All articles by Georgi Gyton – Page 16
-
InterviewsPizza Pilgrims’ Rising Star is ‘a force of positivity in the business’
Spearheading the development of its learning and comms platform and future leaders programme, Leanne Gunson deserves to be celebrated, co-founder Thom Elliott tells MCA, in the latest of a series of profiles on our Rising Star finalists, ahead of the MCA Hospitality Awards 2026.
-
NewsOpenings of the week
MCA rounds-up the latest openings stories, featuring Sandwich Sandwich’s first grab and go site, a new territory for Wingstop, and more…
-
NewsBill’s makes people and culture promotion
Lucy Craig joined the Ricard Caring-backed business in July last year as head of people and culture and has now been made a director.
-
NewsCaprinos Pizza reports 14% rise in like-for-likes
The 120-strong franchise pizza business, which is targeting 20 new site openings this year, said its results had been driven by successful multi-channel marketing campaigns, new product innovation, and growing brand loyalty.
-
NewsGreggs: ‘We continue to reassure our investors’
Commenting on pressure from activist investors to cut costs in order to avoid a potential private equity takeover, Greggs’ CEO Roisin Currie told MCA it is already focused on efficiencies and is in “good dialogue” with its investors
-
Analysis & InsightOperators focus on price engineering as scope for blanket menu increases narrows
Same line-dish prices have risen 3.5% on average in chain restaurants but the exit prices of mains increased by 43% over the same period, suggesting operators are looking to drive revenue through targeted rises, according to Lumina Intelligence
-
NewsChopstix launches new partnership with Mencap
The QSR brand is looking to double-down on the work it does to support people with learning disabilities find meaningful career opportunities, and has called on other operators to embrace the cause
-
NewsBrother Marcus appoints brand and marketing director
The Eastern Mediterranean restaurant concept has appointed fformer Las Iguanas marketing director Jeni Hankins as its brand and marketing director, as it continues to expand in the capital.
-
NewsPrime Minister admits pubs will struggle under business rates changes
Sir Keir Starmer acknowledged that for pubs and others, the re-evaluation of properties ”means that they will struggle in relation to the business rates applicable to them”
-
NewsIndividual Restaurants reports loss; makes senior team promotions
The owner and operators of Piccolino, Restaurant Bar & Grill, Riva Blu and Forbici, reported a loss after tax of £10.5m for the 52-weeks ended 30 March 2025, despite increasing like-for-like sales over the period.
-
InterviewsRedCat’s Rising Star is ‘a motivational and inspirational leader’
Having risen through the ranks from kitchen porter to GM, Luke Catchpole is on track for his next promotion, RedCat’s chief people officer Lee Melton tells MCA, in the second of a series of profiles on our Rising Star finalists ahead of the MCA Hospitality Awards 2026
-
NewsPunch Pubs reports EBITDA uplift
The pub company achieved revenue for the period of £337.9m, compared to £323.5m in FY2023/24, with growth largely driven by the further conversion of pubs from its L&T model to its Pub Partnerships business.
-
NewsJW Lees achieves strong retail sales growth in year to date
The seventh-generation family brewer and pub operator achieved a +10.8% increase in retail sales in the 38 weeks from April 2025, on the back of this year’s hot summer.
-
NewsRoger Wade to step down from Boxpark board
The Boxpark founder has announced he is stepping down from the board of the food hall, after 15 years at the business.
-
News92 Degrees due to hit £10m turnover
The independent coffee shop and roastery business is expecting to hit the £10m mark in early 2026 and has plans to open multiple franchise locations next year.
-
NewsNWTC appoints new chairman
Craig Bellamy, who is also chair at premium fitness club 1Rebel, joined the bar and restaurant group last month
-
InterviewsWatchHouse’s Rising Star ‘represents the future of our industry’
The premium coffee operator’s head of people, Euan McIntyre, is adept at bringing a commercial focus to people initiatives, MD Caroline Ottoy tells MCA in the first of a series of profiles on our Rising Star finalists ahead of the MCA Hospitality Awards 2026
-
OpinionPop-up food markets: crowd pleaser or footfall stealer?
While festive and other temporary markets act as hubs of activity and are a draw for tourists, bringing more footfall into the area, are they always in the best interests of the permanent tenants they have popped-up next to?
-
NewsFirst speakers announced for MCA’s Food to Go Conference 2026
Pret, Tortilla, Greggs, Popeyes and WatchHouse are among the brands already announced for the conference next March, with early bird tickets on sale now.
-
NewsWahaca appoints new head of people and culture
Rupi Zani joins the Mexican-restaurant group following two years at Cote Restaurants, where she mostly recently held the role of business integrity director