Shwetali Sapte
Shwetali joined MCA as senior news and finance reporter in March 2022.
Contact info
- Tel:
- +44 (0)1293 846578
- Email:
- Shwetali.sapte@mca-insight.com
- News
Wendy’s aims for 400 UK restaurants
The fast food chain expects to have up to 50 sites by the end of the year, with the UK serving as a ‘key strategic market’, according to CEO Kirk Tanner
- News
Openings of the week
MCA rounds up this week’s biggest openings stories, featuring Wagamama, Ecti Mehmet, Greene King’s 50th Hive pub, and more
- Analysis & Insight
Wagamama goes back to its roots for new summer menu
The new menu leans heavily into lesser known Japanese-inspired dishes, as well as featuring on-trend ingredients like yuzu throughout while playing with textures
- Longreads
Mass market meets speciality: the rise of the challenger coffee shop brands
In the latest in a series of immersive, innovation-focused long reads, MCA explores how an emerging generation of upscale coffee shop operators are looking to reshape the mainstream market
- News
Starbucks sees sales dip
The coffee giant, which revealed plans earlier this year to open a further 100 stores in the UK, has reported a 4% decline in global comparable sales in Q2
- News
City Pub Group sees 20% uplift in like-for-likes
The group, which was acquired by Young’s in a deal completed earlier this year, reported total group revenue of £74.5m in 2023 and a ’fantastic’ sales performance over the festive period
- News
Revolution confirms ‘exploratory’ meeting with Nightcap
Revolution confirmed the group has explored a range of possible transactions, following a Sky News report that claimed both Rekom and Nightcap have expressed interest
- Interviews
BabaBoom: ‘It’s a good time to take the brand to the market’
MD Graham Ford speaks to MCA about the sales process and the scalability of the QSR format, as the Eve Bugler-founded kebab concept looks for a buyer
- News
Yum! Brands trialling more than 40 AI initiatives
The group has reported a 1% decline in KFC UK sales but continues to see opportunity for more than 50,000 restaurants globally, as it looks to become the ’leading digital restaurant company’
- News
The Coffee House secures £4m investment
The Northwest-based coffee shop operator, which plans to scale to over 30 sites within the next 12 months, has secured an investment from AJ Bell founder Andy Bell
- News
Mowgli reports 15% growth in sales
The Nisha Katona-led Indian restaurant group grew sales to £30.9m, as it looks to continue expanding in the UK and go international further down the line
- News
Just Eat: Delivery becoming ‘entrenched’ among younger consumers
The delivery company has seen a boost during the breakfast and lunch day parts, and now has 1 million people using the platform for groceries, according to UK MD Claire Pointon
- News
RBI: Popeyes ‘still early’ in its journey
Restaurant Brands International also revealed its ‘Reclaim the Flame’ plan has driven strong results for Burger King
- News
McDonald’s: ‘Headwinds more significant than anticipated’
The fast food giant expects ‘moderated’ top line growth this year, but continues to invest in its loyalty scheme, a new and more ‘satiating’ burger, as well as the rollout of beverage-led concept CosMc’s
- News
Chicken Shop aims for 70 sites
The Sir Charles Dunstone-backed business, which rebranded from Chik’n in 2022 following a partnership with Soho House Group, already has 14 sites in the pipeline, according to CEO John Nelson
- News
Hostmore temporarily suspends listing
The TGI Fridays operator has requested its ordinary shares to be suspended from the London Stock Exchange, pending publication of its annual report
- News
In pictures: Comptoir Libanais partners with Harrison for Southbank venue
The Lebanese-inspired restaurant group will open its 20th site in London this spring
- Analysis & Insight
Consumers lean towards days out over nights out
Hospitality venues have seen an increase of £134m in spend during the afternoon compared to night time, according to payment technology provider Dojo
- News
Inquiry launched into hospitality staffing challenges
An All-Party Parliamentary Group inquiry into recruitment and retention has been launched to explore the reasons behind high vacancy rates, ask what more the sector can do, and make recommendations to government
- Interviews
Loungers: ‘The intention is to carry on opening 35 sites a year’
The all-day concept has seen sales growth across day parts and categories as it looks to maintain its current rate of expansion, CEO Nick Collins tells MCA