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All articles by Georgi Gyton – Page 27
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InterviewsRed Engine: ‘UK will always be a hotbed of opportunity for us’
As the experiential leisure business enters its tenth year, founder Steve Moore speaks to MCA about the evolution of the sector, future growth opportunities and how competition only pushes the Flight Club and Electric Shuffle operator to be better
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NewsBagel Factory targeting 40 locations this year
The 34-site business, owned by Italian food group Cremonini, reported a “significantly improved” performance in 2023, with turnover up 57.6% to £4.8m, according to its latest accounts.
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Analysis & InsightToughest recruitment conditions since 2020
Demand for staff continued to decline across all sectors in January, with the number of vacancies declining by the greatest degree since August 2020, according to the latest KPMG and REC UK Report on Jobs.
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OpinionPM pubs campaign: ‘Popping into his local won’t make any difference’
Keir Starmer may still frequent his local pub, but the sector needs material support in the form of business rate discounts and lower VAT, pub leaders tell MCA
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Analysis & InsightUK branded coffee shop market sees 5.2% growth
The £6.1bn industry saw a further 570 net new outlets open over the past year, with Costa Coffee remaining the UK’s largest branded coffee chain
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EventsBook your tickets for MCA’s Food to Go Conference
The full-day conference boasts some of the biggest brands in sector, including Wingstop, German Doner Kebab, Costa Coffee, Papa Johns, Chipotle and Ole & Steen – so don’t delay, book your tickets for this must-attend event
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NewsCornish Bakery accelerating expansion this year
The business has opened six new sites with “a further five under offer”, since its year end in May 2024, and is on target to achieve a significant uplift in EBITDA, to reach in excess of £5m in FY24/25
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NewsBeer bottles under threat from net zero targets
The introduction of the so-called ‘glass tax’ could result in an additional 7p per 500ml bottle resulting in many brewers ditching glass in favour of aluminium cans
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NewsNICs hit won’t blow The Ivy sale off course
The Ivy restaurant group is preparing for an additional £6 million annual hit from the increase in employer national insurance contributions, but it won’t derail plans for a sale of the business, it has been reported
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Analysis & InsightLate night venue numbers drop 25% in last five years
Nightclubs and late-night bar numbers may be down but venues operating in the wider evening economy have increased by 3.9% in the past 12 months, according to the new Night Time Economy Monitor
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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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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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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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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.