All MCA Insight articles in February 2024 – Page 10
-
NewsJeremy Hunt review ‘set to end tourist tax’
The chancellor has asked the Office for Budget Responsibility to look at whether the scrapping of VAT-free shopping for tourists should be reversed, The Sunday Times reports
-
NewsBlank Street Coffee auditors warn account figures may be ‘misstated’
The note comes as filings show the chain made a £2.9m loss in its first six months in the UK, the Evening Standard reports
-
News‘Cheeky’ Nando’s increases some prices by up to almost third
The chicken chain has increased its prices to the point where many no longer see the family favourite as an affordable option, The Mirror reports
-
NewsOpenings of the week
MCA rounds up the week’s biggest openings stories, including McDonald’s, Slim Chickens, Banana Tree, Taco Bell, and more
-
Analysis & InsightCould meat on the menu save the vegan fast food sector?
Plant-based QSR brands are struggling in a space once hailed as the next big thing. Now some are putting meat on the menu
-
InterviewsBoojum: ‘We’re confident the brand will resonate’
Founder David Maxwell speaks to MCA about the underpenetrated Mexican fast casual category and having a great partner in Azzurri Group as Boojum gears up for UK expansion
-
InterviewsGail’s Bakery: ‘We can provide a better alternative’
Founder and CEO Tom Molnar discusses the craft bakery’s three-pronged approach to sustainability and how its progressive ethos has been baked in since day one
-
NewsGrind achieves record annual sales
The London-based coffee company grew its high street sales by 25% in FY23, and said its coffee shops were back to trading above pre-pandemic levels as consumers return to the city
-
NewsRed Engine to open eight new venues in 2024
In the UK, Flight Club Oxford, Flight Club Liverpool and Electric Shuffle Manchester are forthcoming, with three in the US and two in Australia to open under franchise partners
-
NewsRekom UK closes 17 venues
Following a pre-pack deal, the company’s “strong core estate” comprises 23 venues, including 10 bars and 13 nightclubs, focusing on the strongest performing brands such as Heidi’s Bier Bar and Proud Mary
-
NewsHospitality operators raising prices by 7.1%
Operators are taking cost saving measures to protect their bottom lines, as the high cost of doing business has also led to decline in headcount and total hours worked
-
NewsUKHospitality appoints deputy CEO
Allen Simpson joins from London & Partners, the Mayor of London’s tourism, inward investment and city marketing agency, and has held roles at Barclays and the London Stock Exchange
-
NewsAccess Group acquires Wireless Social
The acquisition aims to provide greater customer insight and understanding of guest demographics, such as the tracking of ordering, time spent in the venue and frequency of visits
-
NewsThe Alchemist receives £15m loan from OakNorth
The loan will support the rollout of new sites and refinance existing debt, as the cocktail bar group looks to open 10 new sites over the next three year
-
NewsUrban Pubs & Bars poised for further growth
The London-based pub and dining group reported a 17% increase in like-for-like sales, having doubled the size of its business over the past two years
-
NewsGreg and Marie Marchand to close Frenchie
The duo will close their Covent Garden site after eight years, citing increasingly challenging trading conditions in London
-
NewsBrighton Pier Group to sell Coalition nightclub
The seafront nightclub will be sold as part of a simplification process to reduce the number of companies in Brighton Pier Group’s bars division
-
NewsMcWin: ‘The restaurant sector is remarkably resilient’
The private equity firm, which yesterday announced is acquisition of restaurant group Sticks’n’Sushi, said the deal has been ‘years in the making’
-
NewsVarious Eateries reports 12% revenue growth
The Coppa Club operator has reported a resilient performance in the year ended October 2023, with plans to open up to 10 Noci and three Coppa Club sites