Innovation – Page 5
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Analysis & InsightComfort food for the soul: the trend for nostalgic dining
As economic turbulence continues to drag on businesses and consumers alike, MCA explores the trend towards retro-inspired, nostalgia-led concepts and why they provide comfort in reminiscence
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InterviewsRosa’s Thai looks to ‘own UK’s Thai restaurant space’
The group is preparing to unveil a new menu and sees “huge potential” to be the authority on Thai food in the UK, CEO Gavin Adair tells MCA
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Analysis & InsightPlant-based diners increasingly value led
Psychographic data collected by Lumina Intelligence shows that plant-based consumers are putting an increased emphasis on value compared to last year
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NewsAsda launches new food to go concept
The Asda Food Hub will provide a new concession at the front of store serving barista-style coffees alongside premium grab and go options
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NewsEl Pastor sources ‘cartel-free’ avocados
The Harts Group brand now sources its avocados from Avocargo, a company which imports sustainable and ethical avocados from Jalisco and Michoacan in Mexico to the UK
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InterviewsDeliveroo: ‘We don’t obsess about our competitors’
Chief business officer Carlo Mocci tells MCA that the current market conditions have led to a “substantial slowdown” in the growth of dark kitchen model Deliveroo Editions, but the company still sees plenty of headroom for growth
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InterviewsAlan Yau: People don’t want to work 40+ hours anymore
The Wagamama founder speaks to MCA about post-Covid working patterns, revisiting his 33-year-old idea of a Chinese QSR chain, and why the generic concept of the restaurateur is dead
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NewsPandemic dining preferences here to stay
Deloitte’s Future of Restaurants Survey suggests the rise of “ultimate convenience” and a move towards user-friendly digital experiences is here to stay
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Analysis & InsightCompetitive socialising continues to rise
The number of transactions at competitive socialising venues are up 9% in March 2023 vs October 2022, with sales up 5%, according to CACI
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Analysis & InsightDifferentiated pub offer key to boosting sales
From family-friendly events and outdoor cooking to sports and entertainment, Lumina Intelligence’s senior insight manager Katherine Prowse looks at the creative thinking on display in the pub sector
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NewsAlan Yau to create ‘Wagamama 2.0’
The serial restaurant entrepreneur said he wants to create a “Wagamama for the supermarkets”
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Analysis & InsightFood to go: What’s inspiring spring/summer NPD
MCA explores the trends influencing the new spring/summer launches from the UK’s leading food to go brands and how they stack up against competition from the grocery retailers.
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NewsBusaba making move into breakfast
The Thai restaurant chain is to trial a breakfast menu at three of its sites from next month with a view to rolling it out to the wider estate.
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NewsPopeyes announces further openings and breakfast menu launch
The Southern fried chicken chain will open a further four sites in London, which will see the launch of its breakfast menu in the UK
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Analysis & InsightPret’s spring refresh relies on both health and indulgence
As two competing trends take over the sector, the food-to-go brand has unveiled a range of new items that cater to changing consumer needs following a pandemic and cost of living crisis
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Analysis & InsightA spoonful of olive oil helps the Frappuccino go down
As Starbucks launches an olive oil-infused range of drinks, MCA asks coffee experts whether the new product innovation could become as big a hit as the famed pumpkin spiced latte – and help the High Street chain re-capture some cultural relevancy
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Analysis & InsightNPD leverages both health and indulgence trends
Plant-based and health trends have influenced new launches in the food to go sector, but operators are also introducing indulgent snacks to tempt customers to trade up
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NewsPret revamps iced drinks range
The food to go retailer will launch the new range in April in what it describes as its biggest drinks innovation in more than five years, replacing its current range of frappes and smoothies.
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Analysis & InsightPizza continues to reign supreme on menus
Italian was the most popular main course cuisine on restaurant menus in Q4, while burgers and fried chicken grew their share of dishes, according to Lumina Intelligence’s Menu Tracker
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OpinionUdon for breakfast, anyone?
As Marugame Udon makes its debut on the breakfast scene with its ‘Benedict Udon’, MCA examines the new offering and its potential for success in a category often bound by tradition