All MCA Insight articles in January 2024 – Page 9
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NewsOpenings of the week
MCA rounds up this week’s biggest openings stories, including Franco Manca, J D Wetherspoon, Shake Shack, The Breakfast Club and more
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NewsInnovation drives success for The Alchemist
The bar operator reported £59.4m in revenue as it continues to focus on new openings in the UK and overseas, while expanding further in the retail space
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NewsArc Inspirations toasts record December
The premium bar operator reported like-for-like sales in December 2023 were up 19.9% compared to 2022, as it prepares to debut in Edinburgh while eyeing launches in London, Cardiff, and Liverpool this year
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NewsWhitbread F&B sales up 6%
Total F&B sales stood at £582.9m in the year to date for the Beefeater operator, with like-for-likes up 6% as the category continues to “perform well”
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NewsBoparan lines up 15 Slim Chickens for 2024
Nine company-owned sites and six franchises are set to open this year under the fast-casual chicken brand, as MD Satnam Leihal reports double-digit like-for-like growth at the restaurant group
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NewsBrewDog withdraws from Real Living Wage scheme
The move was described as “outrageous” by a union leader - but CEO James Watt insisted its staff pay and benefits were still “far more generous” than its competitors
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InterviewsGreggs: ‘We’re the value player and will continue to be’
The retailer is in the ‘exploratory’ stages of considering international expansion, albeit its plans for upwards of 3,000 shops are focused solely on the UK, according to CEO Roisin Currie
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NewsHonest Burgers appoints new CEO
Thomas Kelly was previously McDonald’s CEO in Finland and Sweden, and more recently global executive director at Costa Coffee. He replaces Frank Hayes, who has stepped down as CEO of Honest to pursue other opportunities
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NewsThe Coconut Tree launches crowdfund for London openings
The Sri Lankan restaurant group is raising £1m to take the brand to the capital, with plans to open two new sites
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Analysis & InsightStrong Christmas for pubs and bars as drinks sales rise 7%
Consumers’ growing confidence and a curtailing of rail strikes helped to lift average sales during the festive period, with 290 million pints sold in December
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InterviewsSTACK: We’ve proven the model works
After receiving recent investment from Kings Park Capital, STACK has 12 sites in the pipeline with plans to recreate its mixed-use leisure venues across the UK.
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NewsBoparan sees ‘significant potential’ for Slim Chickens
The group also said its brands Gourmet Burger Kitchen, Giraffe, and Carluccio’s all offer long-term growth potential, with GBK and Slim Chickens reporting £49.5m in revenue
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InterviewsBlank Street: We are trying to redefine the coffee chain
MD Ignacio Llado explores the ways Blank Street is differentiating itself in the UK market and how his strategy to redefine the coffee chain experience has evolved in the brand’s first full year.
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NewsRed Oak Taverns acquires four pubs from Marston’s
The independent pub company has made its second acquisition deal with Marston’s in the last twelve months, after acquiring three assets in February last year
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NewsState of Play delivers ‘pivotal year’
The Hijingo, Bounce and Flight Club USA operator doubled revenue to reach £35.3m in the year to March 2023, and plans to double its estate in 2024
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NewsNightcap reports record Christmas trading
The bar operator reported its largest monthly earnings in its nearly three-year history since IPO, with revenue of £7.4m for the four weeks ended 31 December 2023
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InterviewsJW Lees looks to scale accommodation business
The Manchester-based family brewer and pub operator enjoyed a strong festive season as it focuses on adding rooms while acquiring new sites, MD William Lees-Jones tells MCA
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NewsThe Ivy, Stonegate, Azzurri Group, Pizza Express and Gail’s sign up for Hostech
The digital technology-focused conference features keynote presentations from leaders on the latest innovations across the sector – find out more here
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NewsWetherspoon partners with Haven
The first pub under the new agreement will open at Haven Primrose Valley Holiday Park in North Yorkshire in March
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NewsGreggs plans 140-160 new shops in 2024
The bakery brand reported a strong 2023, growing sales by 20% to reach £1.8bn, and more favourable Christmas trading than recent years