All articles by Georgi Gyton – Page 14
-
Analysis & InsightGrowing polarisation in on-premise consumer behaviours
High costs and less disposable income remain the biggest hurdle for the 42% of on-premise consumers who are going out less. In contrast, one in five are going out more, data from CGA by NIQ has found.
-
NewsNeat closes remaining UK burger restaurants
The plant-based burger chain, backed by F1 racing champion Lewis Hamilton and actor Leonardo DiCaprio, had already closed half of its eight strong UK estate in 2023
-
NewsF1 champion Alonso buys stake in Sticks ‘n’ Sushi
The Spanish Formula 1 driver is understood to have secured a stake of more than 20% in the Danish-Japanese restaurant group, becoming one of five co-investors, alongside private equity backers McWin.
-
Analysis & Insight‘We will be a much smaller employer in the future’: The fallout from the Budget
Reduced hours and reined in expansion plans are just some of the ways operators are tackling the significant uplift in labour costs hitting their bottom line from this month. Featuring comments from Giggling Squid, JW Lees, Butcombe Group, and Wells & Co.
-
NewsPubs choosing to close early to save on costs
Thorley Taverns and WH Pubs are among operators who are calling last orders at 9pm in order to mitigate the impact of the extra labour costs which came into play this month.
-
NewsBusiness rates reform act receives Royal Assent
The potential for long-term business rates reform has edged one step closer after the Non-Domestic Rating (Multipliers and Private Schools) Act was passed into law in “landmark moment”.
-
NewsHostech boasts bumper line-up for 2025
Costa Coffee, Pizza Pilgrims, Pho, Turtle Bay, Comptoir and 200 Degrees join the line-up of panellists at MCA’s Hostech Conference next month
-
NewsStonegate launches The People’s Pub format
The move will see 220 pubs, previously grouped under Stonegate’s Proper Pubs format, brought together under a new consumer-facing brand, with a new food and drink menu launching today
-
NewsPuttshack and Topgolf founders to launch new venture
Poolhouse – the new competitive socialising concept from the Joliffe brothers – has secured $34m in funding from investors, with the first site to open near London Liverpool Street station later this year.
-
NewsPetition for cask beer to be recognised with Unesco status
The petition, supported by Camra and a number of major breweries, calls for British cask ale to be recognised with Unesco’s ’intangible cultural heritage’ status
-
NewsOakman founder steps away from business due to ill health
The group’s chief executive Peter Borg-Neal has stepped away from the business due to health reasons, with chairman John Leslie currently leading the business
-
NewsRockfish appoints new NEDs
Knoops’ CMO Romy Miller and Mindful Chef founder Robert Grieg-Gran have joined the board at the seafood restaurant group, following John Barnes’ departure.
-
InterviewsBrakspear: ‘We are trying to evolve what we do’
With two acquisitions announced this week, it’s an exciting time for the business, chief executive Tom Davies tells MCA
-
InterviewsMcDonald’s UK&I: ‘Innovation, growth and development continues to be priority’
The fast food chain remains focused on its goal to open 200 restaurants over the next four years as well as the ’reimaging’ of its UK & Ireland estate, McDonald’s’ new vice president, development, Mike Spencer tells MCA.
-
Analysis & InsightLunch grows its share of delivery occasions
The daypart has grown its share of delivery occasions by 1.9ppts, to 19.2%, in the 52 weeks to 16 March 2025, a new Lumina Intelligence report has found.
-
NewsMcDonald’s UK & Ireland appoints new vice president of development
Mike Spencer joined the fast food giant last month, and is responsible for the leadership of the development function, including construction, estate management and acquisitions.
-
Analysis & InsightFootfall down with restaurants recording the biggest drop
Restaurant footfall fell by nearly 8% across January and February 2025 compared with last year, while footfall at pubs fell by 6%, according to new data from Meaningful Vision.
-
NewsGong Cha announces record sales
The bubble tea brand achieved sales of $600m in the 52 weeks to 31 December 2024, with more than 240 new sites having opened last year. It recently signed a new franchise agreement to open an initial 225-plus UK stores.
-
NewsBlack Sheep Coffee continuing fast paced Scottish expansion
The West of Scotland franchise stores are being opened by Suhail Rehman and Tariq Din, as part of an agreement to open a double-digit number of sites over the next five years.
-
NewsSimon Emeny: NICs rise a ‘hammer blow’ to sector
The Fuller’s chief executive said he is frustrated by the “lack of joined-up thinking” by the government, and had been forced to review prices in the past week in response to rising business costs