Finn Scott-Delany
Editor Finn Scott-Delany has been with MCA for several years and has developed an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the eating and drinking out sector. He has a specialist interest in street food, emerging technology, speciality coffee and craft beer.
Contact info
- Tel:
- +44 (0)1293 846513
- Email:
- Finn.Scott-Delany@mca-insight.com
NewsPizza Pilgrims appoints advisors to assess strategic options
The Neapolitan-inspired pizzeria brand has had unsolicited conversations with trade operators, international hospitality partners, global food service providers and financial institutions about its next steps
NewsUKH: Mass closures without urgent business rates solution
Substantial, deep reform of the system is not possible before rates relief ends on April 1, but a reduced multiplier can be a permanent, universal solution, according to UKHospitality deputy CEO Allen Simpson
InterviewsPapa Johns UK: ‘We went from profit-making to loss-making overnight’
UK managing director Chris Phylactou says the pizza business is in a “much better place” after acquiring 116 struggling stores, closing 43, and re-franchising 60
OpinionIs Gail’s Bakery having a Tesla moment?
Like Elon Musk, Gail’s chairman and investor Luke Johnson is enthusiastically contrarian in railing against the liberal consensus. But as a campaign mobilises in Walthamstow against a new bakery, at what point does an outspoken entrepreneur prove a turn off for consumers?
InterviewsFrankie & Benny’s sales ‘much higher’ than wider market
Big Table Group is trialling a refreshed proposition at three sites and conversions to Bella Italia at a further two after discovering the Italian American brand is still making “massive average weekly sales”, CEO Alan Morgan tells MCA
InterviewsCraft Union: ‘We want to make pubs beautiful again’
As the community pub company opens its 600th location, CEO Frazer Grimbleby discusses the win-win appeal of the operating model, its cross-demographic consumer appeal, and how the Stonegate-owned business is using data to inform growth
NewsCraft Union shakes up operator-managed model
The Stonegate-owned community pub company has introduced extra incentives, additional profit share and uncapped earning potential for its managed operators as it opens its 600th site, CEO Frazer Grimbleby tells MCA
InterviewsTim Martin: My £100m mistake
Wetherspoon’s chairman shares his latest wheeze in the pubco around chilled bottle beer and branded pint glasses; how he plans to reach 1,000 sites; and his multimillion-pound investment blunder at MCA’s Pub Conference
NewsCrosstown made losses of £3m in last two years
The doughnut brand saw a drop-off in demand for its premium products, and was impacted by supply side cost inflation, before being acquired by Karali Group in a pre-pack administration for £500,000
NewsZuber Issa to take on forecourt franchises
As part of his £228m exit from EG Group, co-founder Zuber Issa will take on foodservice outlets at 30+ forecourt locations, which includes franchise sites for Starbucks, Greggs, Subway, Cinnabon, Sbarro and Chaiiwala
NewsEG Group sells off parts of foodservice business in £228m deal
EG Group has agreed to sell its remaining UK forecourt business and certain standalone foodservice locations to co-founder Zuber Issa. EG will retain Cooplands and its Starbucks franchise business. Meanwhile TDR Capital has acquired Zuber’s shares in Asda, taking its ownership to 67.5%
NewsAdmiral Taverns acquires 37 pubs from Fuller’s
The portfolio of freehold, community, wet-led sites from Fuller’s Tenanted estate span London, Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire, and were sold for £18.3m
OpinionThe 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
InterviewsStar Pubs & Bars: 'We want to attract 18-100 year olds'
The Heineken-owned operator is investing £39m in a quarter of its estate, which it will use to broaden its pubs’ appeal to a wider selection of customers and occasions, property director Chris Moore tells MCA
NewsSunday mobile payment app levies ‘checkout fee’
The payment app from the founders of Big Mamma Group is facing complaints from customers after introducing an additional charge on bills paid via mobile
InterviewsHeart with Smart: ‘We’ve digested the damage and can now start to rebuild’
Following the successful refinance of its debt, CEO Jens Hofma tells MCA the Pizza Hut Restaurants operator is looking to fire up innovation and reignite unit growth in 2025
NewsHeart with Smart extends senior debt until 2027
The operator of Pizza Hut Restaurants and itsu franchises has also appointed Steve Packer, an existing member of the management team, as CFO, as Andy Platt steps into semi-retirement
InterviewsShepherd Neame: Normal patterns of demand and investment are returning
CEO Jonathan Neame discusses improving footfall and dwell time in London, the dampening impact of inclement weather on coastal towns, and when falling inflation might boost net disposable income among consumers
NewsStonegate reports strong trading momentum
The group achieved 12% like-for-like sales growth in its pubs over Christmas, while late night and branded bars were up 10%, according to CEO David McDowall
InterviewsAzzurri: ‘2024 will get stronger as the headwinds dissipate’
CEO Steve Holmes discusses the ASK and Zizzi operator’s full year results and prospects for the year ahead, with growth from Coco di Mama and Boojum