All articles by Finn Scott-Delany – Page 4
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Interviewsitsu reports record sales in last 8-12 weeks
Directors Greg Thorpe and Neil Miller break down the sales resurgence at the food to go brand, regional profiles across the estate, and the next steps in its digital journey
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NewsVinoteca acquired by Breal Capital
The wine bar group was bought in a pre-pack sale after struggling with Covid, train strikes, and a poorly performing site in Birmingham
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Newsitsu stores break £100m sales milestone
Founder and CEO Julian Metcalfe said “20 mega new sites” are set to open by 2024, serving more hot food options, while the brand has signed a new deal with Costa franchisee Scoffs to open in Exeter
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Analysis & InsightTDR Capital: ‘These guys are ninjas, I wouldn’t bet against them.’
Following the private equity group’s £50m backing of Popeyes UK, MCA looks at the background of the investor behind Stonegate, EG Group and Gondola Holdings
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OpinionHospitality can learn lessons from Tour de France stars
The pressure might be different, but like the pro riders targeting the yellow jersey, operators are expected to offer uniform consistency day-after-day, MCA editor Finn Scott-Delany writes
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InterviewsDeliveroo: ‘We don’t obsess about our competitors’
Chief business officer Carlo Mocci tells MCA that the current market conditions have led to a “substantial slowdown” in the growth of dark kitchen model Deliveroo Editions, but the company still sees plenty of headroom for growth
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InterviewsTurtle Bay awaits stronger investment climate
The Carribean-inspired bar and kitchen, backed by Piper since 2013, will only consider investment options which represent the best value for the business, CEO Nick Crossley tells MCA
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InterviewsLoungers’ share price ‘obviously frustrating’
CEO Nick Collins speaks to MCA about the mystery of the group’s disappointing valuation, why seaside towns are thriving and how the group is “back at the top of our game” on food innovation
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InterviewsFB Taverns: Wet-led pubs ‘very resilient’
Speaking after FB Taverns acquired a package of 27 tenanted pubs from Cameron’s Brewery, co-founder James Maizels says there’s a good opportunity to enter the pub market “from a value perspective”
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NewsLoungers to accelerate to 34 new openings a year
The all-day cafe-bar operator has identified potential for at least 600 Lounges across the UK, as it reports record revenues of £283.5m
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InterviewsAlan Yau: People don’t want to work 40+ hours anymore
The Wagamama founder speaks to MCA about post-Covid working patterns, revisiting his 33-year-old idea of a Chinese QSR chain, and why the generic concept of the restaurateur is dead
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NewsJeremy King reveals new project
The Park will be a 21st Century-style grand cafe & brasserie, and will open in the £500m Fenton Whelan Park Modern building, overlooking Hyde Park
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NewsM&B ‘can act like a private equity co’
Mitchells & Butlers chairman Bob Ivell told MCA’s Pub Conference that the 57% ownership by Odyzean enables the managed pub and restaurant company to act with a more long-term approach than its public-listed peers
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InterviewsAlan Yau: ‘Restaurants are too capital intensive’
The Wagamama founder tells MCA about his next venture, a plant-based ramen food product created for retail that builds on the success of the casual dining concept he founded in 1992
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Analysis & InsightM&A: ‘The best businesses always sell’
Dealmaking activity in the pub sector is expected to pick up in the latter part of 2023, as inflation belatedly begins to come under control, Peter Hansen, partner at Sapient Corporate Finance predicts
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Analysis & InsightOakman: £10 pint can’t come soon enough
With inflation a recurring topic at MCA’s Pub Conference, Oakman CEO Peter Borg-Neal said the sector and the public needed to be realistic about the cost of doing business
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InterviewsSelina ‘opportunistic’ about further expansion
The hostel, F&B and co-working concept is nurturing closer connections with local communities, while tapping into lifestyle trends for remote working, travel and wellness
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NewsDavid McDowall brings ‘edginess’ to Stonegate
Chairman Ian Payne praised his CEO for bringing energy and creativity to the pub company after joining in February
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NewsOakman ‘not convinced’ about running smaller pubs
The group has paused growth of Seafood Pubs to focus on its core Oakman Inns brand, CEO Peter Borg-Neal told MCA’s Pub Conference
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NewsMrBeast ‘moving on’ from burger brand
The Youtube star, who has around 56 MrBeast Burger virtual restaurant locations in the UK, said the venture had been “terrible” for his wider brand