All MCA Insight articles in April 2025 – Page 6
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NewsHospitality spending sees springtime boost
Consumer spending on hospitality & leisure increased 2.8% in March, in contrast to a decline in retail spending, according to Barclaycard
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NewsBusiness rates reform act receives Royal Assent
The potential for long-term business rates reform has edged one step closer after the Non-Domestic Rating (Multipliers and Private Schools) Act was passed into law in “landmark moment”.
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NewsExpansion drives sales for Lola’s Bakery
The 30-strong brand will open two new sites in Paddington and Clapham Junction, with another three to five outposts to open this year
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InterviewsThe Breadstall: ‘Pizza is more popular than ever’
Founder Seb Vince, along with Philip Eeles and Dorian Waite – two of the founders behind Honest - speak to MCA about launching the next disruptor brand and upending the pizza market
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OpinionThe dawn of true AI in hospitality
AI is already doing a lot of heavy lifting when it comes to reservations and guest services. Where it gets more interesting is in its ability to predict the future, writes Ben Dixon, CTO and founder of Sona
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NewsHostech boasts bumper line-up for 2025
Costa Coffee, Pizza Pilgrims, Pho, Turtle Bay, Comptoir and 200 Degrees join the line-up of panellists at MCA’s Hostech Conference next month
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NewsStonegate launches The People’s Pub format
The move will see 220 pubs, previously grouped under Stonegate’s Proper Pubs format, brought together under a new consumer-facing brand, with a new food and drink menu launching today
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InterviewsWahaca considers breakfast launch
The ’premium-casual’ Mexican chain is exploring the return of breakfast menus for the first time in more than a decade, CEO Mark Selby tells MCA
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NewsBrewDog restructures bars leadership
The craft beer group has created a co-leadership structure for its bars business following the departure of chief retail officer Lisa Buckley
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NewsDomino’s reports progress on carbon reduction and nutrition strategy
The pizza group has outlined progress towards its environmental and health targets, and set new goals for 2025
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NewsPuttshack and Topgolf founders to launch new venture
Poolhouse – the new competitive socialising concept from the Joliffe brothers – has secured $34m in funding from investors, with the first site to open near London Liverpool Street station later this year.
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NewsPetition for cask beer to be recognised with Unesco status
The petition, supported by Camra and a number of major breweries, calls for British cask ale to be recognised with Unesco’s ’intangible cultural heritage’ status
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NewsOakman founder steps away from business due to ill health
The group’s chief executive Peter Borg-Neal has stepped away from the business due to health reasons, with chairman John Leslie currently leading the business
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NewsRockfish appoints new NEDs
Knoops’ CMO Romy Miller and Mindful Chef founder Robert Grieg-Gran have joined the board at the seafood restaurant group, following John Barnes’ departure.
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Weekend PressMarina O’Loughlin: How Reddit became my go-to travel guide
The social media platform has become a place to discover hidden restaurant treasures, according to the Financial Times’ food columnist
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Weekend PressFears of British chicken shortages as farmers warn of supply crunch
Poultry producers have demanded an overhaul of planning rules to rear more birds, The Telegraph reports
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Weekend PressBritain’s railway pubs are having a renaissance
A train ride combined with a cold pint in a characterful establishment – there’s plenty to love about our great railway taverns and taprooms, The Telegraph’s Will Hawkes writes
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Weekend PressDomino’s looking for a second brand for decades of growth
Andrew Rennie opened his first franchise at 26 and now runs a chain that sold more than 100 million pizzas last year, The Times reports
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Weekend PressCoffee boss says customers have had enough as prices soar
Charging £4 for an espresso is driving coffee drinkers in London to boiling point, according to the chief executive of Lavazza
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InterviewsNEOS Hospitality on a new direction for the business
The party bar operator, previously known as Rekom UK, has a strong pipeline in place as it transitions to a more agile approach, CEO Russell Quelch tells MCA