All MCA Insight articles in April 2025 – Page 4
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NewsNeat closes remaining UK burger restaurants
The plant-based burger chain, backed by F1 racing champion Lewis Hamilton and actor Leonardo DiCaprio, had already closed half of its eight strong UK estate in 2023
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NewsF1 champion Alonso buys stake in Sticks ‘n’ Sushi
The Spanish Formula 1 driver is understood to have secured a stake of more than 20% in the Danish-Japanese restaurant group, becoming one of five co-investors, alongside private equity backers McWin.
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Weekend PressCask ale brewers call for heritage status to save traditional beer
Real ale is under threat from changing tastes and pub closures but campaigners hope their petition will help preserve it, The TImes reports
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Weekend PressHospitality turns to baby boomers to ease staff shortage
Research from Employment Hero has found a near 10% increase in the baby boomer generation returning to casual hospitality roles, Caroline Bullock writes in the Financial Times
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Weekend PressPubs in England and Wales to stay open later for VE Day anniversary
Venues to remain open until 1am as PM urges UK to come together to mark 80th anniversary on 8 May, as reported in The Guardian
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Weekend PressMeatliquor founder: Tax raid has made running my business ‘a struggle’
Meatliquor founder Scott Collins says red tape and levies dampen ‘passion and potential’, The Telegraph’s senior business reporter Daniel Woolfson writes,
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Weekend PressAre Michelin stars a blessing - or a curse?
The esteemed restaurant guide has struggled to stay relevant, with some leading chefs even barring reviewers or asking for their stars to be removed, Anita Chaudhuri writes in The Guardian
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Weekend PressGreene King-backed Hickory’s to open 10 restaurants a year
The BBQ smokehouse brand, which was acquired by Greene King in 2022, has said it sees a ‘substantial opportunity’ to grow despite sector challenges, The Independent reports
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NewsSupernova, Bagatelle Group and more join Grosvenor’s F&B line-up
Grosvenor has announced a series of summer hospitality openings across Mayfair and Belgravia, including new concepts from Supernova and Bagatelle Group
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NewsDeliveroo reports accelerating order growth and strong start to 2025
Deliveroo has reported a strong Q1 2025 performance, with 7% year-on-year order growth and a 9% increase in gross transaction value
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NewsOpenings of the week
MCA rounds up this week’s biggest openings stories, including Afrikana, Pret A Manger, RedCat Hospitality, and more
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NewsGreggs reports strong progress on sustainability targets
The bakery chain has published its 2024 sustainability report, outlining progress against the targets set out in its five-year sustainability plan, which runs until the end of 2025
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NewsIn pictures: Greene King’s Farmhouse Kitchen Ossett
Located at Silkwood Park, the former Farmhouse Inns site has received a six-figure investment, transforming it into a new value-led family-friendly all-day dining concept
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InterviewsCheshire Cat Pubs eyes ‘bolt-on’ growth through rooms and events
The pub group and recent Publican Awards winner is driving operational performance through steady reinvestment, enhanced training, and careful expansion of its accommodation and events businesses
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InterviewsYard Sale Pizza: ‘We want to be bigger and better’
The Piper-backed pizza delivery brand will look to accelerate investment in digital and tech to enhance customer retention following its recent acquisition, co-founder Johnnie Tate tells MCA
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NewsCritics warn pub ‘banter’ rules could hit landlords
Critics are set to challenge new legislation requiring hospitality venues to take “all reasonable steps” to prevent staff harassment from customers, The Telegraph reports
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OpinionHow QSR and Michelin-starred restaurants can learn from one another
The stigma once attached to QSR has been replaced by admiration for their efficiency, precision and quality fit-outs, according to Brian Turner, F&B retail & leisure director at Blacksheep
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InterviewsSessions targets 10 Chick‘n’Sours’ sites and Ivan Ramen UK debut
The growth platform is targeting around ten Chick‘n’Sours’ delivery locations by the end of 2025, as part of an expanded partnership with Deliveroo, COO Jack Anderson tells MCA
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NewsPrivate equity firm True in talks to acquire stake in GDK
True’s proposed investment into the kebab chain is described as a “stellar valuation”, sources told Sky News, as GDK targets 300 UK sites by 2028
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NewsStonegate delivers £1.7bn revenue
The 4,370-strong pub company said sales were favourable compared to the prior year, demonstrating the “resilience of its high-quality pub portfolio”