All articles by Shwetali Sapte
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NewsAuntie Anne’s UK growth boosted by strong like-for-likes
The food to go concept, known for its hand-rolled pretzels, achieved 10% like-for-like growth in 2024 and is pushing to reach 100 sites
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NewsOpenings of the week
MCA rounds up this week’s biggest openings stories, featuring Harry’s, KERB, Greene King, Bloomsbury Leisure Group, and more
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NewsTortilla zeroes in on health in new summer menu
New £5 protein pots and a revamped salad offering are designed to appeal to the health-conscious customer across a wider variety of occasions
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Analysis & InsightEating out frequency dips but spend rises
Despite warmer weather, average frequency fell slightly in the four weeks to 8 June, albeit spend per visit rose 6.4% year-on-year, according to Lumina Intelligence
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NewsHoni Poke acquires Island Poké
The combined businesses operate 45 sites across the UK and Europe, in a strategic move to establish Honi Poke’s position as the UK’s leading poke operator
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Analysis & InsightGreggs shares drop in wake of profit warning
Barclays analyst Richard Taylor cited “concerns of overexpansion,” saying investors are “reasonably questioning whether the scale of the rollout is still appropriate”
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NewsPortobello Pub Company ‘consistently ahead of market peers’
The Zetland-backed, 27-strong pub group said like-for-like growth remains strong in a challenged market, with group revenue of £29m
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NewsUrban Pubs & Bars on track to deliver turnover in excess of £100m
As the wider sector saw a 1% dip in May, managing director Chris Hill revealed the pub group achieved growth of 6.2% as it continues to expand its 56-strong estate
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Event NewsParogon Group: ‘We’ve still got growth’
The pub-restaurant operator continues to look for sites that fit its portfolio, but will expand via measured, sustainable growth, co-founder Richard Colclough told MCA’s Pub Conference
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InterviewsWagamama: ‘We’ve been a discovery brand since the beginning’
Chief marketing & commercial officer Emma Colquhoun speaks to MCA about evolving customer preferences, staying relevant to younger generations, and broadening the brand’s appeal across occasions
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NewsGreat British Doner aims for 100 in five years
The new doner concept is actively recruiting franchisees with the aim of providing fresh, quality kebabs at scale
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NewsGreene King reaches milestone of 80 franchise pubs
Four years after launching its franchise pub business, the group said its is committed to growing its footprint, with further openings in the pipeline
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NewsKFC continues hunt for UK&I units
More than 50 locations are slated to open this year, as part of a £1.5bn investment to increase the chain’s estate by 500 sites over the next decade
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NewsRestaurants to be required to report diners’ calorie consumption
The Telegraph reports the industry has been “totally blindsided” by plans to reduce obesity and ease pressure on the NHS
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NewsSan Carlo nears £80m turnover
The premium, family-run Italian restaurant group posted £77.9m turnover in its latest accounts, as it expands its overseas footprint with launches in Miami, Egypt, Bahrain, and Morocco this year
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InterviewsWasabi: ‘We can easily double the estate in a few years’
The c.40-strong business is in like-for-like growth and trading well in a challenging market, with plenty of whitespace remaining in the UK, CEO Henry Birts tells MCA
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NewsMoto Hospitality continues investing in ‘transformation’ of rest stop experience
The MSA operator is rolling out new brands and EV infrastructure as well as improving the customer experience through tech
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NewsBenugo turnover surpasses £134m
The café, deli, and restaurant group achieved the highest turnover in its 26-year history in 2024, while securing new contracts at locations like St Paul’s Cathedral and Windsor Castle
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NewsLola’s Cupcakes triples pre-tax profits
The bakery business, which trades from 40+ locations, reported sales of more than £26m in 2024, with plans to continue expanding in the Southeast and beyond
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NewsOpenings of the week
MCA rounds up this week’s biggest openings stories, featuring Speedboat Bar, The Evolv Collection, Emerald Hospitality Group, and more