All MCA Insight articles in February 2026 – Page 8
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NewsTRG explores sales of Concessions division
Bankers at Lazard are understood to be assessing prospective buyers for the 40-plus unit division, which operates from major transport hubs such as Heathrow and Gatwick Airport
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NewsBlack Sheep Coffee signs 20-site Texas deal
The agreement has been signed with Yoloway’s – an established UK franchise partner, and is one of the coffee shop business’ most significant international franchise agreements to date, it said
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NewsGovernment considers ditching minimum wage pledge
Labour ministers are considering ditching the party’s manifesto pledge to pay young people the same national minimum wage as older workers, amid record youth employment figures
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NewsLuke Johnson warns of ‘disconnect’ between government and businesses
The sector investor told the BBC that the mood among UK employments is the “darkest” he’s ever seen, criticising the government for making it more “expensive and risky to employ people”
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InterviewsBoxpark: ‘You’re more likely to see us do deals internationally than the UK’
CEO Matt Snell says with a stagnant home economy, he is focussing on the turnaround of Boxpark’s core business, as well as lucrative event pop-ups and international opportunities, after walking away from sites in Bristol and Birmingham
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InterviewsCooks Coffee: ‘Matcha is no longer a fad’
The Esquires Coffee owner says it has made various changes to appeal to younger Gen Z consumers, as well as Millennials, through embracing new technologies and introducing more health-conscious menus
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NewsPrue Freeman speaks out over parks row
The Daisy Green founder has defended her company’s takeover of three North London cafe, saying it was not a ’David & Goliath’ situaiton
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NewsTourist tax ‘the wrong policy at the worst possible time’
A government consultation on proposals to give Mayors powers to to introduce overnight visitor levies in England closed yesterday
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Analysis & InsightExpresso: How the self-service coffee category is evolving
Costa Express has long held a monopoly in the self-service coffee machine space, but now the likes of Illy and disrupters such as Unity Coffee are challenging the status quo
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Analysis & InsightChicken continues to take centre stage in menu innovation
The chicken boom is still surging in QSR, with restaurants and pubs catching up by introducing more comfort-led, broadly appealing core dishes, according to Lumina Intelligence
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Analysis & InsightHospitality groups see sales flatten in January as consumers tighten their belts
The latest NIQ RSM Hospitality Business Tracker shows sales across managed restaurant, pub and bar groups were 0.1% lower than the same month last year
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Analysis & InsightFood to go brands tap into the psychology of the meal deal
Brands that traditionally sat well outside the meal deal category have cottoned on to the psychology behind this quintessential part of British office work culture. MCA explores how foodservice is competing on value and catching up to retail
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NewsRed Engine exploring opportunities for European expansion
Co-founder and chief executive Steve Moore tells MCA there’s plenty of opportunity for the Flight Club and Electric Shuffle owner on the Continent as it looks to grow its global estate
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NewsOpenings of the week
MCA rounds up the week’s biggest openings stories, featuring Wetherspoon’s plans for Shaftesbury Avenue, rapper Professor Green’s fast food venture, Megan’s launch in Windsor, and more
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NewsFSB warns small businesses face ‘perfect storm’ in April
The lobby group says 35% of small employers are planning to close their operations or reduce output as combination of higher costs arrives
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Analysis & InsightLate-night venues fell by 4.1% in 2025
New findings from the NTIA Night Time Economy Market Monitor show that 2025 marked a ‘critical breaking point’ for the segment with closures continuing to accelerate
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NewsCosta boosts staff wages and invests £1.5m to drive further Welsh expansion
The coffee giant will increase pay for team members across its 1,500 UK company-owned stores in April with baristas set to benefit from a 4.1% rise
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NewsLeading QSR and casual dining brands join forces to launch Sustainable Chicken Forum
The new cross-industry initiative is designed to drive further improvements in chicken welfare while balancing sustainability, net zero ambitions and long-term supply resilience
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NewsArdent Pub Group achieves B Corp status
The three-strong premium pubs business has become the latest in a growing number of UK hospitality groups to receive the accreditation
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NewsHeavitree ‘rides out the storm’ to deliver satisfactory results
None of the cost pressures felt by its tenants and leaseholders operating its pubs have gone away, chairman Nicholas Tucker said. “In fact, the list has been added to following the November Budget.”