All articles by Georgi Gyton – Page 5
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NewsValiant achieves positive EBITDA in FY25
The community-focused pub company, founded in 2021 by Gerry Carroll and Mark McGinty, added 24 sites to its estate last year, with its estate totalling 80 pubs by the year end.
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Analysis & InsightHigher prices the ‘new reality’ for hospitality
Within the fast food sector, burger concepts have recorded some of the highest menu price rises due to the increasing cost of beef, with coffee also one of the fast rising categories over the past two months, according to Meaningful Vision
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NewsWagamama launches customisable kids’ bento boxes
Available for children under 12 and priced at £7.50, the bento box lets them build their own meal using separate compartments to choose a main, rice or noodles, fresh vegetables and a sauce.
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NewsScoffs Group reports substantial increase in EBITDA
Costa Coffee’s largest UK franchisee has reported adjusted EBITDA of £4.1m for FY24 – up 92%, with the opening of its first franchise Itsu location marking a “significant milestone” in its diversification strategy
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NewsBoston Tea Party sees 40% EBITDA uplift
The 23-strong coffee shop business has reported sales of £21.1m for 2024 – flat with the previous year – but a focus on menu simplification and tighter forecasting has helped mitigate increased labour costs
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Analysis & InsightEnergy price hikes: ‘Additional costs are not welcome’
Hospitality operators are grappling with the prospect of further increases in the price of energy as electricity standing charges are set to double, placing “yet another burden on hospitality”
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InterviewsBrava Hospitality: ‘Internal competition is good for business’
CEO James Brown speaks to MCA about the benefits of a portfolio business, how the rebrand of Prezzo has been paying off and when we can expect its second concept to launch
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NewsVaulkhard Leisure seeing benefits of portfolio repositioning
The North East leisure business saw turnover decline to £14.3m in the year to 31 December 2024, compared to £15.3m in 2023, following the disposal of two further sites, however EBITDA was up on the prior year.
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NewsBarons Pub Company reports year of solid trading
The Surrey-based business, which operates 11 pubs and a café, said the 2024 financial year had required “careful financial management”, but that it would continue to explore strategic expansion opportunities
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NewsFarmer J grows revenue by +50%
The field-tray concept, led by Jonathan Recanati, is expecting to open a further six sites in the UK in 2026, as well as a second site in New York.
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NewsHawksmoor achieves strong turnover growth
The premium steak restaurant achieved an 11% increase in turnover, for the year to 31 December 2024, to £100.4m, driven by strong like-for-like sales alongside the opening of its new restaurant in Chicago.
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NewsPopeyes’ revenue growth highlights ‘incredible momentum’
The fast-growing QSR brand reported revenue of £118.9m in 2024 – up from £58.1m the previous year – driven by new site openings.
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NewsTortilla achieves 5% rise in UK like-for-likes; appoints new CFO
Despite strong growth in UK sales, the fast-casual Mexican restaurant’s UK business reported a loss before tax of £2.3m in the 26 weeks to 29 June 2025
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NewsBow Street Group sees £7.5m loss prior to restructure
The operator of Wildwood and dim t restaurants – formerly known as Tasty – saw revenue fall by 21% in the 26 weeks to 30 June 2025, to £15.1m – primarily due to the impact of five site closures last year
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NewsHonest Burgers to acquire 12 GBK sites
The deal will see Honest Burgers’ portfolio expand to more than 50 restaurants. For Boparan, the deal represents a “strategic opportunity” for Gourmet Burger Kitchen to focus on its core growth area of delivery.
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NewsJollibee looking to restart UK expansion from 2026
The Filipino fast food chain – which operates 12 restaurants in the UK – has reported a loss after tax of £4.6m in 2024, but is still planning to “significantly increase” its number of UK openings
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NewsCooks Coffee: ‘We are ahead of our openings target’
The operator of the Esquires franchise opened 11 sites during the first half of 2025, with enough sites already in the pipeline to “double that again before the end of the financial year”, CEO Aiden Keegan told MCA.
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InterviewsGreene King: ‘We want our pubs to be relevant and welcoming to all’
The pub group has been a driver of change on equity, diversity and inclusion in recent years. MCA speaks to its chief experience officer Andrew Bush on the progress to date, challenges around targets and why these issues matter, in the first of a spotlight series on EDI, sponsored by Carlsberg Britvic
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NewsActivist investor pushing for SSP takeover
Irenic Capital Management has been trying to drum up interest in a take-over deal for the food to go operator, after it increased its stake to around 3%.
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NewsPizzaExpress planning 50 more restaurant revamps in 2025
On the back of 74 restaurant refurbishments last year, “our remodel programme is track”, chief executive Paula MacKenzie told MCA, ”and we’ve already opened seven new pizzerias this year, with more to come”.