All Harvester articles
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InterviewsM&B: ‘We’re expecting a big surge at Christmas’
Chief executive Phil Urban tells MCA he’s expecting consumers to spend big over the festive period despite recent budget uncertainty
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NewsM&B reports ‘another year of strong performance’ as profits rise
The pub and restaurant group delivered 7.3% growth in operating profit in its 2025 results with like-for-like sales up 4.3% and revenue reaching £2.71bn.
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NewsOperators self-fund Eat Out extension
Several operators are extending the Eat Out to Help Out discount into September, funding the cost themselves.
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NewsBig fat stats put the obesity debate back on the menu
There are times everyone needs a juicy bacon cheeseburger, a big portion of chips, a three piece KFC, a pepperoni pizza, lots of chocolate, a few scoops of ice cream or some crisps. Not altogether obviously, that would be far too delicious. But individually, and as an occasional treat, where’s the harm? The trouble is the UK has long suffered from a lack of restraint. Couple that with our love of takeaways and a national diet rooted in stodgy classics and we have reached a point where the government estimates that 63% of adults in England are overweight or obese. It says one in three kids leaves primary school overweight or obese. Obesity related illness costs the NHS over £6bn every year. Those are big fat stats.
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InterviewsM&B CEO Phil Urban: ‘People want to go out and be social again’
As social media storms go, it was up there with the silliest.
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Analysis & InsightOne in three will eat out less post-lockdown
Almost a third of consumers have said they will eat out less frequently than they did pre-coronavirus when the lockdown period ends, new research by CGA has revealed.
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NewsSteve Gotham: Straddling the great wet vs dry divide
While there might be some disagreement over the extent the UK eating out market is over-supplied, there will be strong agreement that it is intensely competitive. It remains highly fragmented and contains an abundance of operators clamouring for consumers’ attention and spend. As such, skilful market positioning is essential.
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Analysis & InsightJ.P. Morgan Cazenove on Marston’s and M&B
After strong outperformance in 2019, we are moving MARS and MAB to Neutral, from Overweight, as the current share prices have now “caught up” to reflect the fundamentals, in our estimation. MAB’s operational performance inflected during 2019, and MARS largely resolved fears around its leverage and dividend sustainability. In addition, ...
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NewsHickory’s prepared to ‘look outside the box’ in site search
Hickory’s Smokehouse is prepared to stretch its traditional site and location preferences in order to achieve the growth rate it is aiming for, managing director John Welsh has told MCA.
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NewsStrong drink sales drive M&B’s 3.3% lfls growth
Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) has continued to outperform the market in the eight weeks to 21 September, with like-for-like sales growing by 3.3%.
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Analysis & InsightM&B – Much ado about branding
MCA market insight director Steve Gotham analyses data from MCA’s Eating Out Panel to pinpoint potential areas for improvement for some of Mitchells & Butlers’ key brands.
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Analysis & InsightPub brands lose share at dinner time
Pub brands’ share of visits at dinner time – its most important occasion – in the second quarter of 2019 (April – June), reflecting toughening competition from restaurants and growing customer expectations.
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NewsHickory’s secures Shrewsbury site
American barbecue and smokehouse restaurant Hickory’s has secured its 12th site – former bar & grill The Waterfront in Shrewsbury.
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NewsM&B to add up to 200 electric car charging points
Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) is to deliver up to 200 rapid car charging points at its pubs and restaurants, through its new partnership with BP Chargemaster.
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NewsHickory’s secures Harvester site in Wilmslow
Hickory’s has secured a further site in Cheshire – the Harvester restaurant on Altrincham Road in Wilmslow.
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NewsUrban: ‘New concept could be second string to our premium bow’
Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) is to trial a new concept in Harpenden next month, which it believes could add a second string to its bow of premium offerings, MCA has learnt.
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NewsUrban: ‘We do the same things with 110 sites as we did with 30’
As part of the launch of the CGA Stone & River Brand Momentum report, Mitchells & Butlers’ chief executive Phil Urban talks about how the multi-branded operator has remained at the top spot despite the volatility of the market.
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Analysis & InsightSpotlight on the value led branded pub market
Brand expert Ian Dunstall casts his eye over a segment over the market that is often overlooked in analysis despite being a financial power house – the value pub market. He rates the leading brands and looks at how many have reinvented themselves to better align with the modern consumer.
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NewsBy Chloe set to open third UK site
By Chloe, the plant-based fast casual concept, is set to launch its third UK venue, with an opening lined up in the Icon Outlet at O2 complex.
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Analysis & InsightStudy claims restaurant and pub dishes unhealthier than fast food
A study by the British Medical Journal has suggested food served in pub and restaurant chains is unhealthier than that of fast-food chains.