All articles by Georgi Gyton – Page 16
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InterviewsLoungers deal ends years of frustration over share price
Management did “all we could” to boost the Lounge and Cosy Club operator’s standing on the public markets, but in the end its ‘take private’ deal with Fortress offered the best result for shareholders, chairman Alex Reilley tells MCA
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InterviewsHeavenly Desserts targeting at least 10 UK openings in 2025
Alongside its growth in the UK, the premium dessert cafe has seven sites due to open in Canada this year, as well as its first locations in Pakistan and Germany, managing director Yousif Aslam told MCA
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InterviewsIndividual Restaurants: ‘AI could be a gamechanger for us’
The 32-strong group is aiming to be a leader in the use of AI in hospitality, seeing technology and data as paramount to future success, CEO Andrew Garton tells MCA
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NewsMayor of London launches new Nightlife Taskforce
The taskforce, which includes UKHospitality’s Kate Nicholls and Night Time Industries Association’s Michael Kill, will look to address the challenges and opportunities for the capital’s nightlife
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InterviewsValiant Pub Co has capability to acquire ‘100 pubs a year’
Originally conceived under a wet-led, operator-managed model, Valiant has since expanded its horizons to include food and rooms. Co-founders Gerry Carroll and Mark McGinty tell MCA how they are “set up for growth” under an evolved model
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Analysis & InsightPornstar Martini remains nation’s favourite cocktail
Demand for cocktails looks set to continue to grow this year, with one in five consumers enjoying them, according to CGA by NIQ’s latest Mixed Drinks Report
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InterviewsUrban Pubs & Bars: ‘There is plenty to go for in London’
The Davidson Kempner and Global Mutual-backed pub and bar group is “super active in the acquisitions market” and is set up for growth, managing director Chris Hill tells MCA
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NewsNTIA brands 1p off pint a ‘laughable gesture’
Chief executive Michael Kill said the move failed to address the real financial pressures facing the hospitality and night time economy sectors.
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NewsTortilla secures new investor
The fast-casual Mexican restaurant group has announced that long-term backer Quilvest Capital Partners has sold its 20% stake to Auctor Group, as part of the winding down of its fund.
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NewsAdmiral Taverns sees profits up on last year
The community pub group reported an increase in underlying EBITDA for the year to 26 May 2024, to £59.7m, which it expects to exceed in the current financial year, supported by strong sales and investment in its estate.
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NewsGDK reveals ambition for 300 UK sites by 2030
The QSR kebab brand has extended its deal with Extra Motorway Services, and is actively looking for further opportunities with Network Rail following its opening at London’s Victoria last week, CEO Simon Wallis tells MCA
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InterviewsMoto’s Rising Star ‘is always developing herself and her team’
Catering director Vicki Appleton is visionary in her thinking and capable of a more substantial role, Moto’s people director Louise Hughes tells MCA in the last of our Rising Star finalist profiles, ahead of the MCA Hospitality Awards
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InterviewsIndividual Restaurants: ‘We are punching forward’
The restaurant group is to launch a new pizza concept in April and has its sights set on growing the Piccolino brand in the south, alongside international opportunities, chief executive Andrew Garton tells MCA
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InterviewsRosa’s Rising Star is ‘one of the best hires we’ve made’
The contribution of operations director Tom Cousins goes well beyond his job title, and he has the potential to go far, former CEO Gavin Adair tells MCA in the latest in a series of profiles on our Rising Star finalists ahead of the MCA Hospitality Awards
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NewsGDK makes move into travel hubs
German Doner Kebab has opened its first train station restaurant, in London’s Victoria station, with a further 25 sites planned to open in 2025.
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NewsAdmiral Taverns tops licensee sentiment tracker
The community pub group has improved its scores year-on-year, taking first place among the largest, national pub companies, with an overall score of 7.7 out of 10.
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Analysis & InsightAlmost half of young people have given up booze
Forty-three percent of 18 to 34-year-olds no longer drink alcohol, according to new survey data, with Britain’s growing Muslim population and “abstinence influencers”, changing the nation’s relationship with booze
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NewsDiageo denies sale of Guinness
Responding to reports of a rumoured sale over the weekend, the drinks manufacturer has said it has “no intention to sell” either Guinness or its stake in Moët Hennessy
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NewsPopeyes targeting a further +45 restaurant openings in 2025
The QSR brand, which achieved £150m in sales last year, is accelerating its medium target of 350 sites, with new openings planned in Birmingham, Leeds and Bristol among other major UK cities
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NewsUrban Pubs & Bars reports record EBITDA
The 53-strong pub and dining group reported a 26% increase in EBITDA, to £8.7m, for the year to 28 April 2024, versus the previous year, with further growth to be supported by new £30m banking facilities.