All MCA Insight articles in April 2026
View all stories from this issue.
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InterviewsGemma Glasson on reimagining Wahaca in its 18th year
As she takes on the CEO role, Glasson said Wahaca will push forward on the opportunity to scale Mexican cuisine in the UK and invest heavily into the guest experience
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NewsBlank Street in talks to raise funds for expansion
The coffee shop chain, which operates nearly 50 sites across the UK, is in talks to raise more than $100m - and any deal could see it valued at nearly $1bn
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NewsLas Iguanas launches property restructuring plan
Brand owner Big Table is consulting with landlords over a restucture of the Latin American concept’s leasehold business, as wet-led casual dining continues to be a ‘very challenged’ part of the market, CEO Alan Morgan tells MCA
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NewsWagamama partners with Uber Eats
The partnership is Wagamama’s first new delivery partnership in ten years, and will ‘significantly expand’ its national reach
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NewsLeon brings back Nick Scovell to run restaurant operations
Scovell rejoins founder John Vincent as Leon rebuilds its senior team, bringing back those who were closely involved in the brand’s earlier expansion
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NewsRoadchef secures £300m investment from Macquarie
The motorway service area operator is looking to accelerate growth, with the new investment also supporting the rollout of EV charging points, upgrades to HGV facilities, and new retail and catering options
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NewsPunch acquires eight pubs from RedCat
The transaction comes as RedCat, which operates the award-winning Coaching Inn Group, focuses on expanding its 43-strong premium pubs with rooms portfolio
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InterviewsStonegate: ‘We’ve seen the benefits of a significant transformation strategy’
CEO David McDowall tells MCA that positive trading trends have continued into the second quarter of the year, following a step change that has delivered on “culture, strategy, and now performance”
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NewsOpenings of the week
MCA rounds up the week’s biggest openings stories, featuring new venues from Des Gunewardena, Evolv Collection, Heartwood Collection, and more
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NewsCreams completes strategic transformation
The 100-strong dessert café brand said it has successfully completed its repositioning towards a franchise-led, manufacturing-driven and scalable operating model
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NewsSona secures £34m Series B investment
Led by N47, the funding will accelerate the development of Sona’s forecasting, scheduling, and workforce AI platform
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NewsCoaching Inn Easter bookings up 6%
The RedCat Hospitality pubs with rooms business said the figures demonstrated the ongoing popularity in staycations and pub hospitality experiences
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NewsMCA’s Hostech returns next month
Popeyes, Moto Hospitality, Burger King UK, Mitchells & Butlers, Honest Burgers, and Starbucks are among the brands speaking at the event on 19 May
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Analysis & Insight10 takeaways from Hospitality Tech360
Speakers from PizzaExpress, Tortilla, Pho, Blacklock discussed their approach to tech as part of the Food, Drink & Hospitality Week, weighing in on everything from their approaches to marketing and AI solutions
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Analysis & InsightFuller's and the enduring appeal of bricks and mortar in a volatile world
It has arguably the highest-quality pub estate in the UK, a strong balance sheet and a compelling operational performance. So why does Fuller’s current valuation on the London Stock Exchange not reflect this? Despite the mismatch, MCA finds a lot to be optimistic about in traditional freehold pub businesses
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NewsHoni Poke to launch evolved offering at new flagship store
The new store at on Tottenham Court Road will see the introduction of new menu items and portion sizes, including new grab and go options range, including sushi sets and salads.
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NewsSmacks Burgers & Hot Chicken secures backing from rappers
Sky News reports that Smacks has appointed hip-hop duo Krept & Kronan as creative directors and investors, as the brand kicks off a multimillion pound fundraising aimed at helping it grow to 100 UK sites
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Weekend PressLabour risks pricing families out of a holiday, warns Butlin’s
Chief executive Jon Hendry Pickup tells The Sunday Telegraph the government’s planned tourist tax ‘could be disastrous’ for the seaside resort chain
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NewsLuke Johnson’s cinema chain closing in on Showcase’s UK venues
The Light, owned by the leisure sector investor who has backed Pizza Express and Gail’s, wants to buy the £55m movie-house business put up for sale by Paramount, The Sunday Times reports