All MCA Insight articles in March 2025 – Page 4
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InterviewsBenito’s returns to London with ambitious expansion plans
The fast casual Mexican chain is set to make a major comeback in London, with its first new site in the capital opening off Bishopsgate this Easter
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NewsOpenings of the week
MCA rounds up this week’s biggest openings stories, including Knoops, The Ned, Bubala, and more
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InterviewsSandwich Sandwich: ‘We are laser-focused on London’
The brand has unveiled ambitious expansion plans, with founder Nick Kleiner confirming it will open 20 London stores within the next four years
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NewsJDW: Labour cost hit will have ‘disproportionate impact’ on pubs
Chairman Tim Martin said increases in national insurance and labour rates will cost the company £60m a year, approximately £1,500 per pub per week.
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Analysis & Insight‘It’s not ok’: Changing the narrative on sexism in hospitality
Sexism in the sector needs to be stamped out. Not just because such behaviour is inexcusable and creates a toxic culture, but also because it denies the sector talent and the benefits of a more diverse workforce. MCA speaks to Butcombe Group, Hawksmoor, The Burnt Chef Project and people experience agency SISU about how operators can tackle the problem
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Analysis & InsightValue of food to go sector forecast to reach £24bn this year
Growth is expected to come from stronger volumes, with increased footfall expected to be a driver in travel hubs and city centres, Lumina Intelligence’s new UK Food to Go Market Report forecasts
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InterviewsCaprinos Pizza achieves double-digit growth in Q1
Co-founder Khalil Rehman acknowledges the pizza market is crowded, but points to Caprinos’ strong like-for-like sales as evidence there’s still growth to go after
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NewsDe Nadas targeting 20 shops by 2030
The grab-and-go empanada business is looking to open a further 16 shops over the next five years, predominantly in London, co-founder Annabel Martinez-Fox shares
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NewsNorges Bank takes on 25% share in Shaftesbury Capital estate
The West End landlord has sold a 25% share to the Norwegian sovereign wealth fund for £570m, in a deal including landmarks like the Covent Garden Piazza
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NewsSt Austell exploring up to 40 redundancies
The brewer and pub operator, which employs more than 2,000 people across the Southwest, is “reviewing its operational structure” due to new employment costs
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NewsBurger King UK seeks refinancing
Sky News reports the Bridgepoint-backed QSR chain is working with DC Advisory, seeking an additional £40m of borrowing capacity
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NewsCaprinos Pizza to open 20 sites this year
The pizza franchise, which has opened more than 95 locations since 2020, plans to double its estate to more than 200 locations by 2030
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NewsDiageo GB names Barry O’Sullivan as new MD
O’Sullivan, the current MD of Diageo Ireland, will replace Nuno Teles, who will move to MD of Diageo Mexico
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InterviewsCornish Bakery: ‘We can double or triple in size quite easily’
The 66-strong business sees ’huge opportunity’ for premium bakery products, and will continue to thrive in high street locations, according to MD Mat Finch
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NewsIn pictures: Lane7 launches biggest site yet in Milton Keynes
The venue has 14 boutique bowling lanes, as well as a roller rink, bumper cars, playground, golf simulators, beer pong, karaoke rooms, pool, darts, retro-gaming stations and arcade games
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InterviewsShepherd Neame: ‘Lack of certainty means we’re focusing internally’
The 290-strong pub operator is investing in its existing estate in the hope that improved trading in the capital will spread out to the regions, CEO Jonathan Neame tells MCA
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Analysis & InsightChallenging start to 2025 with growth of 0.1% in February
Bars continued a long-term drop in growth with like-for-like sales down by 7.9% in February, according to the latest CGA RSM Hospitality Business Tracker
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NewsWagamama partners with Grind on premium coffee offering
The restaurant group will be offering Grind’s signature blends at all 165 sites and has launched a range of sweet treats to tap into new occasions
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InterviewsBRGR LAB to reach eight UK stores in 2025
The immersive burger concept is gearing up for rapid expansion, with six UK openings planned this year, alongside its first international site in Qatar
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NewsIn pictures: MCA’s Food to Go Conference 2025
Big name brands, including Wingstop, Costa Coffee, German Doner Kebab, WatchHouse, Chipotle and Ole & Steen took to the stage at MCA’s recent sell-out Food to Go Conference