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All MCA Insight articles in February 2024
View all stories from this issue.
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NewsCoffee#1 sees double-digit sales growth
Iced coffee has established itself as a growth driver for the Nero Group-owned coffee shop chain, which reports £54m in sales as it continues expanding its 118-strong estate
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NewsToca Social to launch second site in Birmingham
The immersive football and dining experience has announced it will be launching its second UK site in Birmingham’s Bullring from June 2024.
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InterviewsCornish Bakery: ‘We see more opportunities than obstacles’
The 60-strong bakery company’s strategy is to build a bigger business that thinks and feels like an independent, with a pipeline of ten additional openings scheduled for 2024.
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NewsOpenings of the week
MCA rounds up the week’s biggest openings stories, including Roxy Leisure, JW Lees, Bewiched, CUPP and more
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NewsWendy’s backtracks after ‘surge pricing’ uproar
The burger chain said reports it was planning to raise prices for customers using Uber-style surge pricing were “misconstrued”
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NewsHospitality skills passport can ‘revolutionise’ recruitment
The pilot initiative promises to create a universal entry standard for hospitality, giving employers confidence new starters are competent across a wide variety of skills, UKHospitality’s Workforce and Skills event heard yesterday
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NewsAmy Lamé hits back at critics
The night czar cited her role in protecting nightclubs from closure, but also claimed a part in helping save G-A-Y, which permanently closed its doors in December 2023
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NewsHelen Charlesworth to leave Stonegate
The managing director of Stonegate’s managed business said the time was right to allow a “fresh vision” for the division
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NewsBurger King, Stonegate and more call for action ahead of Spring Budget
UKHospitality, along with 112 businesses from across the sector, have signed an open letter urging the Chancellor to take action to prevent further business failure
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NewsKFC releases first ever nutrition progress update
The report, which will be repeated on an annual basis, tracks the steps the fast food giant is taking to improve nutrition and reduce calories and sugar across its menu
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NewsDishoom sees record staff retention
Managing director Brian Trollip said the brand is experiencing its lowest ever staff turnover, and explains how nurturing a culture based on strong values is creating a more engaged workforce.
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NewsGovernment ‘committed to filling vacancies in hospitality’
Minister for Employment Jo Churchill discussed the work the Department for Work and Pensions has been undertaking to tackle labour issues across the sector
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NewsHarrison unveils Bar Tap at Wembley Stadium
The self-service “frictionless” bar opened for the Carabao Cup final, with a promise to customers of speed and convenience when buying drinks
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Analysis & InsightOver 500 restaurants closed in Q4 2023
UK restaurant closures hit their highest ever quarterly figure at the end of 2023, with c514 restaurant businesses permanently closing in the final quarter, according to Price Bailey
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NewsLuke Johnson takes a stake in Tortilla
The serial investor has snapped up 3.6% worth of shares in the fast-casual concept, valued at around £682,200
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NewsBreal rebrands to Keystone Brewing Group
The London-based funding and advisory services group, which acquired businesses including Vinoteca and Black Sheep Brewery last year, is planning to acquire more distressed breweries as part of a plan to grow sales fourfold to £100m by 2028
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InterviewsBrasseria Family eyes ‘iconic’ London neighbourhoods
The all-day Italian “brasseria” concept has raised over £1.2m through crowdfunding to open a third site in South Kensington and sees potential for at least five to six sites in the capital, according to co-founder Alberto Fraquelli.
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NewsBP launches made-to-order breakfast and lunch offer
BP has launched a new ’food for now’ concept, offering freshly made breakfast and lunch options with seating areas, following a trial at two stores last year
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InterviewsMcMullen’s: ‘There has been a continued positive buzz in the capital’
The Hertfordshire-based pub operator will focus future acquisitions on trading pubs and hotels in London and prime Southeast locations and reports buoyant trading in the capital as tourism and Christmas parties returned in recent months.
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NewsJames Gould-Porter joins Bangers London
The Island Poke founder joins the breakfast concept as it prepares to open its first bricks and mortar location in Shoreditch