All MCA Insight articles in December 2024 – Page 7
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NewsXP Factory grows revenue by 33%
The experiential leisure operator delivered continued underlying like-for-like growth in both its Escape Hunt and Boom Battle Bar brands, ahead of the industry
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NewsIberica poised to enter administration
Tapas chain Iberica is on the verge of entering administration after efforts to find a buyer for the business stalled, Sky News has reported.
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InterviewsWingstop UK continues to break sales records
The chain broke 147 individual sales records in November, “massively fuelled” by delivery, COO Matt Shepard told MCA’s Restaurant Conference
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InterviewsOttolenghi explores expansion outside central London
The premium restaurant group will open a site in Richmond and another in partnership with Mandarin Oriental Hotels, while growing its wholesale business and partnership with Waitrose
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InterviewsMarston’s: ‘2024 was a seminal year’
The pub group does not see pricing as its primary tool to mitigate labour cost increases, instead focusing on driving visit frequency and revenue, according to CEO Justin Platt
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![Zizzi_Sainsburys_RusticaMargherita[1]](https://d36hgjhwuw81py.cloudfront.net/Pictures/100x67/4/2/1/343421_zizzi_sainsburys_rusticamargherita1_806300.jpg)
Analysis & InsightHow retail ranges became an essential part of a restaurant group’s toolkit
As more casual dining chains launch products into supermarkets, Simon Brooke explores the strategic logic behind adopting an omnichannel strategy, what premium consumers place on such branded products – and whether there is a risk of cannibalising dine-in trade
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Analysis & InsightWhy the smallest details can make or break your restaurant’s guest experience
Great food, impeccable service and beautiful interiors are vital, but what really sets the best brands apart is their ability to elevate the seemingly mundane
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Analysis & Insight
Early festive socialising fuels hospitality in run-up to Christmas
The hospitality & leisure category was up 4.7% in November, with bars, pubs, and clubs seeing their highest growth since July, according to Barclays
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InterviewsThunderbird to take first steps outside London
The fried chicken brand has seen “incredibly strong” like-for-like sales and is working on securing new franchisees - as well as a new concept, CEO Paul Gilchrist tells MCA
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NewsSixes team launches baseball concept
Moonshot has opened in Westfield London with a vision to bring the “electrifying spirit of baseball culture” to the UK, with an Americana inspired hospitality offering and live sports
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NewsEmployment Rights Bill must reflect ‘unique circumstances’ of hospitality
As part of a four-part consultation into the Government Bill, UKH warned the legislation must reflect the distinctive circumstances of the sector compared to office jobs
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NewsUK travel sector performs well for SSP
In contrast, Continental Europe was disappointing, with strikes in the rail sector, weak Motorway Service Area trading and Olympics-related disruption
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NewsMarston’s ‘outpacing market’ under new strategy
CEO Justin Platt said 2024 had been “transformational”, with the sale of the remainder of its brewing operating giving it greater financial flexibility and strategic focus
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InterviewsTortilla pushes ahead with dual-partnership delivery approach
CFO Maria Denny told MCA’s Restaurant Conference that the group has seen an expected decline in delivery volumes but is building a more “aligned approach” to drive profitability
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ArticleDECEMBER 2024 edition
MCA’s December edition features in-depth analysis and commentary on the eating and drinking out sector. This month, we deep-dive into the first Labour Budget in nearly 15 years, compiling thoughts from operators across the sector on mitigating its impact. Elsewhere, Simon Brooke explores partnerships between casual dining brands and supermarkets, while Egg Soldiers’ Tom Gatehouse looks into the benefits and longevity of viral food trends. The edition also includes interviews with The Revel Collective’s Rob Pitcher on a new era for the pub and bar group, plus Pizza Pilgrims’ Thom Elliot on growth opportunities both domestic and overseas. Lumina Intelligence’s Flora Zwolinski shares her thoughts on what consumers want from hospitality, while industry commentators Peter Martin, Dominic Walsh, and David Read reflect on sector issues such as tech-driven growth, Starbucks’ woes, and the Budget. The edition also features highlights from MCA’s recent Hostech and Restaurant conferences, with exclusive insights from the likes of Five Guys, Fulham Shore, and PizzaExpress.
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Analysis & InsightRise in US-style tip prompts
The number of hospitlaity businesses asking for tips on their card machines has increased by 78% in the last two years, but the average tip given has stayed bradly flat
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Analysis & InsightDrinks sales back in the red after weather turns
Drinks sales in Britain’s pubs, bars and restaurants are lagging last year’s levels as Christmas trading nears, CGA by NIQ’s Daily Drinks Tracker shows
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NewsGail’s plans 30-40 sites in 2025
The bakery chain is targeting sales of £300m next year, as it reportedly gears up for a sale
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NewsEG on the Move eyes Applegreen UK takeover
Zuber Issa’s petrol fourcourt and foodservice business, which was carved out from EG Group, is looking to add 100 new sites with backing from Rabobank
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Weekend PressMore Loungers shareholders oppose £338m deal
Fund manager Downing, which has a 1.5% stake in Loungers, said it was “absolutely furious” about the proposed deal, while Gresham House said it would use its near 4% stake in the company stake to “vote against this transaction”