Gail's
 | |
| Founded | 2005[1] |
|---|---|
| Founders | Gail Mejia Tom Molnar[2] |
| Headquarters | London, England, UK |
Number of locations | 170 (as of March 2025)[3] |
| Website | gails |
Gail's (styled "GAIL's") is an American-owned bakery and coffee shop chain headquartered in London, England.
History
[edit]The bakery opened its first shop on Hampstead High Street in 2005 and its 100th in East Sheen in 2022.[1][4][better source needed]
In 2021, all Gail's branches were within a 55-mile (90-kilometre) radius of its central bakery and kitchen in Hendon.[5] It subsequently expanded to Altrincham, Chester, Didsbury, Knutsford, Manchester, and Wilmslow.
In 2021, Bain Capital, an American private investment firm based in Boston, Massachusetts, acquired a majority stake in Gail's bakery through a £200 million investment. [6]
In March 2025, it was reported that there were 170 outlets, with a further 40 planned to open that year.[3]
Initiatives
[edit]Gail'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
[edit]Twice-baked pastries
[edit]In 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
[edit]In August 2024, residents of Walthamstow Village petitioned to "prevent Gail’s from establishing a store on [its] high street." The 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."[10]
In politics
[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.[11]
Awards
[edit]In 2024, Gail's won the Best Coffee Shop/Café Group award at the MCA Hospitality Awards.[12]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "ABOUT US". Gail's Bread. Retrieved 2024-12-31.
- ^ "PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF GAIL'S". Gail's Bread. Retrieved 2024-12-31.
- ^ a b Hooker, Lucy (9 March 2024). "'We don't need a Gail's' - the coffee shop boom dividing locals". Retrieved 9 March 2024.
- ^ "Gail's Bakery reaches 100 store milestone in the UK". World Coffee Portal. 28 October 2022.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Mattinson2021-09-15T11:07:00+01:00, Alec. "Gail's Bakery owner Bread Holdings sold to Bain Capital". The Grocer. Retrieved 2025-03-09.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ 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.
- ^ Guinness, Emma (16 August 2024). "Gail's comes under fire after customers told to pay £1 extra for day-old croissants". The Independent.
- ^ Addley, Esther (16 Aug 2024). "'There's nowhere else like this': the backlash against plans for a Gail's bakery in Walthamstow". The Guardian.
- ^ Stewart, Heather (22 August 2024). "'Does it have a Gail's?' How a bakery became middle-class England's most powerful political bellwether". The Guardian.
- ^ "MCA Hospitality Awards 2025 - 2024 Winners". MCA Hospitality Awards. William Reed Ltd. Retrieved 2024-12-31.