All MCA Insight articles in March 2025
View all stories from this issue.
-
NewsKarali Group acquires Marugame Udon UK
Under the new partnership, Karali Group will lead the development of new Marugame Udon restaurants and have acquired and assumed operation of the existing estate, transitioning the brand from corporate-owned to a fully franchised model
-
News£3.4bn annual cost hikes take effect
70% of hospitality businesses say they are likely to reduce headcount and around 15% expect to close at least one site as a direct consequence of rising annual costs
-
NewsSix by Nico curtails investment due to Budget
The 16-strong restaurant group opened six sites in FY24 and grew turnover to £36.2m, but said increased costs will hamper investment in new openings
-
Interviews
Majestic Wine: Driving growth by uncorking data
Last year’s acquisition of wine bar chain Vagabond provides an opportunity to draw upon the power of data and take Majestic into a new phase, chief executive John Colley reveals
-
InterviewsBlack Sheep Coffee: ‘Our UK estate is flying’
The coffee shop business has experienced “tremendous traction” with its UK franchise development in recent weeks, and expects to have franchisees in place within each of its UK territories before the end of FY2025, co-founder Gabriel Shohet tells MCA.
-
NewsMarket Halls acquires Shelter Hall
The Brighton seafront venue has been acquired from Sessions in a multimillion-pound deal, with the food brand incubator to focus on expanding its brand portfolio through franchising.
-
OpinionStick, twist or fold, the cards have been dealt
As 1 April approaches, Jay Heathcote examines the different strategies companies are taking to response to increased Budget-related cost increases
-
Analysis & InsightThe biggest brands in foodservice delivery
Greggs and PizzaExpress are among the brands forecast to see the largest growth in delivery turnover this year, according to Lumina Intelligence
-
Analysis & InsightWine and ice cream becoming popular dish pairing
Venues dedicated to ice cream and wine pairings have been opening, appealing to Gen Z who are less interested in a traditional night out involving alcohol, with the trend picking up interest on social media channels
-
Analysis & InsightHospitality sales growth continues to lag inflation
Overall sales grew by 1.9% year-on-year, over the 12 weeks ended 11 March 2025, according to the latest data from Hospitality Data Insights, with delivery sales “slowing markedly” in the most recent four weeks
-
NewsFuller’s announces board changes
Helen Jones is stepping down as an independent non-executive director (NED), and chair of the remuneration committee, with Robin Rowland replacing her role on the committee and Jane Bednall joining the board as an NED
-
Weekend PressRestaurant chains 'flee broke Britain for America'
British restaurants are targeting the US as Labour prepares to hammer them with higher taxes at home, reports The Telegraph
-
Weekend PressHuge change to pub rules set to come into force in hours and punters are fuming
A major change to pub licensing laws is coming into effect in just hours, with punters left fuming, The Sun reports
-
Weekend PressLow-paid workers to bear the brunt of coming rise in UK labour costs
More than 100 Pizza Hut delivery drivers for Scotland’s biggest takeaway franchisee were called to an emergency meeting, writes the FT
-
Weekend PressThe 35-year-old from the Midlands who made £400m from chicken wings
Tom Grogan, co-founder of Wingstop UK, had no interest in hospitality but sniffed a winner in importing a restaurant franchise from across the Atlantic, The Sunday Times reports
-
Weekend PressUK ministers and officials treated to hospitality 3,500 times in five years, study finds
Ministers, senior officials and special advisers were treated to hospitality including lunches and dinners on about 3,500 occasions in five years, according to a new study, The Guardian reports
-
Analysis & InsightFunctional food and drink: the next growth driver in FTG
Food-to-go players are integrating targeted health benefits into their products to drive premiumisation and higher spend
-
NewsBrent Cross to welcome first permanent street food market
The line-up includes Sides Fried Chicken, created by YouTube collective The Sidemen, Pasta Remoli, known for its authentic Italian pasta dishes, and Asian street food brand Three Uncles
-
NewsKerb reports ‘extraordinary year’ of revenue growth
The street food collective and hospitality group achieved revenue of £32.2m in 2024 – up 37% on the previous year, with two new London locations to open in 2025
-
InterviewsSourdough Sophia eyes 20 sites
The North London bakery-cafe operator is set to open three sites this year as it balances its artisanal roots with operational growth