All MCA Insight articles in April 2025 – Page 8
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NewsWhich Wich kickstarts UK rollout
The fast-casual sandwich brand is set to open its second UK site on Fleet Street, marking the start of a renewed national expansion strategy
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NewsPopeyes to expand to travel hubs with SSP
The strategic partnership will see a pipeline of Popeyes restaurants open across UK travel hubs, starting at Birmingham Airport in summer 2025
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NewsSimmons younger customers hit by cost of living pressures
The bars group has reported resilient trading across its mostly London estate, with headwinds now showing “signs of softening” as trading picks up
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NewsDeliveroo: London restaurants can’t take more tax hikes
Chief business officer Carlo Mocci said the hospitality sector is being “taken for granted” by policymakers
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NewsBlack Sheep Coffee breaks weekly sales records
The robusta specialist fast-growing coffee shop group has reported estate net sales were £1.8m, up +9.3% on the previous week
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NewsJeremy King introduces ‘night owls’ discount to pull in late diners
The renowned restaurtaur said London had progressively become a city that eats early, and that late night dining is now a “sadly too rare occurrence”
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Analysis & InsightFrequency shoots up as consumers make most of warmer weather
Visit frequency in the eating out market increased 8.3% in the four weeks to 16 March as consumers made the most of mild spring conditions, according to Lumina Intelligence
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Analysis & InsightFootfall down with restaurants recording the biggest drop
Restaurant footfall fell by nearly 8% across January and February 2025 compared with last year, while footfall at pubs fell by 6%, according to new data from Meaningful Vision.
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NewsMcDonald’s UK & Ireland appoints new vice president of development
Mike Spencer joined the fast food giant last month, and is responsible for the leadership of the development function, including construction, estate management and acquisitions.
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NewsCaravan achieves revenue 10% growth
The all-day dining brand reported sales of £24.4m in 2024, driven by growth in covers and spend across the group, and the opening of Covent Garden
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NewsChick‘n’Sours to expand with Sessions
The cult fried chicken and cocktail brand will be available via Sessions’ deliery-only kitchens in Finchley, Fulham and Kilburn from April, ahead of a national rollout
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NewsFulham Shore receives funding boost from backer
Toridoll Holdings has provided a £20.75m subordinated loan facility to the Franco Manca operator
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NewsPortobello Starboard appoints ex-M&B CEO as NED
Adam Fowle joins as the Zetland Capital-backed pub group exits a strategic review and looks to accelerate its expansion
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NewsStarbucks UK posts £35m loss
The coffee company blamed a consumer boycott campaign, cost of living pressures and increased competition in the UK for a slump in sales
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NewsWagamama loyalty scheme integrated with Deliveroo
The delivery service has integrated a restaurant loyalty programme into its app for the first time, launching Wagamama’s Soul Club rewards scheme for UK customers
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NewsGong Cha announces record sales
The bubble tea brand achieved sales of $600m in the 52 weeks to 31 December 2024, with more than 240 new sites having opened last year. It recently signed a new franchise agreement to open an initial 225-plus UK stores.
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NewsBlack Sheep Coffee continuing fast paced Scottish expansion
The West of Scotland franchise stores are being opened by Suhail Rehman and Tariq Din, as part of an agreement to open a double-digit number of sites over the next five years.
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NewsSimon Emeny: NICs rise a ‘hammer blow’ to sector
The Fuller’s chief executive said he is frustrated by the “lack of joined-up thinking” by the government, and had been forced to review prices in the past week in response to rising business costs
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NewsCamerons can refocus on pub operations following debt reduction
The brewer and pub operator said its 45 managed house pubs traded well in 2024, contributing to a “significant improvement” in EBITDA for the year to 5 January 2025, from £3.9m to £4.6m.
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Weekend PressEllen Chew: I have 100 bottles of Japanese whisky. Some are worth £12,000
The restaurateur has been on a $20,000 Antarctic cruise, but only really felt wealthy when she could buy chocolate without looking at the price, she tells The Sunday Times