All MCA Insight articles in August 2020 – Page 3
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Analysis & InsightOperators slash menus by 32% post-lockdown
Operators have cut down the number of dishes on menus by 32% as they adapt their offer to the reduced post-lockdown demand, the latest analysis from Lumina Intelligence has revealed.
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NewsJollibee to open second UK site as it eyes rapid expansion
Jollibee, the Philippines largest fast-food chain, is set to open its second UK site in Liverpool next month.
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NewsD&D London in ‘strong financial position’ ahead of second reopening wave
D&D London has said it is in a ‘strong financial position’ as it sets out the second phase of its reopening strategy.
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NewsWahaca to shutter a third of estate
Wahaca is set to close a third of its estate in a bid to secure its future beyond the coronavirus crisis.
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NewsKate Nicholls: don’t hold out hope for furlough extension
Kate Nicholls has warned operators against falling foul of government by not complying with coronavirus safety guidelines - and said the prospect of the furlough scheme being extended looks bleak. Speaking to MCA as part of its virtual event The Conversation, the UK Hospitality CEO said as the prime minister’s five point roadmap looks set to move from three to two, which would enable more relaxation of social distancing restrictions, her “big plea is to make sure that we are all rigorous in terms of test and trace, all vigilant about the two household rule, and we stay on top of social distancing. The enforcement measures have been toughened up to fine people if they are not abiding by the rules, and it’s in all our vested interests to help those businesses in the night time economy reopen more quickly.
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NewsMajority of UK diners want the EOHO extended says YouGov poll
YouGov has released the results of research it has carried out into the impact of the government’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme. It found that of those who dined out using the scheme, more than a third will dine out less than they did before once the scheme ends (36%). It also found that 46% will dine out about the same, but just 4% will dine out more than they did. It said 7% will not dine out at all. Of those who used the scheme, over 77% would support the government extending the scheme across the whole of September as well, with only 14% opposing the suggestion.
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OpinionKFC stunt leaves a bitter taste
I love Kentucky Fried Chicken. KFC is one of the tastiest things in the world. But it’s tasteless to deploy the coronavirus as a marketing stunt. There is no reason the coronavirus should have caused it to drop its famous finger lickin’ good catchphrase, but it knew it would spark debate and get people talking about KFC, and in that respect it’s a marketing job as juicy as a delicious drumstick. But it’s an ill-judged move for KFC to exploit the coronavirus to get people eating more fried chicken.
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NewsGreene King offers another £6m in rent concessions
Greene King has announced an additional £6m of financial support for its tied tenants. MD Wayne Shurvinton has written to all Greene King’s tied pub tenants to confirm a 40% rent concession will be in place for all tied pubs for a further four weeks after the current support comes to an end. That will be followed by a 30% rent concession for the four weeks after that, taking support through until October. Tied tenants buying barrels of beer or cider from Greene King will also continue receiving a trade credit of £35 per barrel through to 2021.
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NewsThe “phenomenal” effect of Eat Out to Help Out - but will it be extended?
Gusto MD Matt Snell has described the effect of Eat Out to Help Out as “phenomenal” although he has no plans to continue with his own version of the discount scheme once it ends this week. “I’ve never really seen anything like it in my career,” he told MCA’s virtual event The Conversation. “The shape of the working week has changed, so Wednesdays are your Saturday night, Tuesday’s your Friday night and on Monday there’s kind of a second Friday. So it has been a runaway success, there’s no doubt about it. “There’s been quite a lot of negativity in the press around what it’s done to weekends, and restaurant groups pulling out, but we’ve had nothing but positive experiences and we’ve not seen a huge drop off in sales, if any, over the weekend.
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NewsHalf of consumers fear for the future of their coffee shops
Going for a coffee was the second most popular thing to do after visiting family and friends once the lockdown was lifted, according to research from Allegra World Coffee Portal. It said 55% of respondents had visited a café or coffee shop since the restrictions were eased, behind 69% who ...
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NewsBidding goes live for once-in-a-lifetime food and drink experiences
A unique charitable auction of once-in-a-lifetime food and drink experiences featuring some of the country’s top chefs and restaurants is now live. Online bidding for The Estrella Damm National Restaurant Awards Top 100 Auction will run for two weeks, with bidding closing at 6pm on Sunday 6 September. Lots include a meal, masterclass and stay at last year’s winner Moor Hall in Lancashire, a tour of Chinatown with celebrated chef Andrew Wong, a foraging experience followed by a meal with The Black Swan at Oldstead’s Tommy Banks, MasterChef star Monica Galetti cooking a dinner party in someone’s home and chef Clare Smyth leading a culinary masterclass at her two Michelin-starred Notting Hill restaurant Core by Clare Smyth.
