All articles by Shwetali Sapte
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NewsIvan Orkin to debut first permanent restaurant in London
The chef will begin offering ramen bowls on Farringdon Road next month, with plans for multiple further openings across the country
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NewsEmma Harris to succeed Tim Jones as M&B CFO
Harris is currently finance director – food at Marks & Spencer, and is expected to succeed Jones in early summer 2026 when he steps down after 15 years
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Analysis & InsightYounger consumers more accepting of UPFs - ‘if done right’
The food sector can find opportunity for health-led, processed innovation targeted at younger customers, according to a new report from FoodNavigator and Lumina Intelligence
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NewsCoca-Cola: ‘Costa business is doing well’
Coca-Cola CEO James Quincey says Costa has seen investment and volume growth in its UK estate, but is “standing back and reflecting” in what’s next for its coffee strategy
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InterviewsBrother Marcus on menu innovation: ‘It’s good for business’
The Eastern Mediterranean restaurant group tries to cater to a variety of needs, whether customers want something healthy or “naughty,” co-founder Tasos Gaitanos told MCA’s Innovation Conference
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NewsBlack Sheep signs development agreement for Cambridgeshire
The coffee shop chain has announced a seven-store development agreement with MJP Coffee, with sites set to open in both urban and commuter hotspots
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InterviewsHouse of Gods: ‘London can give us our calling card’
Founder Mike Baxter tells MCA he has “huge aspirations” to take the boutique experiential offer to global cities, as the Imbiba-backed concept gears up to debut in London next month
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InterviewsWahaca’s take on the UPF debate: ‘We’re part of the puzzle’
Managing director Gemma Glasson discussed how to ‘uptell’ rather than ‘upsell’ and why rising awareness around UPFs plays into Wahaca’s strengths
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NewsPizza Hut UK acquires 64 restaurants in pre-pack deal
While almost half of Pizza Hut’s dine-in sites have been acquired out of administration, 68 restaurants and 11 delivery sites will close as part of the deal, resulting in more than 1,210 job losses
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Analysis & InsightLicensed premises increase in Q3, providing reason for ‘cautious optimism’
Britain’s number of licensed premises has fallen by 0.6% in the last year, but rose in the three months to September, according to CGA by NIQ
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NewsFunbox Entertainment invests £4m into new ‘Urban Fun’ concept
The new venue in Kingston upon Thames is billed as a multi-experiential, cashless social playground where guests can ‘eat, drink, play, and win’ under one roof
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Analysis & InsightNew cross-party inquiry sets out recommendations to drive pub sector growth
A report commissioned by the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group has called on the government to help drive investment and growth in pubs and brewing
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NewsVarious Eateries beats expectations with 6% revenue growth
The Coppa Club and Noci operator expects full-year revenue of £52.4m, with like-for-like sales up 4% during H2
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InterviewsCreams ‘staring down the barrel of HFSS regulations’
CEO Everett Fieldgate has revealed Creams is pushing to differentiate its brand from other dessert café chains, with more NPD in the pipeline
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NewsOpenings of the week
MCA rounds up this week’s biggest openings stories, including Donutelier, Wingstop, Sushinoya, Sandwich Sandwich, and more
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InterviewsAmber Taverns: ‘We’re seeing real momentum’
The community pub operator is targeting 17 new sites including southern expansion this year as it looks to become a nationwide operator, chairman James Baer tells MCA
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NewsAmber Taverns delivers record turnover of £120m
The community pub operator, which trades from 184 pubs across the UK, saw turnover increase 9% year-on-year, with profit before tax up 7% to £19.1m
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NewsWhitbread: New integrated offering offsets F&B sales dip
The Premier Inn operator has reported a 4% decline in its F&B sales in H1 FY26, in line with expectations as it removes its lower-returning branded restaurants
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NewsChick-fil-A strengthens UK team
The chicken brand has hired Paul Claxton to head up operations as it gears up to launch in Leeds this autumn
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Analysis & InsightQuality, health, value: The trends shaping menu innovation into 2026
More than one-third of UK adults claim they’re highly likely to be first to try new food and drink products, with research revealing clear appetite for innovation driven by health consciousness, value scrutiny and social media