All MCA Insight articles in December 2024
View all stories from this issue.
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NewsState of Play delivers strong growth
The experiential operator of Hijingo, Bounce, and Flight Club North America achieved a 33% jump in group revenue to £47m, with the UK contributing £15m
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Analysis & InsightMCA introduces: Dave’s Hot Chicken
Dave’s launched in London on 7 December and “has massively exceeded expectations” ever since, fuelled by social media fame and a reputation for incredible chicken - with a serious kick. MCA visits the brand’s debut site on Shaftesbury Avenue
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NewsCommunity ownership fund scrapped
The 2021 scheme allowed communities the opportunity to save pubs on the brink of closure and has been scrapped a few months earlier than planned
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NewsHospitality staff consider legal action due to ‘cover charges’
Restaurants including The Ivy and The Wolseley add a mandatory cover charge to diners’ bills on top of a service charge, with only the latter passed on to workers, The Guardian reports
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NewsUKHospitality: ‘NICs will make generating growth even more difficult’
The planned changes to employer contributions will impact jobs, investment, and business viability, contributing to lacklustre growth figures, according to the trade body
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NewsPaul O’Leary joins The Revel Collective board
O’Leary, who also sits on the board of Boden, has been appointed non-executive director at the Revolution and Peach Pubs operator
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Analysis & InsightChristmas Day bookings up 75%
Pubs, bars, and clubs saw a 273% increase while restaurants saw a 115% uplift, albeit New Year’s Eve bookings dipped 64% compared to last year, according to Dojo
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NewsBBPA calls on government to review packaging reforms
Packaging materials that are less recyclable will incur higher fees from 2026, in a move that has the potential to “diminish growth and risk jobs”
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NewsChestnut grows revenues to nearly £30m
The East Anglian operator achieved a 33.6% rise in revenue while also growing EBITDA, its site portfolio, and accommodation business
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NewsBlack Sheep Coffee to expand presence in Scotland
The coffee shop chain continues to grow its presence in the UK, with plans for 14 new stores in Scotland over the next five years
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NewsSixth Street acquires Wingstop UK
The California-based investment firm has acquired a majority stake in the UK arm of the QSR chain, reportedly for more than £400m, with co-founders Tom Grogan, Herman Sahota, and Saul Lewin remaining minority shareholders
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News‘A cultural shift’: drinkers hit Hull’s Low Ale Trail for alcohol-free options
On ‘Mad Friday’, many festive revellers are choosing low- or no-alcohol drinks on the pub crawl touring Hull’s city centre
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NewsSoho House shares rocket after consortium tables £1.4bn takeover offer
A ‘new third-party consortium’ has offered to buy the group for $9 per share, with shares rocketing by more than 60% as a result
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NewsThe Guinness shortage is real – here’s how Diageo is racing to solve it
Irish reserves are being diverted to Britain as Christmas demand outstrips the St Patrick’s Day peak
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NewsPubs embrace festive boost ahead of tough new year
Greene King, Marston’s and others have hailed a jump in Christmas bookings but warned of rising costs next year
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InterviewsAzzurri Group: ‘We’re starting the year on the front foot’
CEO Steve Holmes speaks to MCA about the transition to a hospitality investment platform, the “massive” opportunities for Boojum and Dave’s Hot Chicken, and why there will always be a place for casual dining
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NewsCGL ‘continuing to assess viability’ of D&D London estate
D&D operator CGL Holdings saw turnover drop and losses rise in its financial results, albeit outgoing CEO David Loewi said “the prospects for the D&D group are excellent”
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NewsWimpy returns to Brighton
The burger chain, which closed its Brighton restaurant in 2006, has returned to the city following a £500,000 investment
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NewsKKR invests in Rebel Foods
The private equity firm has invested in the cloud kitchen platform to support its future growth, following reports of its interest in acquiring the UK arm of Wingstop
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NewsGroucho Club licence reinstated
The private members club will be allowed to reopen, following its closure last month over reports of a ‘serious criminal offence’ at the venue