03: Meriel Armitage, Founder of Club Mexicana - Pop-ups to permanence, trader realities and building your brand

Welcome to Beyond the Counter - the UK's first podcast and content series dedicated to the Food Halls & Markets. Sign up for free to our monthly articles and annual Food Hall data report: https://forms.contacta.io/68e54cbaf8643266cccaf0aa.htmlIn this episode we chat with Meriel Armitage, the founder of the cult vegan Mexican brand, Club Mexicana.Meriel takes us through her incredible 10-year journey, offering a unique Trader’s perspective on what makes a food hall and its traders inside truly work.In this episode, we cover:The Evolution: From humble supper clubs in Hackney to festival fields and major food halls and the realities of that journeyBrand Identity: How to maintain a strong and fun brand vibe when you don't own the whole building.Bricks & Mortar: Why having your own spot might not be everyone's end goal.The Drinks & Delivery Debate: should food traders should be able to serve drinks? Is doing delivery a good idea?Give it a listen and a review and if you like it let us know what you think!------Who are me&u and why do you care about Food Halls & markets?We're me&u - the leading provider of mobile ordering in hospitality venues, including Food Halls and Markets, across the UK, US and Australia. We believe the future of food is being shaped right now, in food halls and markets worldwide. But in this rapidly evolving industry, operators are often building the playbook as they go. That's why we're creating a space where the industry can share experiences and collectively accelerate it’s growth. By bringing together the brightest minds in the space, we're turning individual insights into shared success by going Beyond the Counter.