All MCA Insight articles in April 2026 – Page 2
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NewsUK food halls buck downbeat hospitality trend
Amid closures and soaring costs, food halls are booming as a cheaper, lower-risk alternative to traditional restaurants, The Guardian reports
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Weekend PressThe yak farmer’s son who built a £19m sushi empire in Britain
Nepalese-born Chhong Sherpa came to London after a failed attempt to join the Gurkhas. It was the launchpad for learning a new cuisine and starting Iro Sushi, he tells The Sunday Times
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Weekend PressAre martinis too popular to be cool any more?
Long seen as the sophisticate’s cocktail, the martini is selling like it’s 1929 — but connoisseurs despair at the £6 jugs and Monster Munch garnish, The Sunday Times reports
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Weekend PressShould phones be allowed in restaurants?
A growing number of establishments are going on mute, the Financial Times reports
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Weekend Press‘Over the top and fun:’ TGI Fridays boss insists time is right for a UK revival
Ray Blanchette admits he may be a ‘little crazy’ as he outlines the chain’s hopes of building 1,000 outlets globally to The Guardian
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NewsFlight Club owner targets European expansion with new sites
Competitive socialising like darts and bowling is booming in the UK and Red Engine is now seeking opportunities across the Channel, The Times reports
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NewsGail’s to make Yorkshire debut
Gail’s has lined up an opening in Knaresborough, as the bakery chain builds its footprint further north and away from its heartland of the Southeast
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NewsShepherd Neame launches new sports bar concept
The brewer and pub operator has rebranded its existing venue, Pier Five Bar and Kitchen at the Chatham Maritime Marina, into Sin Bin - a new “high-energy” space focused on live sport, social gaming, and entertainment
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NewsAdnams confirms Simon Townsend as permanent chair
Townsend joined the Adnams board in January 2023 and was appointed interim chair in 2024; he has now been unanimously appointed as chair of the Suffolk-based brewer and hospitality group
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NewsBlack Sheep signs development agreement for Kent
The agreement will see the coffee shop chain open a minimum of 14 stores in the county, targeting commuter towns, busy high streets, retail parks, and roadside destinations
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NewsPopeyes rolls out breakfast range nationwide
The rollout will see 20 menu items, including the Big Cajun Roll and Big Cajun Wrap, served across the QSR chain’s estate from 14 April
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NewsShrimp & Co makes London debut
The Brixton opening is expected to be the first of several launches planned for 2026 for the casual dining seafood concept, as it accelerates its presence across the UK
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NewsGerman Doner Kebab makes chair appointment
The QSR kebab chain has appointed former Costa Coffee and Chipotle executive Jim Slater as its new chair and non-executive director, as it looks to accelerate its growth in the UK and overseas.
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NewsMcDonald’s UK&I CMO steps down
Ben Fox has stepped down after 14 years with the fast food brand, having first joined as a senior media and budget manager
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NewsDishoom appoints strategic finance director
Imran Khan was previously a director at ISK Consulting, where he played a pivotal role in securing £300m in investment for Dishoom, from global investment firm L Catterton, last year.
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NewsTim Martin: ‘Energy prices could be straw that breaks the camel’s back’
The Wetherspoon’s founder and chairman has said the hospitality sector is in a very vulnerable position, with the prospect of higher energy costs compounding the pressure on operators.
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NewsYoung’s acquires Cubitt House
The deal to acquire the London pub group, for a reported £30m, will see Young’s add a collection of eight premium leasehold pubs to its estate – including some with rooms – and a further pub in Belgravia which is currently under development.
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NewsJohn Vincent: ‘The government is killing the restaurant industry’
The Leon co-founder has accused the government of being ”a complete and utter distaster” for the hospitality sector due to the burden of costs it is placing on businesses.
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NewsGiggling Squid sees record revenue but swings to loss
The Thai restaurant group said it planned to continue “a measured roll out” of its restaurants, with large sites in Leeds and York already opened in FY26 and strong pipeline of future sites already secured.
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InterviewsHoni Poke: ‘We’re trying to stretch what poke can mean for our guests’
CEO Hilary Brett talks to MCA about the category leader’s menu innovation, the integration of Island Poke’s estate and opportunities for future growth in the UK and France