All articles by James McAllister – Page 2
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NewsIRO Sushi launches joint venture programme
The QSR chain has partnered with a leading high street bank to finance joint-venture franchised stores as it looks to accelerate its UK expansion strategy
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NewsHeavenly Desserts moves into retail
The dessert café franchise is to launch a range of milk cake trays under the first phase of a wider retail strategy
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NewsThe Breakfast Group announces joint venture with bar brand Laki Kane
Under the partnership, Laki Kane will launch a new central London location on the site of The Breakfast Group’s Burlock Bar on Oxford Street
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NewsMarkus Thesleff: ‘We cannot ignore the environment we’re operating in’
The owner of London restaurants Los Mochis and Sale e Pepe has said current sector-specific government policies have created ‘significant threats’ to hospitality and tourism businesses
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NewsArdent Pub Group achieves B Corp status
The three-strong premium pubs business has become the latest in a growing number of UK hospitality groups to receive the accreditation
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NewsLeading QSR and casual dining brands join forces to launch Sustainable Chicken Forum
The new cross-industry initiative is designed to drive further improvements in chicken welfare while balancing sustainability, net zero ambitions and long-term supply resilience
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NewsCosta boosts staff wages and invests £1.5m to drive further Welsh expansion
The coffee giant will increase pay for team members across its 1,500 UK company-owned stores in April with baristas set to benefit from a 4.1% rise
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Analysis & InsightLate-night venues fell by 4.1% in 2025
New findings from the NTIA Night Time Economy Market Monitor show that 2025 marked a ‘critical breaking point’ for the segment with closures continuing to accelerate
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NewsFSB warns small businesses face ‘perfect storm’ in April
The lobby group says 35% of small employers are planning to close their operations or reduce output as combination of higher costs arrives
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Analysis & InsightHospitality groups see sales flatten in January as consumers tighten their belts
The latest NIQ RSM Hospitality Business Tracker shows sales across managed restaurant, pub and bar groups were 0.1% lower than the same month last year
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NewsRed Engine exploring opportunities for European expansion
Co-founder and chief executive Steve Moore tells MCA there’s plenty of opportunity for the Flight Club and Electric Shuffle owner on the Continent as it looks to grow its global estate
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Analysis & InsightExpresso: How the self-service coffee category is evolving
Costa Express has long held a monopoly in the self-service coffee machine space, but now the likes of Illy and disrupters such as Unity Coffee are challenging the status quo
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InterviewsCooks Coffee: ‘Matcha is no longer a fad’
The Esquires Coffee owner says it has made various changes to appeal to younger Gen Z consumers, as well as Millennials, through embracing new technologies and introducing more health-conscious menus
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Analysis & InsightHospitality insolvencies fall to lowest level in two years
Government data shows accommodation and food service insolvencies fell 26% month-on-month between November and December last year with the number of collapses easing slightly over the course of the year
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NewsPrezzo Italian launches family dining subscription
The offer, described as ‘first-of-its-kind’ deal in the UK, will allow up to three children to enjoy a three-course meal with the purchase of one full-priced adult main
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InterviewsDoner Shack: ‘The US is our most important territory for expansion’
Co-founder Sanj Sanghera says the Berlin-inspired QSR brand has signed dozens of franchise agreements for the US and is also exploring options for company-owned sites across the pond
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NewsMission Mars to relaunch Albert’s Schenke as Schiller’s Hall
The brand overhaul will the Bavarian cook haus and bier tavern concept relaunch as a neighbourhood-style bar and bistro with pan European influences
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InterviewsCastle Pubs: ‘What we’re seeing is our guests very much still want to go out’
Operations director Dan Barnett tells MCA that trading across the M&B-owned pub group’s estate has been ‘encouraging’ with an ongoing refurbishment programme driving stronger sales in the long term
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NewsIlly to roll out self-service coffee bars nationwide
The premium coffee brand is launching a new ‘bean-to-cup’ self-service bar concept with a target to achieve 1,000 placements during the next five years
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NewsSale discussions continue following Sixes administration
The experiential cricket concept, which called in administrators back in December, has now shuttered several locations having been ‘unable to achieve a sustainable operating model amid fierce competition’














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