All MCA Insight articles in February 2026 – Page 6
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InterviewsGaucho: ‘Very soon we’ll be in double-digit growth’
CEO Baton Berisha is evolving the restaurant group’s offering away from its core Argentinian-inspired steakhouse group towards a more accessible South American and Latin influence, he tells MCA
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NewsMcDonald’s UK beats quarterly sales plan with strong Q4
The fast food giant closed 2025 with one of its strongest quarters in recent years, delivering 8.5% comparable sales growth in Q4 and more than 10% sales growth in the marketplace
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NewsChancellor urged to scrap holiday tax
200 hospitality and leisure operators, including Whitbread, Merlin Entertainments, and Parkdean Resorts, have warned the proposed Visitor Levy will cause significant damage
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NewsInnis & Gunn founder: ‘Pubs shouldn’t be treated like a cash machine’
Dougal Sharp, who has worked in the industry for 40 years, said the situation for pubs is the worst he’s ever seen and warned £10 pints could become the norm
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Analysis & InsightHow hospitality is embracing employees with learning disabilities
Brands such as Chopstix and Pizza Pilgrims have been working to offer some of the 1.3 million people in England with learning disabilities meaningful employment. MCA explores the barriers those with additional needs face, and the benefits of more inclusive and supportive hiring practices
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NewsHeineken to cut 6,000 jobs
The Dutch brewer will cut thousands of both brewing and white-collar roles - amounting to 7% of its global headcount - due to declining demand for beer
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NewsLeon made losses of £60m under EG/Asda
The healthy fast food brand has been forced to close 22 loss-making sites since co-founder John Vincent re-acquired the business, with administrators planning to implement a CVA process
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OpinionStop trying to nail jelly to the wall with our food system
David Read, chairman of Prestige Purchasing questions whether the current government will succeed with its plans for systemic change in our food system
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NewsPunch Finance issues £50m in additional notes
The funds will support Punch’s focus on acquiring pubs, investing in its estate and supporting its publicans and management partners
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NewsTreasury: Pub sector underestimated end of Covid rates relief
The Treasury minister behind the controversial business rates overhaul has suggested pub operators and industry bodies did not fully appreciate that pandemic-era subsidies were coming to an end
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NewsAngela Rayner: Government must engage and listen to the sector
Labour leadership potential challengers Angela Rayner and Andy Burnham have criticised the government’s tax policies for putting hospitality businesses under pressure
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InterviewsCornish Bakery success ‘shows how far the brand has come’
The independent operator’s RISE concept represents a natural evolution of the brand, which has identified 400 potential locations for expansion across the country, MD Mat Finch tells MCA
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NewsInternational continues to drive growth at RBI
The owner of Burger King, Tim Hortons and Popeyes, Restaurant Brands International achieved 6.1% like-for-like sales growth in Q4.
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NewsOpenings of the week
MCA rounds up the week’s biggest openings stories, featuring Blacklock, The Salad Project, Afrikana, Loungers, and more
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NewsCoffee#1 achieves uplift in lfls as expansion continues
The regional coffee brand, owned by The Nero Group, reported a 3.6% increase in like-for-like sales during the year ended May 2025, driven by an uplift in spend per head.
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InterviewsCastle Pubs: ‘What we’re seeing is our guests very much still want to go out’
Operations director Dan Barnett tells MCA that trading across the M&B-owned pub group’s estate has been ‘encouraging’ with an ongoing refurbishment programme driving stronger sales in the long term
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NewsMcDonald’s joins MCA’s Food to Go Conference
The 5 March event now features an exclusive Q&A with McDonald’s UK chief restaurant officer Patrick Gerber, who will share insights into the brand’s plan to stay on top, its big bets for 2026, and how customer experience remains king at the Golden arches. Book your tickets here today.
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NewsMission Mars to relaunch Albert’s Schenke as Schiller’s Hall
The brand overhaul will the Bavarian cook haus and bier tavern concept relaunch as a neighbourhood-style bar and bistro with pan European influences
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Analysis & InsightInvestors cheer salud! to return of Tortilla founder
Brandon Stephens has stepped back into the CEO role at Tortilla with a powerhouse team of hospitality leaders, where he will be looking to build on early European forays into France, improve its food offer, and build a refreshed brand that resonates with a contemporary consumer
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NewsLabour under pressure to review ‘flawed’ business rates system
Treasury minister Dan Tomlinson has ‘acknowledged concerns’ about the valuation process and promised a ‘review of the methodology’ - but the government will not change it until the next three-yearly revaluation in 2029