All articles by Georgi Gyton
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InterviewsAI in hospitality: What’s moving the dial
From kitchen optimisation and improved loyalty mechanisms to smarter reporting – Wagamama and Heartwood Collection share how they are using AI to enhance their operations
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NewsKricket partners with FAB Group for Middle East expansion
The modern Indian restaurant is to open its first international restaurant next month, in Dubai’s Vida Emirates Hills, following its partnership with Dubai-based FAB Group – a subsidiary of DEAL Holdings, with further openings expected in the Middle East.
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NewsCaravan partners with Sodexo Live!
The deal will see Caravan’s coffee blends introduced across Sodexo Live’s portfolio of venues, beginning at Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground before extending across 12 major stadia and destination venues
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NewsLate night operators have ‘nowhere left’ to pass on cost pressures
The ability of nightlife businesses to recover rising operating costs through higher consumer prices is becoming increasingly constrained as consumer hit “affordability ceiling”, the Night Time Industries Association has warned.
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NewsC&C reports revenue decline but profit up year-on-year
The drinks group reported a 3% decline in net revenue due to a decline in distribution as some lower-margin customer business was exited as planned, however growth was achieved across its branded drinks division, which includes Tennent’s and Bulmers.
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Analysis & InsightFrom buckets to beverages: KFC’s Kwench range is a ‘big bet on the future’
Encouraging consumers to ‘come for the drinks and stay for the chicken’ is not something that is going to happen overnight, but KFC is “in it for the long haul”, Leo Sloley, strategy and innovation director at KFC UK&I told MCA’s Innovation Conference.
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NewsBlack Sheep Coffee reports positive EBITDA
Having just filed its accounts for FY25, co-founder Gabriel Shohet shared that after 12 years of making million pound losses every year, it achieved a positive EBITDA of around $1m last year, with levels forecast to rise in FY26.
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Analysis & InsightTraditional puddings look to be undergoing revival
Younger diners are driving the trend, many of whom have discovered dishes such as sticky toffee pudding and fruit crumble on TikTok and Instagram, rather than home cooking, The Times has reported.
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NewsCalls for minimum wage freeze to boost job creation
Berenberg has said that up to 100,000 new jobs could be created if minimum wage levels were kept at current levels, and that successful rises have done more harm than good.
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NewsOpenings of the week
MCA rounds up the latest opening stories this week, from Loungers’ international debut, to Flight Club’s latest UK venue and a new Bat & Ball location for Urban Pubs & Bars
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InterviewsYO! ‘We are confident there is significant headroom for further expansion’
The sushi brand tells MCA it’s had an “incredibly encouraging” performance over the past year – particularly across its retail kiosk estate – and is exploring further opportunities with existing and prospective retail partners
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Analysis & InsightDestination dining: Hotel F&B returns to centre stage
Hotel restaurants and bars used to be ‘the’ place to go for a meal out or a business meeting over coffee, but competition from high street eateries and pressure to focus on achieving greater profits from rooms saw their relevance subside. Now, they are making a comeback, with F&B increasingly the hero of the hotel.
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Analysis & InsightHospitality and leisure spend up last month
The overall eating and drinking out category saw spend growth of 2.4%, with restaurants, cafes and bakeries achieving a 2.1% uplift, and pubs, bars and clubs seeing a 3.8% rise – marking their fourth consecutive month of growth, according to Barclays’ latest Consumer Spend Report.
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NewsIsobel Childs departs Black Sheep Coffee
Chief growth officer Isobel Childs has left her role at Black Sheep Coffee, following eight years at the business. The coffee shop chain recently opened its first drive-thru in Blackburn and is continuing to expand in the UK and overseas.
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NewsWhitbread sees accommodation sales up 3% in UK & Ireland
Adjusted profit before tax was down 9% to £287m in the 26 weeks to 27 August 2026, reflecting a strong trading performance in the UK & Ireland and Germany, offset by temporary transition costs associated with its extended Accelerating Growth Plan, the Premier Inn operator said.
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InterviewsPopeyes: ‘We continue to see strong engagement across our established restaurants’
With a strong underlying sales performance and continued brand hype, Popeyes has moved beyond its status as a new entrant to the UK market, CEO Tom Crowley tells MCA.
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NewsKFC franchisee The Adil Group acquires 22 restaurants
Acquired from former franchisee First Rate the package of sites comprises drive-thrus, small box sites and traditional restaurants across the North West of England, and align with Adil’s goal to grow its KFC business by 20% over the next five years.
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NewsMarston’s delivering third consecutive year of ‘significant’ profit growth
The pub company said that its new pub formats were now “a proven engine of growth”, with its Grandstand sports bar model “the standout performer”.
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NewsStarbucks Corporation linked to takeover of Chipotle
The global coffee chain has worked with advisers in recent months on a takeover proposal for US burrito chain Chipotle, with the latter attracting a nearly $39bn market value, the FT has reported.
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NewsNew World Trading Company appoints new people director
Sam Beech has been promoted from his role as head of people. He will lead NWTC’s people function as the restaurant and bar operator builds on record trading last winter with an expanded seasonal offering.