All Harvester articles

  • GettyImages-1169593492
    News

    Operators self-fund Eat Out extension

    2020-08-27T07:15:00Z

    Several operators are extending the Eat Out to Help Out discount into September, funding the cost themselves.

  • obesity fat bench unhealthy
    News

    Big fat stats put the obesity debate back on the menu

    2020-07-29T06:35:00Z

    There are times everyone needs a juicy bacon cheeseburger, a big portion of chips, a three piece KFC, a pepperoni pizza, lots of chocolate, a few scoops of ice cream or some crisps. Not altogether obviously, that would be far too delicious. But individually, and as an occasional treat, where’s the harm? The trouble is the UK has long suffered from a lack of restraint. Couple that with our love of takeaways and a national diet rooted in stodgy classics and we have reached a point where the government estimates that 63% of adults in England are overweight or obese. It says one in three kids leaves primary school overweight or obese. Obesity related illness costs the NHS over £6bn every year. Those are big fat stats.

  • Toby Carvery
    Interviews

    M&B CEO Phil Urban: ‘People want to go out and be social again’

    2020-07-03T07:18:00Z

    As social media storms go, it was up there with the silliest.

  • GettyImages-eating out
    Analysis & Insight

    One in three will eat out less post-lockdown

    2020-04-01T14:05:00Z

    Almost a third of consumers have said they will eat out less frequently than they did pre-coronavirus when the lockdown period ends, new research by CGA has revealed.

  • GettyImages-1167590348
    News

    Steve Gotham: Straddling the great wet vs dry divide

    2020-03-12T08:45:00Z

    While there might be some disagreement over the extent the UK eating out market is over-supplied, there will be strong agreement that it is intensely competitive. It remains highly fragmented and contains an abundance of operators clamouring for consumers’ attention and spend. As such, skilful market positioning is essential.

  • MARSTONS_Day_2_Jan_2019-1662_300dpi_CMYK
    Analysis & Insight

    J.P. Morgan Cazenove on Marston’s and M&B

    2020-01-13T08:28:00Z

    After strong outperformance in 2019, we are moving MARS and MAB to Neutral, from Overweight, as the current share prices have now “caught up” to reflect the fundamentals, in our estimation. MAB’s operational performance inflected during 2019, and MARS largely resolved fears around its leverage and dividend sustainability. In addition, ...

  • Hicks WR Outside -1
    News

    Hickory’s prepared to ‘look outside the box’ in site search

    2019-11-25T08:25:00Z

    Hickory’s Smokehouse is prepared to stretch its traditional site and location preferences in order to achieve the growth rate it is aiming for, managing director John Welsh has told MCA.

  • Mitchells and Butler Logo
    News

    Strong drink sales drive M&B’s 3.3% lfls growth

    2019-09-26T06:53:00Z

    Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) has continued to outperform the market in the eight weeks to 21 September, with like-for-like sales growing by 3.3%.

  • Harvester
    Analysis & Insight

    M&B – Much ado about branding

    2019-09-04T07:37:00Z

    MCA market insight director Steve Gotham analyses data from MCA’s Eating Out Panel to pinpoint potential areas for improvement for some of Mitchells & Butlers’ key brands.

  • GettyImages-steak dinner
    Analysis & Insight

    Pub brands lose share at dinner time

    2019-08-22T07:34:00Z

    Pub brands’ share of visits at dinner time – its most important occasion – in the second quarter of 2019 (April – June), reflecting toughening competition from restaurants and growing customer expectations.

  • Hickory's smokehouse Platter Landscape-1
    News

    Hickory’s secures Shrewsbury site

    2019-08-06T07:21:00Z

    American barbecue and smokehouse restaurant Hickory’s has secured its 12th site – former bar & grill The Waterfront in Shrewsbury.

  • BP Chargemaster MAB (1) LR
    News

    M&B to add up to 200 electric car charging points

    2019-07-15T07:14:00Z

    Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) is to deliver up to 200 rapid car charging points at its pubs and restaurants, through its new partnership with BP Chargemaster.

  • Hicks Beef Rib -1
    News

    Hickory’s secures Harvester site in Wilmslow

    2019-06-11T07:40:00Z

    Hickory’s has secured a further site in Cheshire – the Harvester restaurant on Altrincham Road in Wilmslow.

  • Miller & Carter
    News

    Urban: ‘New concept could be second string to our premium bow’

    2019-05-23T13:22:00Z

    Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) is to trial a new concept in Harpenden next month, which it believes could add a second string to its bow of premium offerings, MCA has learnt.

  • Miller & Carter
    News

    Urban: ‘We do the same things with 110 sites as we did with 30’

    2019-05-13T07:26:00Z

    As part of the launch of the CGA Stone & River Brand Momentum report, Mitchells & Butlers’ chief executive Phil Urban talks about how the multi-branded operator has remained at the top spot despite the volatility of the market.

  • Hungry Horse
    Analysis & Insight

    Spotlight on the value led branded pub market

    2019-01-14T08:06:00Z

    Brand expert Ian Dunstall casts his eye over a segment over the market that is often overlooked in analysis despite being a financial power house – the value pub market. He rates the leading brands and looks at how many have reinvented themselves to better align with the modern consumer.

  • By Chloe
    News

    By Chloe set to open third UK site

    2019-01-03T08:45:00Z

    By Chloe, the plant-based fast casual concept, is set to launch its third UK venue, with an opening lined up in the Icon Outlet at O2 complex.

  • Beef burgers
    Analysis & Insight

    Study claims restaurant and pub dishes unhealthier than fast food

    2018-12-13T08:34:00Z

    A study by the British Medical Journal has suggested food served in pub and restaurant chains is unhealthier than that of fast-food chains.

  • Harvester
    News

    M&B: JVs, virtual brands and surge pricing

    2018-11-23T08:19:00Z

    Following yesterday’s full-year results announcement, MCA talks to Mitchells & Butlers chief executive Phil Urban. He discusses performance across its suite of brands, and why he sees joint ventures as the smartest form of M&A. He also says developing a virtual brand is on the company’s road map, talks about the rollout of order at table technology and the company’s work on flexing price during busy periods.

  • All bar one
    Analysis & Insight

    All Bar One increases share of pub visits but JDW remains top

    2018-11-15T08:34:00Z

    JD Wetherspoon continues to be the dominant pub brand in terms of share of visits but Farmhouse Inns tops the rankings for average customer scores, data from MCA has shown.