All MCA Insight articles in August 2025 – Page 3
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Weekend PressHow the humble pizza conquered Britain
Barely a week goes by without local headlines hailing the expansion of a new pizzeria in another town or village, The Telegraph reports
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Weekend PressThe big match-day drink rethink
While lager may still be first choice for most fans, it’s no longer the only option in the UK’s Premier League clubs, Alice Lascelles writes for the FT
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Weekend Press‘They’re just not eating as much’: restaurants in the age of weight-loss drugs
According to Dan Hastings-Narayanin at the Future Laboratory, if the uptake of weight-loss drugs continues to increase as predicted, widespread change is inevitable, The Observer writes
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Weekend PressBrewDog beers axed by almost 2,000 pubs
The company’s range of draught beers have disappeared entirely from approximately 1,860 pubs in the last two years, cutting its UK distribution by more than a third, The Telegraph reports
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InterviewsSpudBros Express to open in Liverpool and Sheffield next month
Founded as a Preston market potato cart in 1955, SpudBros has evolved from a long-standing family business into a high-growth, influencer-driven brand with a following of more than 8 million
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NewsFinsbury Food Group acquires majority stake in Lola’s Cupcakes
The deal values the premium cupcake business at more than £25m and is part of Finsbury’s continued targeting of high-growth segments within the bakery market
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NewsTGI Fridays relaunch leads to 10% surge in covers
The turnaround strategy has led to a ‘marked improvement’ in sales performance for the casual dining chain, a month after the ‘brand revival’ on 4 July
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NewsValiant Pub Co secures additional £14m from Metro Bank
The facility brings Metro Bank’s total funding to Valiant to £26m, with the pubco well placed to grow rapidly in the coming months
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NewsFinsbury Food nears majority stake in Lola’s Cupcakes
Finsbury Food is in advanced talks to acquire a 70% stake in Lola’s Cupcakes in a deal valuing the business at more than £25m, according to Sky News
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NewsGusto administrators outline sale terms and creditor impact
Interpath Advisory has outlined the terms of the £2.53m pre-pack sale of seven Gusto Italian restaurants to Cherry Equity Partners
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InterviewsPizza Pilgrims: ‘We have clarity around our vision for the next chapter’
The experience offered by new owners L’Osteria, and backers McWin, alongside a belief in the potential to grow Pizza Pilgrims internationally, is “hugely exciting” for the business, co-founder Thom Elliot tells MCA.
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NewsBlacklock posts strong growth as brand expands beyond London
Growth was driven by sustained cover increases across the estate and the performance of its first regional site in Manchester, which has exceeded expectations
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Analysis & InsightStrategic investment fuels growth in pub sector
The pubs & bars market is forecast to grow turnover by 1.9% in 2025, driven by sustained price inflation offsetting outlet declines and margin squeezes from wage inflation
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NewsOpenings of the week
MCA rounds up this week’s biggest openings stories, featuring new concepts from the teams behind Tossed and Brother Marcus, and more
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InterviewsUrban Fresh Burgers & Fries to reach 50 sites by 2030
The South Yorkshire-based brand will open three flagship London sites in the next 18 to 24 months before expanding nationally through a mix of company-owned and franchised stores
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NewsBorough Market appoints new CEO as it targets further growth
Alistair Maddox will join Borough Market as CEO in September, as the London food hotspot targets further growth.
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NewsBusaba acquired for £75k
The seven-strong Thai restaurant group was acquired out of administration by Seaco Investments last month
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Analysis & InsightThe British-Indian invasion: The South Asian specialists looking across the pond
With Dishoom, JKS, Kricket, and Darjeeling Express all looking to test the waters across the Atlantic, MCA examines the opportunity for these London-born, Indian-inspired operators
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NewsTaco Bell to debut in Ireland
Applegreen plans to open further Taco Bell outlets at its Irish locations over the next five years as part of a €1bn investment programme
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NewsOakman Group faced ‘substantial pressure’ from debt load
The premium pub operator made a loss of £18.1m in the year ended 30 June 2024, with like-for-like sales down 2.8%, prior to entering into administration last month