All MCA Insight articles in October 2024 – Page 5
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OpinionCompeting for oxygen with the board
UKHospitality’s recent Environmental Sustainability Seminar once again highlighted the need for more board engagement, David Read, founder and chairman of Prestige Purchasing, says
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InterviewsMental health in hospitality: ‘There is still a long way to go’
People are the backbone of hospitality businesses, so supporting their mental health needs is essential, Kelly’s Cause founder Tobie-Anna Durk tells MCA
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NewsBreal and Calveton acquired TGI’s for £9.55m
As a result of poor trading performance in 2024, Hostmore and Thursdays (UK) began to experience significant cash pressures, with administrators called in earlier this month
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NewsHospitality leaders urge government action on quadrupling of business rates
CEOs from the UK’s largest pub and restaurant groups have signed an open letter to the Chancellor, calling for action on business rates, which would quadruple in April if current relief ends as planned.
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NewsMcDonald’s UK reports significant drop in profit after tax
Profit after tax at McDonald’s Restaurants Limited was £35m in 2023, down from £129m the previous year, despite an increase in turnover
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Analysis & InsightThe immense potential of generative AI
As big brands latch onto the potential of artifical intelligence, Simon Brooke looks at how the likes of Chipotle, Domino’s, Roasting Plant Coffee and more are driving efficiencies, controlling costs and creating consistency in their businesses
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Weekend PressRising food inflation clouds the good news on headline rates
Wholesale food prices stopped declining at the start of the year and started rising again, according to the FAO index
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Weekend PressHow pious and abstinent Gen Zs are drying out British universities
Booze is falling out of fashion as new generations of students make their mark on campus, The Telegraph reports
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Weekend PressWhen pubs and restaurants close, our culture is a casualty
Hospitality jobs have long kept struggling artists, actors and musicians going. When those gigs go, the arts are diminished too, Jay Rayner writes for The Observer
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Weekend PressDirectors’ Deals: Greggs finance chief slices his stake
Greggs’ shares have risen by almost a fifth over the past year, with chief financial officer Richard Hutton’s selling of £1.85m-worth of shares on October 8
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NewsOpenings of the week
MCA rounds-up the biggest openings stories from the past week, featuring Pizza Pilgrims, Wagamama, Boojum, Wingstop, Lena Lu and more
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NewsMarston’s outlines new strategy
As a focussed pub operator, Marston’s will invest in five distinct pub formats to drive higher profit margins, and with the potential for refinancing to deliver suplus cash
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InterviewsGiggling Squid: ‘Bigger sites offer us better economies of scale’
With labour costs continuing to soar, the BGF-backed Thai restaurant group is actively looking to open larger footprint sites where appropriate, CEO Andy Laurillard tells MCA
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NewsGDK makes senior leadership appointments
Tommy Edmond joins the company as chief financial officer (CFO), while Amit Pancholi steps into the role of UK franchise development director
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NewsValiant Pubs reaches 70-site milestone
The community-focused pub group is looking to grow its foothold in the south of England, as part of its ongoing strategy to strengthen its market position across the UK.
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NewsTRG explores £300m refinancing
The Wagamama owner is seeking to reduce its borrowing costs by locking in lower interest rates, Sky News reports
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News200 Degrees grows sales to £16.5m
The Nottingham-based coffee shop operator and roaster has opened three new stores in 2024
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NewsAlma Café opens fifth site
The healthy eating brunch and coffee concept led by Bakhtiyar Sadigli has opened in Related Argent’s Author Building in Kings Cross
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NewsDeliveroo UK order values grow 7%
The delivery company says it has made progress on initiatives in its home market in a “more stable but still uncertain” consumer environment
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NewsInflation figures means £914m rates bill in April
September’s inflation rate of 1.7% means a likely increase of £48m for hospitality businesses, according to UKHospitality