All Innovation & Trends articles
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Analysis & InsightWhy America is automating restaurants while Britain is still thinking about it
As labour costs climb and margins tighten, restaurant operators worldwide are taking automation more seriously than ever. But are robots genuinely transforming restaurant economics, or simply adding another expensive piece of kit to an already complicated industry?
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NewsUK licensed premises fall below 100,000 as closures accelerate
Nearly 1,000 net closures were recorded in the past year as rising costs and weak consumer confidence continue to squeeze the sector, NIQ’s latest Hospitality Market Monitor reveals
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InterviewsAI in hospitality: What’s moving the dial
From kitchen optimisation and improved loyalty mechanisms to smarter reporting – Wagamama and Heartwood Collection share how they are using AI to enhance their operations
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Analysis & InsightA modern way of eating: the rise of ‘in-between’ meals
Traditional meal times in the hospitality sector are becoming less distinct as consumer behaviour evolves beyond the model of breakfast, lunch, dinner, according to Stefanie Metcalf at Lumina Intelligence
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NewsPopeyes and Pizza Pilgrims to share growth strategies at MCA conference
Leaders from Popeyes, Pizza Pilgrims and Gerry’s Hot Subs will discuss restaurant growth, innovation and the challenges of standing out in a competitive market at MCA’s Restaurant Conference on 5 November
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Analysis & InsightLifestyle, culture and community: the formula behind hospitality’s most influential brands
From cultivating communities to staying culturally relevant at scale, three groups from across the hospitality spectrum explain how their different approaches to localisation are helping them each create long-term engagement
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NewsCarling unveils biggest brand refresh in three decades
Molson Coors has unveiled a new visual identity across the on-trade as it looks to reconnect the UK’s best-selling mainstream lager with a new generation of drinkers
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NewsCoaching Inn Group to invest up to £10m in 2027
Managing director Adam Charity said the group had become more disciplined about where it deploys capital following RedCat’s restructure earlier this year, with greater emphasis now placed on quality over quantity
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NewsShining a spotlight on hospitality excellence
Nominations are open for the MCA Hospitality Awards 2027, giving you the opportunity to recognise the businesses, brands and individuals making the biggest impact across the sector
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OpinionWhy I’ve changed my mind about AI in hospitality
Fractional operations director Jay Heathcote reflects on a lightbulb moment in his approach to AI - and argues why the sector needs to move from solo thinking to multi-player mode
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NewsOxford Street goes traffic-free
Almost a kilometre of the London high street is now pedestrianised with Mayor Sadiq Khan calling it a ‘truly momentous occasion for the capital’
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Weekend PressBoom in weight-loss drugs could lead to fall in beer sales, Heineken warns UK pubs
World’s second largest brewer says use of drugs such as Wegovy can reduce desire to drink alcohol, reports The Guardian
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Weekend PressWhy some of Britain’s top chefs are opening outposts in Gulf states
Fallow co-owner James Robson tells The Guardian Gulf countries actively help businesses set up, while east Asia has a better work ethic
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OpinionMy beef with pub roasts
For pub operators, it can represent one of the most reliable trading occasions of the week. The problem is, the end-product and customer experience can be patchy
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NewsTossed unveils new menu and store format
The healthy eating brand’s new ‘Feel Good, Your Way’ campaign places an emphasis on personalisation and nutrition
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News‘Real momentum building ahead of festive season’ for hospitality following September sales growth
Sector-wide sales rose 2.7% year-on-year last month, giving groups their best growth of 2026 so far
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InterviewsCaprinos: ‘Saudi Arabia is one of the hottest markets for QSR right now’
Co-founder Khalil Rehman tells MCA the pizza business will be exploring expansion into other Middle East countries after signing its first franchise development agreement in the region
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OpinionWill Subway’s blueprint get it back on top in the UK?
The sandwich giant will be hoping its new growth strategy can bolster its standing against both established quick-service players like Greggs and hungry market challengers such as Jersey Mike’s
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InterviewsCustomer ownership emerges as delivery’s defining strategic battleground
Rising aggregator costs and fragmented customer journeys are driving a fundamental rethink of delivery strategy, with loyalty, personalisation and first-party channels taking centre stage, MCA’s Innovation Conference heard
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NewsJust Eat halts AI menu image rollout over bizarre food photos
The AI images prompted derision on social media, with users describing the creations as “absolutely rank” and questioning how they had made it onto a customer-facing platform