All interviews – Page 2
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InterviewsBlack Tap: ‘Iconic locations, iconic cities’
The New York-founded craft burger and beer concept has a standout offering that will resonate in the UK market, founders Julie Mulligan and Chris Barish tell MCA
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InterviewsThe Real Greek launches grill-led menu as part of brand repositioning
The brand is repositioning itself for growth with a new, grill-led menu and strengthened brand proposition, CEO Marcel Khan tells MCA
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InterviewsZizzi focuses on premium experience and measured expansion strategy
The casual dining Italian brand is entering 2025 with strong momentum, supported by brand refresh initiatives, menu innovation and enhanced loyalty engagement
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InterviewsRoxy Leisure targets four more openings this year as Holborn site confirmed
The experiential leisure brand expects to open four to five new UK sites in 2025, marketing director Joel Mitchell reveals to MCA
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InterviewsSixes sharpens gamification and partner-led growth strategy
The experiential cricket concept is sharpening its brand positioning with an increased focus on gamification, partnerships, and enhancing customer experience
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InterviewsMcMullen’s: Navigating Budget costs will be ‘like swimming in treacle’
Much of the pub operator’s profit growth will be used mitigate costs rather than fund investment and acquisitions, joint MD Heydon Mizon tells MCA
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InterviewsLeon prioritises digital loyalty as expansion gathers pace
The health-focused QSR brand is increasing investment in digital loyalty and customer retention as it accelerates domestic growth and international franchising, Mac Plumpton tells MCA
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InterviewsOodles Wok targets 10-12 UK openings annually
The pan-Asian brand is continuing to expand across the UK, with five new openings scheduled across April and May and a long-term target of 10+ new sites per year
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InterviewsMajestic Wine: Driving growth by uncorking data
Last year’s acquisition of wine bar chain Vagabond provides an opportunity to draw upon the power of data and take Majestic into a new phase, chief executive John Colley reveals
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InterviewsBlack Sheep Coffee: ‘Our UK estate is flying’
The coffee shop business has experienced “tremendous traction” with its UK franchise development in recent weeks, and expects to have franchisees in place within each of its UK territories before the end of FY2025, co-founder Gabriel Shohet tells MCA.
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InterviewsSourdough Sophia eyes 20 sites
The North London bakery-cafe operator is set to open three sites this year as it balances its artisanal roots with operational growth
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InterviewsPapa Johns franchise base ‘stronger than ever’
Having restructured its UK estate, the pizza brand is now “well positioned for growth” with positive sales and transactions, according UK MD Chris Phylactou
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InterviewsCaravan: ‘This is all down to us now’
CEO Laura Harper-Hinton speaks to MCA following the restaurant group’s management buy-out, which she says has enabled the team to “refocus on what we’re up to”
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InterviewsEmilia’s Crafted Pasta sees ‘huge potential’ to keep growing
The premium pasta concept will continue opening sites in London, and is in the early stages of exploring outside investment
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InterviewsChicken Shop: ‘We want to own London’
The premium QSR brand is doubling down on London as it prepares to open its eighth site in Canary Wharf – with further expansion in its sights
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InterviewsYolk: ‘We try to balance a more premium product with accessibility’
The London-based food to go brand is cautious about pushing too far on price, particularly as it looks to scale outside the capital, founder Nick Philpot explains
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InterviewsMary Brown’s maps out UK clusters as it builds its international base
The Canadian QSR brand is stepping up its UK rollout and expects to reach 10 sites by the year-end
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InterviewsSenza Fondo: ‘Bigger plates, bigger energy’
The new Italian-American concept in Shoreditch is challenging London’s small-plates status quo with a bold focus on value, scale and experience – starting with bottomless beef shin lasagna
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InterviewsCUPP sees ‘huge potential’ in growing bubble tea market
The brand is developing its food offer and cafe experience in response to customer demand, brand director Angharad Jackson told MCA’s Food to Go conference
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InterviewsBenito’s returns to London with ambitious expansion plans
The fast casual Mexican chain is set to make a major comeback in London, with its first new site in the capital opening off Bishopsgate this Easter