All MCA Insight articles in April 2025
View all stories from this issue.
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NewsGreene King delivers revenue growth across all four divisions
Group revenue increased by 3.2%, with the pub operator attributing the performance to record Christmas bookings and strong demand from events such as the 2024 Men’s Euros
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NewsStarbucks Q2 results ‘far from potential’
The coffee giant saw global comparable sales continue to decline, albeit CEO Brian Niccol reiterated the ‘Back to Starbucks’ plan is the right strategy to turn the business around
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NewsPoolhouse hires Rachel Masing as people director
Masing joins the social entertainment content after more than six years with ETM Group, as Poolhouse gears up to launch its debut site later this year
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NewsYoung’s delivers strong performance against challenging backdrop
Total managed revenue was up 25.4% in FY25, with CEO Simon Dodd crediting the strength and resilience of the premium estate
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NewsNightcap paid £150k for i360 tower
The group is investing £2m into revamping the attraction’s hospitality offering, with improvements to the bar and kitchen, café, gift shop, and creation of an outside terrace and rooftop seating area
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NewsStonegate blames beer price hikes on ‘considerable economic uncertainty’
The 4% increase in beer prices affects Stonegate’s Pub Partners and will be effective from Friday 2 May, The Morning Advertiser reports
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NewsLucky Voice for Business reports strong like-for-likes
The karaoke concept has seen a 31% rise in like-for-like revenue contributed by its B2B arm over the past 12 months
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NewsRoadchef appoints Tim Gittins as CEO
The appointment follows the departure of former chief executive Mark Fox, who announced the move in January
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NewsPizzaExpress upgrades loyalty scheme
The PizzaExpress Club will now offer guests instant rewards for downloading the app, as well as the chance to progress through tiers more quickly
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NewsLas Iguanas launches loyalty programme
The Iguana Club allows guests to collect stamps and unlock rewards, including surprise giveaways, birthday treats, and exclusive offers
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NewsBlack Box Intelligence acquires Yumpingo
Black Box seeks to elevate its AI-driven restaurant performance solutions through the acquisition of the guest experience management and survey platform
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Analysis & InsightWarm weather helps pubs outperform restaurants
Leading managed pub groups achieve 3.6% like-for-like growth in March, while restaurants slipped 5.7%, according to the CGA RSM Hospitality Business Tracker
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NewsM&B to close debut Browns Brasserie in Brighton after 50 years
Despite the closure of the historic site, M&B is looking to re-energise the brasserie brand, with openings and conversions in Wilmslow, Exeter, Sutton Coldfield and Bushey Heath
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NewsVivek Singh calls for dynamic pricing at restaurants
The Cinnamon Kitchen founder believes discounted late-night meals could help revive the capital’s late-night economy
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NewsCosta pushes for further growth across formats
The coffee chain has renewed its focus on the high street, shopping centres, drive-thrus, and retail parks, while extending its partnership with real estate advisor Savills
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EventsFuture trends, AI, robotics and loyalty at Hostech 2025
Leading hospitality brands reveal the strategies, technologies and investment priorities shaping the future of guest experience next month
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InterviewsWagamama surpasses 1m loyalty members as omnichannel grows
CEO Thomas Heier tells MCA the programme is already driving “positive movements to member visit frequency” since launching in 2024, with further functionality and features in the pipeline
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InterviewsVelvet Taco to open at Broadgate Circle, targets 10 UK sites by 2030
The fast-casual taco brand’s first UK site is to open in July, followed by a Soho opening and two sites each year over the next five years
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NewsPrezzo teases new name ahead of strong Q1
CMO Mark McCulloch revealed the plans in a LinkedIn post, teasing: “An Italian icon is about to have a makeover…New name, same passion”
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NewsExecs vie to take chair role at Whitbread
Sky News reports Christine Hodgson, who chairs water company Severn Trent, and Andrew Martin, chair of the testing and inspection group Intertek, are the leading contenders for the Whitbread job