of Fraser, Safeway, Planet Hollywood, El Gallo Giro, and the Aroma Café Group Robert has managed over 235 restaurant/café openings and the launching of 33 new concepts in the UK, Europe, UAE, China, Africa, India, & the US. Robert sits on the boards of two privately held companies (not including The Next Idea), and provides industry advice to a number of financial institutions regarding future restaurant trends and specific company diagnostics. He is regularly featured in the industry media, often being quoted on new restaurant trends, new product development and food innovation.
Robert's experience includes: The Next Idea Restaurant Consultants & Hospitality Consultants - CEO & Managing Partner Panera Bread (San Fernando Valley, CA Franchise) - Operating Partner Safeway Stores - VP Restaurant Operations (UK) House of Fraser - VP Restaurant Operations (UK) Planet Hollywood - General Manager Aroma Café Group - VP Restaurant Operations & Development (UK) Queen’s Moat House Hotels - General Manager Bentleys Of Piccadilly PLC - Restaurant General Manager
Harris Raphael - Managing Partner
	Educated in the UK and the USA, Harris qualified in Law (LLB) from the London School of Economics and gained a masters (MSc) in Comparative Politics, after which he joined Barristers chambers in London. He subsequently set up his own international consulting practice in business development and finance, having worked with a number of leading consultancy firms and marketing agencies including Saatchi and Saatchi, Leo Burnett and McKinseys. He joined The Next Idea as Managing Partner for Europe in 2004, and oversees all TNI's Europe operations. Harris’ area of market specialization includes the professional, property, medical, leisure and charity sectors. With over 25 years experience in helping business from start-ups to multi-nationals, Harris always provides significant and innovative advice to help our clients’ businesses succeed.

Raj - Joint CEO, TNI Technology
	Raj - Joint CEO, TNI Technology having begun his professional career as a web designer and developer, Raj had little idea his fascination and depth of knowledge with software and technology would lead him to start three successful software firms. Raj is highly experienced in software and web based marketing solutions for online and offline business, and has provided online services for an array of impressive clients. Raj heads TNI Technology, and overseas all online activity in addition to software development and our SaaS products.

Mercedes Chiprut - Partner & VP Training Services
	Mercedes career spans over 18 years in the Restaurant, Retail & Leisure Industries, with a focus in restaurant/cafe operations and training. Mercedes has managed over 30 restaurant/café openings in the UK & the US. Mercedes is responsible for all The Next Idea training activities, and has consulted with a range of food service operators; including Virgin Trains, Panera Bread, and Albert Roux Cafes.
The Next Idea - Partner & VP of Training Services Lucy Activewear - Regional Training Director Starbucks UK & US - Regional Training Director (UK) Bennigan’s Restaurant - General Manager & Regional Training Coordinator Planet Hollywood - Assistant General Manager & Head of Training
Douglas Clark - Chef Consultant
	Douglas Clark knows how to create a great meal, and a great menu. Doug was a professional chef in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia for fifteen years and has self-published a range of recipes. Doug has managed a variety of high end restaurant and hotel kitchens, and has held positions including: Hilton Hotel – Executive Head Chef, La Charcuterie (PA), Head Chef, Vermont Flat Bread Company – Head Chef, La’Foret (PA) – Sous Chef, Panera Bread: Bakery & Line Manager. Doug has worked with The Next Idea from the day of our inception, and has consulted with a range of our clients in concept and new menu launches, kitchen training, food management and product development.

Company Profile: The Next Idea provides international food and restaurant consulting offering advice and consulting in all aspects of restaurant operations, development and management, including, but not limited to: Hiring a Designer, start ups, Marketing, Management, Restaurant Business Plan, Business Planning, Concept Development, start up support, Menu engineering, Cost Control, Culinary Development, Design Trends, Foodservice operations, Operating manuals, Food product manuals, Franchising, Grand Openings, Interior Design, Management Training, Marketing Plans, Marketing Strategy, Menu Design, POS, Promotions, Public Relations, Training, management development cost reduction, and nutritional analysis.

The Next Idea is emerging as one of America’s leading restaurant and hospitality consulting groups, possessing exclusive and unrivalled international coverage. Our unique experience provides rare capability and expertise for any client, given our ability to combine the best elements of some of the most advanced food, leisure and hospitality concepts presently found around the globe. We retain the knowledge, experience, and ability to take account of regional considerations such as local demographics, culture and weather, therefore, our skill set is invaluable when developing uniquely differentiated concepts adopted for a specific market(s).

Our team is experienced in all food and beverageand leisure sectors; we have consulted with some of the world’s most eminent Chefs, and upscale dining groups, in addition to working with clients in the casual dining, franchised operations, and fast food sectors. In each project we have been involved in all areas of the business, and have delivered programs and plans that have targeted the elevation of concept, operating standards covering best practice in service, infrastructure, and overall quality, in addition to including specifics relating to marketing. Our larger clients have included House of Fraser (UK), Albert Roux (UK), Starbucks, (UK/US), Virgin (UK), Safeway (UK), Panera Bread (US), Hyatt Hotels (US), Fairmont Hotels (US), Ritz Carlton (US), Mandarin Oriental, SEGA Entertainment (US), HMS Host (US), amongst a very broad range of smaller yet dynamic food service and hotel groups.

We are equipped to operate across the world with network support in the following countries:

United Arab Emirates, (Dubai & Abu Dhabi), Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, West Bank Territories, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Croatia, UK, USA, France, Spain, Italy, South Africa, Angola, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Tunisia, Morocco, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Turkey, Kuwait, Indonesia, Lebanon, & Brazil.