All MCA Insight articles in April 2025 – Page 4
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NewsYoung’s appoints interim directors of ops
Oliver Aubrey-Thomas and John St John have spent 14 and 15 years respectively with the pub group
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NewsTossed signs first franchise partner as part of 50-site target
The healthy eating brand, which currently operates 13 stores in London, has partnered with Goldbean Limited, led by Badar Zaman, with the first franchise location to open in central Nottingham this summer
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Analysis & InsightDemand for premium spirits helps boost embattled late-night sector
Consumers continue to trade up to premium spirits and cocktails despite pressures on spending and a challenged late night segment. MCA explores how the bar sector is responding, and how suppliers are helping meet demand for elevated occasions
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InterviewsMaki & Ramen: ‘We’d like to open in every major UK city’
The ten-strong Scottish restaurant company is targeting 30 sites by 2027 and has recently launched a franchise operation to help it grow at a faster rate, founder and CEO Teddy Lee tells MCA.
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InterviewsSalt Beer Factory focuses on pub refurbishments and hybrid models
The brewer and bar business is prioritising investment in its existing pub estate with a focus on site refurbishments, hybrid models and collaboration with street food vendors, MD Edd Simpson tells MCA
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Analysis & InsightGrowing polarisation in on-premise consumer behaviours
High costs and less disposable income remain the biggest hurdle for the 42% of on-premise consumers who are going out less. In contrast, one in five are going out more, data from CGA by NIQ has found.
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InterviewsBrucan explores experiential concept and university town expansion
The five-strong pub group is considering the launch of a new experiential leisure concept, alongside its existing premium pub portfolio, group director James Lyon-Shaw tells MCA
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Analysis & InsightStonegate’s Social Pub & Kitchen taps into Ed Sheeran’s fan base
The pub group has collaborated with the artist’s hot sauce brand, Tingly Ted, to refresh its menu and increase brand visibility
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NewsNeat closes remaining UK burger restaurants
The plant-based burger chain, backed by F1 racing champion Lewis Hamilton and actor Leonardo DiCaprio, had already closed half of its eight strong UK estate in 2023
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NewsF1 champion Alonso buys stake in Sticks ‘n’ Sushi
The Spanish Formula 1 driver is understood to have secured a stake of more than 20% in the Danish-Japanese restaurant group, becoming one of five co-investors, alongside private equity backers McWin.
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Weekend PressCask ale brewers call for heritage status to save traditional beer
Real ale is under threat from changing tastes and pub closures but campaigners hope their petition will help preserve it, The TImes reports
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Weekend PressHospitality turns to baby boomers to ease staff shortage
Research from Employment Hero has found a near 10% increase in the baby boomer generation returning to casual hospitality roles, Caroline Bullock writes in the Financial Times
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Weekend PressPubs in England and Wales to stay open later for VE Day anniversary
Venues to remain open until 1am as PM urges UK to come together to mark 80th anniversary on 8 May, as reported in The Guardian
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Weekend PressMeatliquor founder: Tax raid has made running my business ‘a struggle’
Meatliquor founder Scott Collins says red tape and levies dampen ‘passion and potential’, The Telegraph’s senior business reporter Daniel Woolfson writes,
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Weekend PressAre Michelin stars a blessing - or a curse?
The esteemed restaurant guide has struggled to stay relevant, with some leading chefs even barring reviewers or asking for their stars to be removed, Anita Chaudhuri writes in The Guardian
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Weekend PressGreene King-backed Hickory’s to open 10 restaurants a year
The BBQ smokehouse brand, which was acquired by Greene King in 2022, has said it sees a ‘substantial opportunity’ to grow despite sector challenges, The Independent reports
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NewsSupernova, Bagatelle Group and more join Grosvenor’s F&B line-up
Grosvenor has announced a series of summer hospitality openings across Mayfair and Belgravia, including new concepts from Supernova and Bagatelle Group
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NewsDeliveroo reports accelerating order growth and strong start to 2025
Deliveroo has reported a strong Q1 2025 performance, with 7% year-on-year order growth and a 9% increase in gross transaction value
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NewsOpenings of the week
MCA rounds up this week’s biggest openings stories, including Afrikana, Pret A Manger, RedCat Hospitality, and more
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NewsGreggs reports strong progress on sustainability targets
The bakery chain has published its 2024 sustainability report, outlining progress against the targets set out in its five-year sustainability plan, which runs until the end of 2025