All MCA Insight articles in September 2024
View all stories from this issue.
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NewsJames Watt loses £150,000 investment in Clean Kitchen
The healthy eating brand has closed two venues and operates from a single site in Battersea Power Station, MCA understands
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NewsRosa’s Thai departs Deliveroo
Offering delivery through Uber Eats and Just Eat will allow Rosa’s to reach more customers from its 42 sites across the UK, according to the restaurant group
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Analysis & InsightThe value of brand partnerships
From Heinz’s collaborations with GDK and Morley’s, Papa Johns x Tabasco to PizzaExpress’ tie-up with Schwartz, MCA explores the emerging trend for brand partnerships, and the potential for increased brand visibility, customer engagement and mutual growth
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NewsBurger & Lobster achieves sales uplift
The London-based restaurant group’s nine-strong portfolio has delivered 4% sales growth in 2023, with the refurbishment programme driving results
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NewsFoodservice inflation continues to see year-on-year decline
Inflation stood at 2.8% in August, according to the latest Foodservice Price Index from Prestige Purchasing and CGA by NIQ, although certain categories are still seeing stubbornly high inflation
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NewsThe future of digital in hospitality
Hear from the likes of Five Guys and Papa John’s during a ‘blue sky’ panel at MCA’s Hostech Conference later this month on how operators are embracing a digital future
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NewsSt Austell enters low-alcohol beer market
The brewery and pub operator will launch Proper Job 0.5% – its first new category launch since entering the lager market in 2010 – in a bid to capitalise on the growing trend for low- and no-alcohol drinks
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ArticleOCTOBER 2024 EDITION
MCA’s October edition features in-depth analysis and commentary on the eating and drinking out sector. Simon Brooke takes an in-depth look at the UK’s flourishing franchise sector in this month’s cover story. We assess the impact of a new generation of salad bar operators on the lunchtime market and bring you big interviews with the outgoing CEOs at Punch Pubs and Laine Pub Co: Clive Chesser and Gavin George, as well as Bill’s MD Tom James, Papa John’s MD Chris Phylactou and Inception Group co-founder Charlie Gilkes. The edition features insight from Lumina Intelligence on the data that suggests veganism may have lost its mojo, and the latest M&A outlook for the pub market from AlixPartners, while Eggs Soldiers’ Tom Gatehouse gives his take on the evolution of modern British cuisine. Regular industry commentators Peter Martin, Dominic Walsh and David Read share their views on sector issues, including why ministers need to be more upbeat in their messaging, the bustle of the Bristol eating and drinking out scene and why getting bigger by getting better is preferable to a laser focus on the P&L.
To view the latest edition, click here. -
NewsNon-exec steps down at Cooks Coffee
Paul Elliot has stepped down as non-executive director, with immediate effect, with Gordon Robinson, UK based independent director, assuming Elliot’s previous role of chair of the audit committee.
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NewsIncipio Group achieved record sales in 2023
The London-based bar group saw a 32% improvement in sales performance, with revenue of £25.9m for the full year to 31 December and record adjusted EBITDA of £2.5m.
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NewsTasty improves profitability despite revenue drop
The operator of Wildwood and Dim T restaurants achieved revenue of £19.1m for the half year to 30 June 2024 – a decline of 12%, however operating profit improved over the period, from a loss in 2023.
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NewsLeon achieves strong lfls but losses widen
The Asda-owned brand achieved like-for-like sales growth of 17.5% at its company-owned sites, during the 52 weeks to 31 December 2023, however operating loss was £12.6m for the period.
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NewsLumina to reveal latest insight at MCA’s Restaurant Conference
Insight lead Katie Gallagher will take to the stage at the conference on 7 November to share an exclusive preview of Lumina Intelligence’s brand-new Restaurant Market Report.
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Analysis & InsightModern British – fusion phoenix rising
While historically banished to the realms of ‘bland’ and ‘boring’, British cuisine continues to be expertly yanked back onto the culinary map by pioneering operators making their own rules, writes Egg Soldiers’ Tom Gatehouse
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InterviewsPho gears up to reach 65-site milestone
CEO Patrick Marrinan speaks to MCA about leveraging the brand’s success across formats and geographies as the TriSpan-backed Vietnamese restaurant group makes its mark across the UK
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NewsFormer ‘rudest restaurant in London’ fined after mice found in kitchen
Chinatown’s renowned Wong Kei has been prosecuted for food hygiene offences and fined more than £40,000
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Analysis & InsightRestaurants ponder price increases as new tip-sharing law comes into force
Ban on using optional payments to cover costs or boost profits has bosses and their staff worried
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Weekend PressMichelin stars could be the ultimate kiss of death for restaurants
A report says that because the accolade brings higher costs and more stress, restaurants that have been awarded stars are more likely to close than those without
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NewsLabour set to water down Tory ‘green’ tax on packaging
At a time of rising costs for hospitality, a double penalty of being incorrectly levied a EPR fee and paying for commercial waste disposal is the last thing the sector needs, according to Kate Nicholls
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NewsMinisters look to lift alcohol ban in football stadiums
George Adam, the minister for parliamentary business, has joined calls for the restrictions to be relaxed as ‘things have moved on’