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All MCA Insight articles in January 2025 – Page 3
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InterviewsYoung’s: ‘January trading is up on last year’
CEO Simon Dodds speaks to MCA about the boom in festive pre-bookings, the New Year menu offer driving cover growth, and why the business is optimistic about ‘supercharging’ the City Pub estate
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NewsChick-fil-A partners with Applegreen for Northern Ireland launch
The US-headquartered QSR brand will open at Applegreen’s Lisburn South motorway service area on the M1 later this month, and Templepatrick on the M2 in March
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NewsCaptain D’s signs 20-site UK deal
The US fast-casual seafood concept will make its UK debut in London in 2025 after signing a multi-unit franchise agreement with experienced restaurant operators
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NewsPunch to ‘move forward at pace’ with investment
The Fortress-backed pub company is looking to move around 30-40 pubs to its management partnership model in 2025, while looking at further acquisitions, CEO Andy Spencer tells MCA.
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NewsRevised Loungers bid ‘substantially undervalues’ the company
Gresham House, which has a 3.9% stake in the cafe-bar group, is “still not inclined” to support the latest offer from Fortress, MD Ken Wotton tells MCA, while Downing’s Judith MacKenzie calls for a fair valuation that reflects the company’s future growth prospects
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NewsPizza Hut Restaurants acquired in pre-pack
The future of the pizza brand’s dine-in business has been secured after it was acquired by investment firm Directional Capital, with all but one of the franchise’s 142 sites expected to remain open
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Analysis & InsightPub M&A activity forecast to increase in 2025
Caution resulting from the Budget is expected to be offset by an increase in the supply of pubs coming to the market, property agent Christie & Co predicts
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NewsTortilla appoints ops director
Emily Bagshaw has been promoted to director of central operations, and will join the executive team at the fast-casual burrito brand
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Analysis & InsightThe rising cost of dining out
Menu prices across the eating out sector have continued to rise, with same-line dish price inflation outpacing both CPI and food inflation, accoring to Lumina Intelligence’s Menu Tracker
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NewsYoung’s trades ‘exceptionally well’ over Christmas
The premium pub operator reported managed like-for-like sales up 11.6% over for the five-week festive period
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NewsPunch Pubs: ‘The last year has been incredible in terms of sustainability engagement’
Jon Dale and Jessica Nicklin share how Punch is driving sustainability initiatives across its network of over 1,300 pubs, in the latest finalist profile for the Sustainability category at the MCA Hospitality Awards
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NewsWhitbread F&B sales down 14% in Q3
The group said UK F&B sales were “in line with expectations” and reflected the impact of cost-cutting plans to close more than 200 restaurants
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NewsCarlsberg’s £3.3bn Britvic takeover approved by High Court
The Danish brewery plans to create a single integrated drinks business called Carlsberg Britvic following the takeover
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NewsGuinness rivals enjoy sales boost
Heineken’s Murphy’s Irish Stout and Anspach & Hobday’s London Black have seen a surge in demand following supply issues with Guiness over Christmas
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NewsBoard changes at Heavitree Brewery
Graham Crocker steps down as MD and FD, with Terry Wheatley to become MD and Nicola McLean to become FD
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NewsLatest Loungers offer ‘not good enough’
Outspoken investor Judith MacKenzie, head of Downing Fund Managers, described the revised Fortress bid valuing Loungers at £354m as “paltry”
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NewsInflation rate dip not enough to calm hospitality’s fears
The unexpected dip in inflation, to 2.5% in December, is positive, but “there has not been enough movement” to quell concerns about the economy, UKHospitality has warned.
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NewsM&B reports strong festive like-for-likes
The pub and restaurant group saw like-for-likes up 10.4% over the core three-week Christmas trading period – a figure it said “built on numerous record sales performances through the estate”
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NewsFuller’s ‘maintains market outperformance’
The pub and hotel business reported “excellent trading” over the five-week Christmas and New Year period, delivering like-for-like growth of 10.2%, with +5.9% growth achieved in the year to date
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NewsFortress tables increased and final offer for Loungers
Fortress Investment Group (UK) has increased its cash offer for Loungers, from 310p to 325p per share, which has been deemed “fair and reasonable” and in the best interests of the business and its shareholders.