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All MCA Insight articles in February 2024 – Page 5
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InterviewsGail’s: Building craft at scale has forced ingenuity
Gail’s head of e-commerce, Rosie Hill explores how the bakery brand identifies as a “craft” business whilst also making room for innovation and technology, as it continues to grow at scale.
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Analysis & InsightPost-Christmas frugality dampens eating out spend
Participation in the eating and drinking out market dropped 1.3ppts in January 2024, also due to stormy weather and a tough comparison year, according to Lumina Intelligence
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Analysis & InsightBusinesses running out of cash
A quarter of hospitality businesses have no cash reserves and a further 29% have less than three months’ worth, according to a new survey
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NewsPunch Pubs reports growth across all divisions
The pub company has identified 70 new pubs in its leased & tenanted estate it will look to convert to its management partnership model over the next three years
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NewsRekom UK sold for £19.5m in pre-pack
Just one offer was received for the group of companies from a connected party, after it was established that no new investment was available from existing shareholders or secured creditors
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NewsHow a taste for cheap chicken is transforming Britain
A boom in poultry farming has been blamed for housebuilding delays and turning rivers green, The Telegraph reports
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Analysis & InsightWhy Britain’s brewers are in crisis — and your pint is costing more
Covid lockdowns hit brewers and pub operators especially hard. Throw in the minimum wage rise and many businesses face closure unless something changes, The Sunday Times reports
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NewsPret cuts prices of best-selling sandwiches
The food to go chain has knocked up to £1 off cost of six products including tuna baguette and cheese toastie, The Telegraph reports
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Analysis & InsightThe most popular Michelin ingredients
Culinary stars have paid tribute to the versatile apple, with its different varieties shining in both sweet and savoury dishes, The Sunday Times reports
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Analysis & InsightFood to Go market outpaces pre-pandemic value
The channel is forecast to see strong net space growth, driven by the expansion of travel hub, drive-thru and kiosk-style services, according to data from Lumina Intelligence
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NewsGiles Coren names GDK ’worst restaurant in the world’
Writing in The Times, the acerbic restaurant critic panned German Doner Kebab as “utterly hideous”
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InterviewsRekom UK: ‘The future looks a lot better’
Chairman Peter Marks speaks to MCA about the ‘perfect storm’ that led to Rekom’s second restructure in three years, emphasising that the closure of 16 lossmaking sites has left the business with a more profitable set of party bars that are trading ‘phenomenally well’
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NewsPortobello Starboard like-for-like sales ahead of market
The South East based pub and hotel business reports above budget returns from recently invested sites helped it exceed targeted EBITDA
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NewsGreene King to launch new pub franchise concept
Nest Pubs will be wet-led pubs located on high streets and communities, with regular sport and entertainment, and a simple pizza offer
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OpinionCare and attention: there’s no silver bullet
People don’t come cheap any more - so you’d better pay attention and look after them, Peter Martin writes
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NewsOpenings of the week
MCA rounds up the week’s biggest openings stories, including Cubitt House, Heartwood Collection, Gino D’Acampo, German Doner Kebab and more
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NewsCosta Coffee increases pay rate by 9%
The starting rate for baristas will rise to £12 per hour, from £10.70, with employees set to receive a pay rise from 1 April 2024
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News
Oakberry Açaí plans 16 site openings in 2024
The international açaí brand will target a mixture of equity and franchisee locations across the UK, after making its London debut last summer.
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InterviewsVapiano: ‘We’ve had an incredibly strong 2023’
The Italian restaurant group is targeting further expansion in London and beyond as it launches a new loyalty scheme, global marketing director Vikki O’Neill tells MCA
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NewsWendy’s: ‘We’ve seen real momentum in the UK’
CEO Kirk Tanner says the fast-food brand’s quality differentiation is resonating with UK consumers, giving him confidence to grow the market and create a springboard into Europe.