All articles by Hannah Currie – Page 22
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Interviews
Moto: Diversity and inclusion is in our DNA now
In the first of a series of interviews profiling finalists in the Diversity Leadership Programme category at the MCA Hospitality Awards, the motorway services operator discusses building diversity and inclusion into the business as a shared responsibility
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News
Archie’s launches new concept at Trafford Palazzo
Archie’s Atomic will combine the brand’s signature American-style food and décor with a roller rink spanning over 5,380 sq ft, alongside a family arcade area and shake bar.
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News
New train strikes will be ‘significantly detrimental’ to sector sales
It is estimated that a fresh set of strikes by the Aslef rail union will cost hospitality almost £350m, on top of the £4 billion in lost sales the sector has already endured
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Interviews
Heart with Smart: We’re led by what the planet is telling us
The Pizza Hut and Itsu operator speaks to MCA about the importance of engaging suppliers and championing decarbonisation, as part of a series of finalists’ profiles for the MCA Hospitality Awards’ Sustainability category
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News
Pret warehouse suppliers accept 6.6% pay rise
The GMB union have reached an agreement on a pay raise for warehouse and delivery staff employed by Best Foods under its Pret A Manger contract.
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News
Openings of the week
MCA rounds up this week’s biggest openings stories, including Franco Manca, J D Wetherspoon, Shake Shack, The Breakfast Club and more
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News
The Coconut Tree launches crowdfund for London openings
The Sri Lankan restaurant group is raising £1m to take the brand to the capital, with plans to open two new sites
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Analysis & Insight
Strong Christmas for pubs and bars as drinks sales rise 7%
Consumers’ growing confidence and a curtailing of rail strikes helped to lift average sales during the festive period, with 290 million pints sold in December
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Interviews
STACK: We’ve proven the model works
After receiving recent investment from Kings Park Capital, STACK has 12 sites in the pipeline with plans to recreate its mixed-use leisure venues across the UK.
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Interviews
Blank Street: We are trying to redefine the coffee chain
MD Ignacio Llado explores the ways Blank Street is differentiating itself in the UK market and how his strategy to redefine the coffee chain experience has evolved in the brand’s first full year.
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News
Red Oak Taverns acquires four pubs from Marston’s
The independent pub company has made its second acquisition deal with Marston’s in the last twelve months, after acquiring three assets in February last year
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News
Nightcap reports record Christmas trading
The bar operator reported its largest monthly earnings in its nearly three-year history since IPO, with revenue of £7.4m for the four weeks ended 31 December 2023
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Analysis & Insight
Festive activities give sector 8.9% boost
Christmas parties fuelled spending at pubs, bars and clubs, up 7.9%, while restaurants, though still in a -8.8% decline, had their best month since August.
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Interviews
WatchHouse: ‘People who take the risks are the ones who win’
With ambitions to open 500 WatchHouse coffee shops in the next ten years, CEO Roland Horne explains how a distinctive approach to risk and legacy is emboldening the brand’s rapid expansion plans
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News
Insomnia Cookies UK appoints head of property
The late-night cookie brand has appointed Kevin Norman, who joins the company from Rekom UK, as head of property
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News
RMT calls off London Underground industrial action
UKHospitality had warned that the planned strikes, set to cause widespread disruption across London Underground services, were expected to cost the sector up to £50m
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News
Incipio closes Pergola Paddington
The outdoor food and drinks venue will close on 20 January following six and a half years of trading
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Interviews
Urban Baristas: ‘We’re doubling down on coffee’
As the brand eyes market towns for its next expansion move, CEO Huw Wardrope tells MCA he sees a gap in the market for speciality coffee franchising
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News
Mission Mars reports record-breaking festive period
The group is set to open 12 Rudys pizza restaurants over the next year after reporting record festive trading, with revenue up 38% to £10.0m, compared to 2022.
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Interviews
Benito’s: ‘Sometimes you have to break it to remake it’
As the burrito brand makes a fresh bid for expansion, CEO Mike Pearson speaks to MCA about franchise opportunities, moving into airports, and his crusade to keep the brand alive