All articles by Finn Scott-Delany
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OpinionTop chef’s astonishment over pub’s rateable values
One of Britain’s most acclaimed chefs, and owner of a growing colleciton of premium pubs in Yorkshire, Tommy Banks is one of many operators who have been left gobsmacked by new business rates bills which appear to penalise their success
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OpinionBusiness rates changes ‘gaslighting at its worst’
Promising to level the playing field with online giants, the government’s new business rates plan is leaving many hospitality operators facing material increases in their tax burden
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Analysis & InsightBudget reaction: ‘Our only option is to look for growth overseas’
The entrepreneur behind Fallow cautioned that expanding in the UK was ‘simply not worth the cost’ under the current tax regime, while Markus Thesleff warned investors were deserting the UK
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OpinionDid Andrew Rennie talk himself out of a job?
The Domino’s Pizza Group CEO abruptly departed after overseeing a period of challenged trading and sliding share price, the failure to acquire a second brand, and a regrettable interview where he appeared to suggest there was little growth left in the pizza market
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OpinionDownbeat assessment of a government ‘that’s throttling us’
Describing the restaurant trade as simply “not great fun” right now, senior leaders spoke of a deterioration in trade which in some dayparts bordered on “catastrophic”
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OpinionTrouble at the top
A war of words is brewing between two of the premium restaurant sector’s top CEOs, whose musical chairs seem to have contributed to a growing sense of acrimony
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NewsBritvic acquisition delivers strong growth for Carlsberg despite difficult market
The Danish brewer reported volume growth of 16.2%, and organic volume development -3.0% in its Q3 results
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NewsBurger King UK set to surpass $1bn in revenue
Restaurant Brands International praised the UK business, noting that the brand’s recent collaboration with Gordon Ramsay drove ’strong engagement and sales’, while the business has added more than $115m (£87.5m) in revenue over the last 12 months.
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NewsEvolv Collection acquires Vinoteca
The Evolv Collection has acquired London wine bar group Vinoteca. Both businesses are backed by Breal Capital, but Evolv confirmed to MCA that it was a normal cash acquisition rather than a portfolio restructure.
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OpinionPizza Hut Restaurants’ slow slide into irrelevance
Shifting consumer preferences, increased competition, and an uninspiring product were no doubt factors in the brand’s latest round of closures, even if being fashionable was never part of Pizza Hut’s ambition
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NewsEmployment Tribunal case could have ‘nuclear’ impact on sector
A case brought against The Big Table Group, which is now subject to appeal, unexpectedly found that tronc payments should be included in the calculation of workers’ holiday pay, with fears more staff could now come forward with similar claims
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NewsSimmons Bars acquired in pre-pack for £6m
Sixteen sites were acquired by founder Nick Campbell and Lonsdale Capital Partners, after the bar business suffered a downturn in trading and a loss of £2.85m in 2025
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NewsDomino’s profits slip by 15%
The pizza group blamed weak consumer confidence, higher costs of employment, and a tough comparison period for a slowdown in like-for-like sales and new openings
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NewsStarbucks sees ‘continued momentum’ in the UK
Comparable sales are in the low single digits, driven by a focus on service, beverage consistency, food innovation and labour investments to support peak operating hours, according to CEO Brian Niccol
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NewsOakman enters administration with six closures
Following the sale of 13 sites to Upham Group, PwC has confirmed it has been appointed administrator of Oakman Inns & Restaurants Limited, with six trading sites closing with immediate effect
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NewsBrewDog to close 10 bars as it rationalises estate
The craft beer brand is closing ten bars which have “no realistic prospect of becoming commerically viable”. BrewDog will instead focus on large-footprint destination venues and smaller community bars
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OpinionHonest Burgers and the revolving CEOs
A survivor of the burger restaurant specialists, Honest has ambitions to quadruple its estate and roll out a QSR smashburger spin-off. But is its difficulty in keeping hold of its CEOs holding back its expansion ambitions?
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NewsHonest Burgers appoints new CEO
Former CFO and interim CEO Matt Brandon is stepping up to lead the brand, following the departure of Kevin Styles after just six months in charge
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InterviewsLoungers: ‘We’d never rule out an acquisition’
In part two of a Q&A at MCA’s Pub Conference, executive chairman Alex Reilley discusses Cosy Club stepping out of the shadow of Lounges, franchise opportunities in airports, and whether the group could acquire a fourth brand
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InterviewsKricket: ‘You’re only ever one site away from disaster’
As modern Indian restaurant group Kricket prepares to mark its tenth anniversary, co-founder Rik Campbell discusses the latest opening in Shoreditch, the shifting consumer demographics of London, and the potential for international expansion