The Olive Tree Group’s Managing Director, Leslie Gomez shares on staying ahead in the F&B ecosystem and how he keeps both modernity and tradition alive in his establishments. 20 years, 20 outlets and over 30 accolades, The Olive Tree Group is no stranger to F&B enthusiasts nationwide. With a start that originated all the way back in India, the group now has presences city-wide in the form of bars, clubs and fine-dining restaurants that have attracted attention from food enthusiasts all the way to the Prime Minister.

Rethinking Business Operations

With more than a decade in the industry, Leslie has been through it all. However, not all crises are the same and the recent Covid-19 pandemic has gotten him rethinking the way the business should be run and what a business model could look like in the new normal. If there was one thing he learnt during the pandemic, was to never take things for granted ever again. It destroyed many aspects of the business, and long-term planning was no longer on the table.

Diversifying The Right Way

With notable names like Rockafellers, Rock Bottom, Luca and Frangipaani, The Olive Tree Group was already well on their way with the right diversification model. “We specialise in different dining concepts and that has worked well for us. I am well aware of new concepts that have popped up even prior to the pandemic and the ones that have mushroomed during it, but I am sticking to the route that I am on now.” “I want to create a place that makes people comfortable and to earn their trust. My business has only grown to where it is now because my clients trust me and their returning footfall is a testament to that,” he highlights.

Moving forward, the group is looking to enter the franchising business and to do so, Leslie and his team are set on centralising their operations. Plans to do so were set to take place last year but with Covid-19 derailing all plans to do so, the Group had no choice but to push their plans.

Good Foundation, Good Future

With a good foundation, Leslie believes business operations often strengthen in time and will accommodate changes fairly quickly.