All MCA Insight articles in May 2024 – Page 8
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News
The Rum Kitchen shutters estate
The Caribbean-styled bar restaurant brand appears to be set to enter administration after all four of its locations closed
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News
Punch delivers revenue and EBITDA growth
Underlying EBITDA for FY24 of £85.6m is now ahead of pre-pandemic levels; while the company is seeing “strong returns on investment” from its Managed Partnership division, with 70 more pubs identified for conversion
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News
PizzaExpress to make airport debut at Gatwick
PizzaExpress will open its first UK airport restaurant at London’s Gatwick on 20 May, serving a breakfast offer exclusive to the new site
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News
Greggs hits 2,500 shop milestone
The food-on-the-go retailer plans to open between 140 and 160 new shops in 2024, with a focus on expanding its presence in travel hubs and roadside locations to reach more customers
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News
New head of growth at Pasta Evangelists
Axel Bret joins from Starbucks, after MCA revealed late last year that the direct-to-consumer business will begin rolling out customer-facing pasta bars across London
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News
I am Döner signs first location in Canada
The Think Hospitality-backed kebab brand is also currently in talks with prospective partners in the GCC, building on its existing dark kitchen launch in Dubai
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News
Krispy Kreme sees fall in UK volumes
Lower volumes more than offset strong sales in Canada and Mexico, leading to a decline of 50 basis points in adjusted EBITDA margins for the international segment
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Interviews
Mission Mars sees potential for 50 Albert’s Schenke venues
The operator has been focused on Rudy’s Pizza and Albert’s Schloss in recent years - with the latter to soon make its London debut - but its Bavarian tavern concept has just as much potential for growth, CEO Roy Ellis tells MCA
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Analysis & Insight
Local craft beer equals global lager as most popular brew
According to the SIBA Independent Beer Report 2024, 55% of beer consumers now drink local craft beer in 2024, an 8% increase in popularity since 2023
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News
Gordon Ramsay announces largest hospitality investment yet
The chef will open five culinary outlets at 22 Bishopsgate, including Lucky Cat, Chef’s Table, and Bread Street Kitchen, which are set to be London’s highest restaurants
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News
Papa Johns advancing efforts to optimise UK business model
Interim CEO Ravi Thanawala has said additional strategic closures and re-franchising opportunities will be considered in the UK, as he remains confident the market can become profit accretive this year
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Events
Leaders of Stonegate, Greene King and Wetherspoon at The Pub Conference 2024
Headline speakers at The Ham Yard Hotel on 26 June include JD Wetherspoon’s chairman Tim Martin, Greene King CEO Nick Mackenzie and Stonegate CEO David McDowall
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News
Openings of the week
MCA rounds up this week’s biggest openings stories, featuring WatchHouse, Bunsik, Wolfox, Proper Pubs and more
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Interviews
Roxy Leisure's King Pins poised for expansion in 'exciting market'
The family-led venture from Roxy Leisure looks towards an upcoming launch at Manchester Arndale as well as two additional sites slated for this year and is actively scouting locations in major cities nationwide.
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News
Dishoom confirms two further Permit Room openings
The drinks-led concept will open in Oxford and Cambridge this year, offering unique cocktails and a range of ‘drinking food’
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News
Pubs can extend opening hours if England or Scotland reach Euro semi-finals
Venues will be allowed to stay open until 1am on match days if either or both teams reach the last four or the final, the Home Office has said
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Analysis & Insight
Customers reveal biggest bugbears
Speed of service and hot food being served cold are the biggest points of friction for pub, bar and restaurant customers, according to Zonal’s GO Technology report
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Analysis & Insight
Wetherspoons’ upbeat results toasted by analysts
The trading update, which saw like-for-like sales up 5.2%, reflects improving conditions across the UK’s pub sector, according to analysts
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Interviews
Wahaca ‘reimagined’: how the Mexican-inspired group is building back up again
After a challenging few years, the Mexican restaurant group is putting the past behind it with a huge new opening in London’s Paddington and a determination to bring back some buena vida
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Opinion
The visionary beer bro whose mercurial tendencies became a distraction
Outgoing BrewDog CEO James Watt created a global craft beer powerhouse which revelled in its outsider status, but his reluctance to grow up gracefully meant he was no longer the right man to lead an increasingly corporate company eyeing an IPO