All MCA Insight articles in February 2025
View all stories from this issue.
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NewsArslan Sharif leaves PizzaExpress
MCA understands the CTO’s departure is part of a restructure to make the business more agile, with chief commercial officer Chris Holmes to lead customer, marketing, digital and loyalty
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InterviewsZuber Issa: For EG’s Man on the Move, ‘it’s time to get back to basics’
Having ‘changed the forecourt sector for the better’ with EG, and learning from the ‘beast’ that is Asda, Zuber Issa is turning his focus to EG On The Move
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Analysis & InsightHospitality growth continues to lag inflation
Sales in the first four weeks of 2024 were down 0.3% year-on-year, while early data for February shows a “somewhat sluggish” performance, according to Hospitality Data Insights
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NewsPapa Johns UK comparable sales return to growth
CFO Ravi Thanawala said a consumer-centric approach, combined with menu innovation and a refreshed loyalty scheme, has helped drive 2% growth in comparable sales
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NewsUber Eats: No impact expected on workforce supply
The delivery service said it continues to operate as usual despite a crackdown on undocumented workers, causing thousands of rider accounts to be blocked by the platform
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NewsStar Pubs to add 30 operator managed pubs in 2025
The pub company’s Just Add Talent model is performing well with over 30% of applications for JAT pubs, Star operations director Mick Howard tells MCA
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InterviewsHeartwood Collection targeting larger sites in refocused strategy
The premium operator is zeroing in on larger sites with rooms rather than standalone pubs, with several 50+ bedroom venues already lined up to open next year, CEO Richard Ferrier tells MCA
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NewsOpenings of the week
MCA rounds up this week’s biggest openings stories, including Loungers, Gail’s, Afrikana and more
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NewsTRG Concessions opens record airport site at Luton
Sanfords American Diner & Loft Bar is the largest restaurant and bar concet in any UK airport at 12,810 sq ft, two floors and 480 covers
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NewsGordon Ramsay: Every restaurant heavyweight was desperate for 22 Bishopsgate
The chef-restaurateur has invested a substantial amount of his own money in the four-floor multi-restaurant project, which he put in excess of £20m
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News'No consensus' to retain relaxed outside drinking licensing
The outcome of consultation on ‘Alcohol in licensed pavement areas’ is due to be published in the next few days
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NewsPizzaExpress restructures central support team
Around 50 people have been made redundant at the casual dining operator, which the company described as a “difficult decision… to ensure we can address current economic conditions”
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OpinionStop kicking the can down the road on AI
Hospitality is changing and needs to adapt. Harnessing technology and the promise of AI is going to be fundamental in navigating that shift, writes Peter Martin
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NewsMartin Williams to lead Evolv Collection
The former Rare Restaurants CEO has been named as the chief executive of the group formerly known as D&D London, following the departure of co-founder David Loewi at the end of last year
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NewsEG Group announces strong Q4 performance
The Blackburn-based group’s European business grew underlying EBITDA by 19% in Q4, while a price-focused strategy in Foodservice resulted in gross profit rising 5%
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NewsJoe & the Juice appoints Jodie Bruffett as US managing director
Bruffett joins the brand from Pret A Manger, and has been tasked with growing the juice chain’s 66-strong presence in the US
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NewsRoark Capital to acquire Dave’s Hot Chicken
The private equity firm, which acquired Subway last year, has reportedly signed a deal to acquired Dave’s for roughly $1bn (£800m)
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NewsSacha Lord releases new report ahead of Spring Statement
The chair of the Night Time Industries Association has called for six key interventions to give the hospitality sector “a fighting chance”
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InterviewsUrban Baristas targets 30 stores as franchising fuels growth
The Australian-style coffee specialist is set to expand in 2025, with plans to grow its network to over 30 stores by the end of the year, following a strong first year of franchising
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Analysis & InsightFinding efficiencies through back-of-house tech & automation
Operators should focus on simple, tested, and scalable tech to drive efficiency and reduce operational costs, writes Vita Mojo’s Boris Popovschi