All MCA Insight articles in April 2025
View all stories from this issue.
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NewsRoadchef appoints Tim Gittins as CEO
The appointment follows the departure of former chief executive Mark Fox, who announced the move in January
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NewsPizzaExpress upgrades loyalty scheme
The PizzaExpress Club will now offer guests instant rewards for downloading the app, as well as the chance to progress through tiers more quickly
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NewsLas Iguanas launches loyalty programme
The Iguana Club allows guests to collect stamps and unlock rewards, including surprise giveaways, birthday treats, and exclusive offers
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NewsBlack Box Intelligence acquires Yumpingo
Black Box seeks to elevate its AI-driven restaurant performance solutions through the acquisition of the guest experience management and survey platform
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Analysis & InsightWarm weather helps pubs outperform restaurants
Leading managed pub groups achieve 3.6% like-for-like growth in March, while restaurants slipped 5.7%, according to the CGA RSM Hospitality Business Tracker
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NewsM&B to close debut Browns Brasserie in Brighton after 50 years
Despite the closure of the historic site, M&B is looking to re-energise the brasserie brand, with openings and conversions in Wilmslow, Exeter, Sutton Coldfield and Bushey Heath
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NewsVivek Singh calls for dynamic pricing at restaurants
The Cinnamon Kitchen founder believes discounted late-night meals could help revive the capital’s late-night economy
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NewsCosta pushes for further growth across formats
The coffee chain has renewed its focus on the high street, shopping centres, drive-thrus, and retail parks, while extending its partnership with real estate advisor Savills
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EventsFuture trends, AI, robotics and loyalty at Hostech 2025
Leading hospitality brands reveal the strategies, technologies and investment priorities shaping the future of guest experience next month
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InterviewsVelvet Taco to open at Broadgate Circle, targets 10 UK sites by 2030
The fast-casual taco brand’s first UK site is to open in July, followed by a Soho opening and two sites each year over the next five years
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NewsPrezzo teases new name ahead of strong Q1
CMO Mark McCulloch revealed the plans in a LinkedIn post, teasing: “An Italian icon is about to have a makeover…New name, same passion”
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NewsExecs vie to take chair role at Whitbread
Sky News reports Christine Hodgson, who chairs water company Severn Trent, and Andrew Martin, chair of the testing and inspection group Intertek, are the leading contenders for the Whitbread job
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InterviewsWhich Wich eyes travel hubs and multi-channel growth
The brand is preparing to open a second UK site in Fleet Street this June – a dual-floor location designed to support dine-in, delivery, and catering operations
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NewsWatchHouse drives expansion in London and New York
The modern coffee house group reported full year revenues for 2024 of £15.4m, up 62% year-on-year, which it described as an “extremely satisfying” performance
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NewsThe Ivy Collection grows sales despite headwinds
The Richard Caring-backed group made £314m from 50 sites across UK & Ireland, which means restaurants across the estate made an average of £6.25m a year
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NewsDeliveroo minded to accept DoorDash offer
The prospective takeover by a larger American rival would be worth £2.7bn, valuing the company at 180 pence per share
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OpinionUnderstanding the power of going out
Customers may be tempted by the food and drink, but it’s the experience – the value of human interaction – that’s arguably what prompts them to think ‘let’s go out’, suggests Peter Martin, MCA contributing editor
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Weekend PressOne in three hospitality workers want to start their own business in the sector
Limited access to funding and lack of training and mentorship cited as biggest barriers, The Standard reports
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Weekend PressMohsin Issa to step down as chief executive at UK petrol station chain
Private equity-backed EG Group continues to explore potential New York listing, the FT reports
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Weekend PressKate Nicholls: ‘Hospitality just can’t absorb these cost increases’
The chief executive of the UKHospitality trade body once helped to save prawn cocktail crisps but she fears what higher employment taxes could do to her sector, she tells The Times