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NewsGreggs reveals “ambitious” plans but warns of job losses
Greggs plans to have returned to full service by September, and plans to launch a “very ambitious national rollout plan” for click and collect and delivery by the end of September - but has also warned of job losses. In a message to staff, CEO Roger Whiteside said its manufacturing capabilities were also returning to normal. It will also be featured in the Just Eat ad campaign at the end of this week, with coverage increasing throughout September. Whiteside also addressed the issue of job security and warned of potential job losses once the furlough scheme comes to an end.
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NewsHai Di Lao Hot Pot launches first UK site
China’s biggest hot pot restaurant brand, Hai Di Lao Hot Pot, which has over 700 restaurants in 115 cities around the world, has opened its first UK site in London at the O2. The 8,200 sq ft restaurant, which has a 2,800 sq ft mezzanine floor, has room for 212 covers. It’s the brand’s second restaurant in Europe. “It is exciting to be opening our doors at such an iconic London location which shares our ambition for rapid and ambitious growth,” said a spokesman for Hai Di Lao Hot Pot.
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NewsKate Nicholls calls for EOHO extension and further support
Kate Nicholls has called on the government to extend the Eat Out to Help Out scheme. Speaking on BBC Breakfast this morning, the UK Hospitality CEO said “boosting confidence and boosting footfall” were the most significant things the scheme had done, but also pointed to the number of “first time users” saying 70% had said it was the launch of the scheme which had tempted them back out. “They needed it to boost their confidence and now they feel that they can return, not just to restaurants, pubs and bars, but also the high street,” she said. “And they’re more comfortable about returning to public transport which is critical for getting the economy moving.”
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NewsKaren Jones calls on industry to support track and trace
Karen Jones has called on the hospitality industry to “wholeheartedly support” the NHS Test and Trace initiative. Jones said hospitality has a “real responsibility to keep our customers, our teams and our communities safe and well. NHS Test and Trace is a powerful way to do just that, collecting and providing the information to help break the chain of transmission and control the virus. “It takes minutes. It helps to save lives and stop further lockdowns. It shows our people and our customers that we are professional, proactive and caring.” She also told MCA it was vital the government could see hospitality supporting it, saying: “Government will see us as an industry worth supporting because we in turn wholeheartedly support government initiatives.”
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NewsWetherspoons releases trading update
JD Wetherspoon has said like for like sales are down 16.9% for the 44 days to 16 August 2020 in a trading update. It said it had now reopened 844 of its 873 pubs, with some airport and station sites remaining shuttered. It has opened two new sites since July. The update said the businesses remains in a “sound financial position” with net debt at the end of the last financial year around £825m. It also agreed a £48.3m loan under the CLBILS scheme. Chairman Tim Martin also questioned the validity of lockdowns and took aim at the suggestion pubs were hives of infections when it comes to the coronavirus.
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Analysis & InsightLights out for late night?
Having already provided your full name and contact details, you pass by the thermal imaging camera and through the personal protection tunnel, where you remain for five seconds to ensure the chlorine dioxide has thoroughly disinfected your clothes and skin. No, this is not Area 51. Welcome to opening night at Piano Works, Farringdon. In its preparations for reopening, which operations director Tristan Moffat hopes will be by the beginning of October, the London-based live music concept isn’t taking any shortcuts when it comes to consumer safety.
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NewsPatty & Bun “cautiously optimistic” for the future
Patty & Bun has reported a pre-tax loss of £264k for the year ending November 2019, an improvement on the £318k it lost in 2018. Sales were £10.9m, down from £11.6m the previous year. In its report to Companies House, the business said it remained “cautiously optimistic” as a result of the coronavirus, and though it said the “current climate will remain difficult” for hospitality it was “well placed to tackle future challenges”. It said those would include the potential impact of travel bans, a second wave of the virus, the availability (or lack of) government support and absence of commuters as consumers work from home.
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NewsTapas back on the menu at Spanish Revolution
Spanish Restaurant Group, which operates Tapas Revolution, has now opened half of its 12-strong estate. It will continue to open sites and plans to be fully operational in October. Since the lockdown the group has restructured its management system and introduced a profit-related pay scheme. “We’re in a great position to get our fleet of Spanish restaurants back in operation and have a team who are committed and eager to start welcoming guests through our doors again, with our initial performance ahead of expectation,” said MD James Picton.
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NewsThe Clean Kitchen Club eyes rapid expansion
Plant-based virtual brand The Clean Kitchen Club has opened its third dark kitchen, its first in London, in just eight weeks.