All articles by Georgi Gyton
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NewsCosta hits drive-thru milestone and plans for 40 more this year
Costa Coffee has expanded its UK drive-thru estate to 400 sites with the format now playing a central role in the evolution of its wider estate
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NewsDamp weather and consumer confidence boosts deliveries
Delivery sales increased by 4.7%, on a like-for-like basis, in February 2026, with restaurant groups having also benefited from extending their delivery offers and partnerships with third party platforms, according to the latest NIQ Hospitality at Home Tracker.
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Analysis & InsightHuman interaction increasingly important to great hospitality experiences
Almost half (48%) of those surveyed said human interaction was the most critical factor in having a great experience in a hospitality venue – a marked increase on previous years, a new report from Zonal has found.
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News‘Summer Streets’ hospitality fund returns to the capital
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has announced he will be making £400,000 available to councils to support local hospitality businesses to increase al fresco dining and extend opening hours.
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NewsBill’s teams up with viral food creator Poppy Cooks on menu collaboration
Known as the ‘potato queen’, Michelin-trained chef Poppy O’Toole has created three limited edition dishes that will launch in all 49 Bill’s restaurants next month, in celebration of its 25th anniversary
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Analysis & InsightHow Flat Iron achieved a significant reduction in staff turnover
The steak restaurant group has reduced its staff turnover by 50% over the past two years, after listening to team members’ calls for improved workplace benefits, head of people Gina Knight shares
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Analysis & InsightJP Morgan: Admiral Taverns touted as potential buyer of Stonegate pubs
As the fifth largest pub operator in the UK, and with acquisitive ambitions, Admiral may well be running the rule over Stonegate’s c1,000-strong Platimum porfolio, JP Morgan speculates
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NewsMeatLiquor appoints advisors
Founder Scott Collins told MCA that faced with the cost challenges of VAT, business rates, beef and energy costs, and the uncertainty caused by the war in the Iran, he was looking to “get ahead of things before we’re forced to”
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NewsMarket Halls secures £11m in funding
The UK food halls operator said the new funding from OakNorth will support the next phase of its national growth strategy, which includes the acquisition of additional sites.
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NewsFines to be imposed for late supplier payments
The government is expected to set out the new rules later today (24 March), which will see the 60-day time supplier payment limit become a mandatory requirement.
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NewsTiPJAR secures £4.5m in new investment
The round, led by YFM Equity Partners and advised by Mountside Ventures, will enable digital tipping platform to expand its team, further invest in its people, and accelerate product development as it scales
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NewsOn-trade remains challenging for Fever-Tree
Its UK on-trade revenue fell 9% in the full year to 31 December 2025, versus 2024, although the rate of decline eased in the second half, Fever-Tree reported.
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Analysis & InsightFood to go spend sees significant uplift
Average spend in the food to go sector has increased by 8.5%, driven by existing customers trading up to premium options, add-ons and higher basket values, rather than the sector expanding its market reach, Lumina Intelligence has found
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InterviewsLittle Door & Co: ‘We are looking outside London’
The experiential ‘house party’ bar group has two new openings lined up for 2026 as it looks to capitalise on the momentum in the business which is achieving like-for-like growth across its venues, co-founders Kamran Dehdashti and Jamie Hazeel tell MCA.
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NewsDomino’s announces senior team changes
Former Marston’s CEO and CFO Andrew Andrea has now assumed his role as CFO at the pizza delivery business, while CMO Sarah Barron has been promoted as part of Domino’s focus on achieving its FY26 strategic priorities.
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NewsPizzaExpress launches new weekday deals
From this week, the pizza restaurant business is now offering a new £10 Power Lunch and After School Club deal, featuring a selection of menu favourites for £5, which will be available at selected time from Monday to Friday.
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NewsMama Li: ‘I want to elevate Chinese cuisine’
Founder Catherine Hua is looking to capitalise on the demand for specialised Chinese cuisine outside the traditional confines of Chinatown, she tells MCA
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NewsGreene King announces new estate strategy
The restructure of its managed estate will see around 150 managed pubs converted to leased and tenanted or franchise, and around the same number evaluated for a potential sale. Separately, Zoe Bowley has decided to step down as managing director of Greene King Pubs
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InterviewsPapa Johns’ confident 2026 ‘will be one of our best years on record’
The pizza delivery brand’s UK sales have continued to gain momentum with the business recording 35 weeks of consecutive growth following the implementation of its turnaround plan in 2023, Chris Phylactou, managing director UK & Europe tells MCA.
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Analysis & InsightCACI: ‘Successful brands are turning excitement and loyalty into growth’
Speaking at MCA’s recent Food to Go Conference, Paul Langston shared sales and transaction data from the 30-plus brands that CACI tracks within the sector and reflected on what has driven their growth