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What’s Cooking EP #03

Inside Blacklock's People-First Growth Strategy

In this episode of What’s Cooking? Conor Sheridan, CEO and founder of Nory, sits down with Maria McCaan, Operations Director at Blacklock, to uncover how the brand has grown without compromising its people-first ethos.
By Conor Sherdian with Maria McCaan
August 7, 2025 - 41 mins
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Discover the tactical insights that have helped Blacklock scale smartly and sustainably
What You'll Learn in This Episode
  • How Blacklock retains and exports its culture as it expands outside London
  • Why succession planning across venues fosters internal growth
  • The impact of bespoke training like Radical Candour on kitchen culture
  • How Blacklock uses local engagement to ensure new venue success
  • Why investing in people lowers turnover and improves profitability

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Meet our guest

Maria McCaan is Operations Director at Blacklock and a hospitality veteran with over 17 years of experience. From Shake Shack to Blacklock, she has built a reputation for creating people-first cultures that fuel operational excellence and sustainable growth.

Connect with Maria

About the host

Conor Sheridan is the founder and CEO of Nory, an AI-powered restaurant management system alongside being the co-founder of Mad Egg. Conor blends hands-on restaurant experience with a passion for tech-driven efficiency and profitability in hospitality.

Connect with Conor Sheridan
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