All MCA Insight articles in May 2024 – Page 4
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Interviews
Comptoir Group: ‘The business is in a good place’
The business continues to focus on developing its Libanais and Shawa brands, now with the senior leadership team in place and all brands in growth, CEO Nick Ayerst tells MCA
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News
Mitchells & Butlers acquires Pesto Restaurants
The managed pub and restaurant operator has completed the acquisition of the Italian-inspired 10-strong tapas concept for no more than £15m, as the group reported “strong profit recovery” in the first half of the year
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News
Adnams losses widen to £4m amid cost increases
The brewer and pub oprerator is continuing to explore options to fund its future growth plans, which include raising additional capital from another party, and/or the sale of freehold assets to return capital to the company
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News
Nightcap looks to raise £3.5m
The late night group is issuing new shares as it looks to capitalise on stress in the market and consolidation opportunities in the bar sector
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News
Subway rolls out digital advancements across UK estate
The rollout follows a pilot in which restaurants saw an increase in sales, with an integrated digital experience including kiosks, digital menu boards, a new app and relaunched loyalty programme
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Event News
MCA’s Pub Conference partners with Ask for Angela
The conference returns on 26 June with a new charity partner, Ask for Angela - an initiative adapted by businesses around the UK and internationally to help promote safety and wellbeing
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Events
Sir Tim Martin returns to the Pub Conference 2024
The J D Wetherspoon boss will discuss the company’s target to reach 1,000 sites, lessons learned during the turbulence of recent years, and the importance of spending time in pubs and listening to customers
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Analysis & Insight
Economic pressures continue to dampen eating & drinking out
Wet weather prompted consumers to stay in while pressures continued to affect households with children, emphasising the need for operators to develop family-friendly promotions and value-driven menus
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Analysis & Insight
Wet weather threatens produce price spikes
Many crops, ranging from potatoes, carrots and salad for summer menus to the wheat grown to make beer, have been delayed or damaged by heavy rain
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News
Thornbridge & Co reports sales uplift
The joint venture between Thornbridge Brewery and Pivovar saw a 18% increase in sales across its bars in York, Birmingham and Leeds over the first quarter of the year
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Opinion
Peter Martin: Handle with care
Upon his return from a trip to Nashville, MCA’s contributing editor reflects on creating and nurturing a strong hospitality culture, and how London can strengthen its own hospitality ecosystem
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News
Foodservice inflation levels approaching normality
There has been a significant year-on-year fall in inflation of 2.5%, continuing a steady trend towards stability in pricing, according to CGA and Prestige
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News
SSP sees improved air and rail traffic
UK revenues grew by 19.6% to £392.1m in the first half, while like-for-like growth was 14.7%, with a lower impact from rail strikes
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News
State of Play seeks to accelerate growth via franchising
The Bounce and Hijingo operator is looking for experienced franchise partners to grow nationally and internationally
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Analysis & Insight
Survey reveals no-show motivations
A fifth of restaurant no-shows are the result of customers booking multiple venues, according to research by Zonal and CGA by NIQ
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News
Gordon Ramsay takes former Haugen site
Bread Street Kitchen & Bar will open in the 10,000 sq ft Stratford Cross Pavilion building, the sixth London opening of the year under the concpet
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Interviews
The Coffee House: ‘There’s so much opportunity in the UK’
Co-founder Chris Shelmerdine tells MCA the business sees ample room to grow in the North West of England and capability to eventually reach 100 sites
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News
Comptoir: Footfall remains ‘challenged and erratic’
The Lebanese, Middle Eastern and North African-inspired restaurant operator put in place a consolidation strategy in place in 2023 and rebuilt its senior team, reporting a marginal increase in sales and neutral EBITDA
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Interviews
P.F. Chang’s looks to 100 UK sites in long term
The US-founded Asian fusion concept will reopen its UK site in Leicester Square this month, with plans to open up to 20 restaurants over the next decade, Zaf Holdings CEO and master franchisee Arif Jivraj tells MCA
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News
Karen Jones: Confidence is the vital ingredient no business can do without
The Cafe Rouge co-founder and Hawksmoor chairwoman discusses what it takes to be successful