All articles by Georgi Gyton – Page 9
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OpinionCharlie Gilkes: ‘Reeves has hammered final nail in coffin of pubs’
The Inception Group co-founder has said the huge rise in business rates bills from increased valuations “spells disaster for the hospitality sector”, and has urged the government to reconsider
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NewsOakNorth: Casual dining to see further consolidation
Selective growth through consolidation is expected in the casual dining sector, led by opportunistic acquisitions of distressed assets, challenger bank OakNorth has predicted.
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InterviewsPoolhouse: ‘Pitching to investors was easy – they could see the potential’
CEO and co-founder Andrew O’Brien talks to MCA about the opportunity to scale Poolhouse – the soon-to-launch concept from Topgolf and Puttshack founders, Steve and Dave Jolliffe, with its imaginative gameplay and premium F&B offering
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OpinionSt Austell CEO: ‘Budget heaps more cost and pain on a sector that simply cannot bear it’
Kevin Georgel says the combined impact of the 2024 and 2025 autumn budget’s will force St Austell Brewery “to scale significantly scale back our investment plans”, and accuses the government of doing ”the opposite” of its promise to rebalance business rates
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NewsWhich Wich partners with Seeds on UK expansion
The Dallas, Texas-founded sandwich chain, known for its customisable hot toasted sandwiches, is looking to roll out the American sandwich brand across the UK.
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InterviewsDishoom: ‘We want to deepen our culture as we grow’
Mindful of the risk that scaling up and taking on new investment can lead to a dilution of culture, Dishoom, Caravan and Pizza Pigrims are focused on maintaining their values as they expand
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NewsPoolhouse lines up debut New York venue
Poolhouse has signed a Letter of Intent for a “stunning unit” on New York’s Broadway, with discussions on further UK and international locations ongoing, co-founder and chief executive Andrew O’Brien tells MCA.
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NewsDave’s Hot Chicken named ‘One to Watch’ at R200 awards
Wingstop, Big Mamma, Brother Marcus and Pizza Pilgrims were among the other winners at Restaurant’s annual awards.
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NewsArc Inspirations’ appoints new FD
Ciara Allen has left the Leeds-based bar business, with Vicki Musto stepping up from her role as head of finance to take on the FD role.
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NewsCafés and restaurants exempt from ‘milkshake tax’
Lattes and milkshakes made in cafes and restaurants will be exempt from the government’s proposed ‘milkshake tax’, which will only apply to packaged drinks, health secretary Wes Streeting is due to tell the Commons today.
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NewsMarston’s achieves significant uplift in profit before tax
The 1,300-strong pub group reported a 71.3% in profit before tax of £72.1m for the 52 weeks to 27 September 2025 – up from £42.1m for the same period in 2024, although total revenue dipped slightly over the period.
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NewsDomino’s CEO steps down
Andrew Rennie has stepped down as chief executive and board director at the pizza delivery group with immediate effect, with current COO Nicola Frampton to serve as interim CEO until a permanent successor is appointed.
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InterviewsKFC: ‘I’m most proud of the opportunities we give people’
Joining KFC as an area coach and working his way through four business units to lead the brand’s UK & Ireland business has given Rob Swain an appreciation of the growth opportunities the brand can offer its employees
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NewsBanana Tree investment programme delivering ’strong profit growth’
Following a shake-up of its brand identity and strategy, improvements to operations, and a landmark new opening in Cardiff, the Big Table Group-owned Southeast Asian restaurant group is gunning for growth, MD Kate Wilton says
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InterviewsKFC: ‘We are working to deliver innovation at pace’
With increased competition in the fried chicken market, KFC is embracing innovation on its menus, while staying true to the core of the brand, Rob Swain, general manager, UK & Ireland, tells MCA.
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Analysis & InsightJob cuts likely to be widespread without budget support
More than half of UK hospitality businesses have said they will have to reduce the number of staff they employ and/or increase prices if next week’s budget does not delivery the necessary support for the sector.
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NewsUrban Baristas partners with Walia Capital founder
The Aussie-inspired speciality coffee chain has signed a multi-site development deal with Aary Walia, founder of Walia Capital and Anytime Fitness franchisee, with a new site secured on Bermondsey Street.
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NewsNEOS Hospitality appoints new property director
Tony Palmer joins the bar group from Giggling Squid where he had served as property director at the Thai restaurant group since August 2024.
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NewsGail’s owner eyeing up new investors
Bain Capital is understood to be exploring opportunities for further investment in the fast-growing bakery chain, with Goldman Sachs retained as advisers.
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InterviewsKate Nicholls: ‘It’s the most unpredictable budget I’ve ever seen’
Joined by leaders from Fulham Shore, JKS and Wahaca at MCA’s Restaurant Conference, the chair of UKHospitality said it was unlikely there would be much to rejoice about in the upcoming budget. “All we can do is hope that it is neutral.”