All MCA Insight articles in August 2025 – Page 5
-
OpinionDynamic David Page scouts around for acquisition targets
MCA columnist Dominic Walsh hears the incoming Bow Street Group chairman is looking at Algarve grilled chicken concept Casa do Frango; a “cooler version” of Gail’s bakeries called Lockdown Bakehouse; and Pasture, a small chain of upmarket steak houses
-
NewsPasta Evangelists targets 100 restaurants in five years
The brand and its franchise partners will be investing over £30m in the new restaurants, and are actively looking for sites and new partners across the South of England, Midlands and in Scotland
-
NewsPizza Pilgrims acquired by McWin-backed restaurant group L’Osteria
German-based Italian restaurant group L’Osteria has acquired a majority stake in the Neapolitan pizza brand for an undisclosed sum, and will partner with Pizza Pilgrims as it explores opportunities for international openings and measured expansion in the UK.
-
NewsDomino’s boss blames planning delays for slow UK expansion
CEO Andrew Rennie says that slow planning approvals and delays to electricity and gas connections are holding back its UK store rollout, with some sites opening up to six months later than planned
-
NewsPublic backs fairer access for independent brewers
More than two-thirds of UK adults believe large brewers are making it harder for independent breweries to survive, according to new YouGov polling for CAMRA
-
NewsOn Premise drinks sales steady in late July
Drinks sales in the On Premise held level year-on-year in the final week of July, according to CGA by NIQ’s latest Daily Drinks Tracker
-
NewsSix by Nico raises £1.6m in early access crowdfunding
The six-course tasting menu concept group will use the funds to support the opening of its new flagship in London and to reduce existing debt
-
NewsWaiter brings legal action against The Ivy over tips and service charge
The Richard Caring-owned restaurant chain is accused of failing to clarify how payments were calculated, The Guardian reports
-
Weekend PressHow the gig economy conquered Britain and stoked the migration crisis
Uber and Deliveroo have transformed the UK, but concerns are growing that they attract illegal workers, The Telegraph reports
-
Weekend PressZuber Issa calls for EG Group to sell $5bn-plus US forecourt business
The co-founder of the petrol station giant wants its board to pursue an American sale rather than float the entire business in New York, the Financial Times reports
-
Weekend PressRestaurant chains feel the pinch as US consumers tighten their belts
Americans are increasingly eating at home as they fret about job security and stubbornly high prices, the Financial Times reports
-
NewsTasty African Food seeks to grow to 100 restaurants in five years
The chain of 27 outlets, run by Michael Olaleye and his wife Abi, has never raised outside investment, preferring to maintain full ownership and grow more slowly
-
NewsWendy’s enters chicken category
The QSR chain’s investments into the UK have enabled it to expand further into Europe, alongside branching out into the fast-growing chicken category
-
InterviewsBig Table: Bella Italia ‘miles ahead’ of the pack
CEO Alan Morgan tells MCA the value-led brand, which has been in growth for the last decade, excluding the pandemic, continues to “grow at a rate that’s extraordinarily pleasing”
-
NewsSoho House Q2 revenue up with growth in membership and F&B
The private members club has reported an 8.9% rise in total revenue to $329.8m for the 13 weeks to 29 June 2025, with growth across membership, F&B and accommodation sales
-
NewsKrispy Kreme targets UK refranchising as part of global turnaround plan
Krispy Kreme is set to refranchise its UK and Ireland operations as part of a newly announced turnaround plan focused on profitable US growth and capital-light international expansion
-
NewsHarrods to scale back fine dining as part of F&B strategy shift
Following a strategic review, the department store confirmed it is winding down several chef partnerships in a move away from fine dining towards developing its own F&B concepts
-
NewsOpenings of the week
MCA rounds up this week’s biggest openings stories, including Atis, Star Pubs, Mowgli, Carl’s Jr., Loungers, and more.
-
NewsUK driving international sales at Restaurant Brands International
RBI, owner of the Burger King, Tim Hortons, Popeyes franchises, reported a 9.8% increase in system-wides sales within its international business with Popeyes achieving really strong sales outside the US
-
NewsSales return to growth for Papa Johns UK
The pizza delivery chain has undergone significant transformation since 2023, a strategy that has led to growth in both customers and sales, according to CFO Ravi Thanawala