All MCA Insight articles in January 2025 – Page 4
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NewsLane7 set to expand in UK and strike overseas markets
The boutique bowling alley operator is pushing ahead with international growth despite soaring costs, The Times reports
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NewsWH Smith in secret talks to sell historic high street arm
London-listed WH Smith is in negotiations to sell the high street operation which opened its first store in central London in 1792, Sky News reports
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News‘Survive 2025’: Small businesses scramble to avoid collapse under Labour
Hospitality and retail sector employers say they ‘can’t magic money out of thin air’, The Telegraph reports
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NewsKFC UK & Ireland appoints new general manager
Rob Swain is being promoted to general manager from 1 March 2025, with Meg Farren becoming president of North America at Yum! Brands’ sister company, Taco Bell
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NewsOpenings of the week
MCA rounds up this week’s biggest openings stories, including Joe & The Juice, Flat Iron, Pesto and more
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OpinionTrouble in the engine room
This year is all about survival, and building a new and solid margin base for 2026, David Read, founder and chairman of Prestige Purchasing argues
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InterviewsAtis secures a further seven sites
The salad bowl concept is looking to reach 20 sites by September, following a £8m investment, and is just beginning to search for its first locations outside London, co-founder Philip Honer tells MCA.
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NewsTasty reports challenging trading amid restructuring efforts
The operator of Wildwood and dim.t reported a difficult second half of 2024 as the group grappled with declining consumer confidence, reduced spending, inflation and rising labour expenses
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InterviewsTonkotsu: ‘We are still positive about the future’
The government may have delivered a “sucker punch” to the sector in the Autumn Budget, but demand for quality Asian cuisine remains strong and there are opportunities for growth, co-founder Emma Reynolds tells MCA
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NewsSainsbury’s to shut remaining cafes
The supermarket will close its 61 remaining company-run in-store cafés, and remove patisserie, hot food and pizza counters
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NewsSSP unveils new concept Monty’s
Monty’s at Liverpool John Lennon Airport will accommodate up to 190 diners with cooked breakfasts, bagels, and waffles, while lunch and dinner offerings will feature smashed patty burgers, mac ’n’ cheese, hot dogs, milkshakes, and desserts
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NewsCrêpeaffaire acquired for £149k in pre-pack deal
Directors Daniel Spinath and Allen Kerslake acquired seven UK sites as part of the deal, in Brighton, Bromley, Cambridge, Islington, Leeds, Newcastle and St Albans
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InterviewsPunch looks to evolve L&T agreements
CEO Andy Spencer says innovation in Punch Pubs’ leased & tenanted business is currently a major focus, in order to help publicans navigate and remain competitive in a challenging cost environment
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InterviewsPizza Pilgrims’ Rising Star has ability ‘to go anywhere in hospitality’
Co-founder Thom Elliott praises managing partner Clive Watkins’ energy, attitude and the respect he has from his colleagues, in the latest of our Rising Star finalist profiles, ahead of the MCA Hospitality Awards
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NewsStonegate’s managed pubs achieve strong festive like-for-likes
The company achieved like-for-like sales growth of 9.7% in its managed estate over the Christmas period, with its bars and venues seeing a 4.1% increase
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InterviewsCoqfighter partnership a ‘true growth accelerator’
Co-founder Tristan Clough tells MCA Coqfighter’s partnership with Growth Kitchen to roll out 100 sites gives the brand “accelerated growth without capex risk or operational energy”
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NewsDrake & Morgan outperforms market over Christmas
The group reported 14.7% like-for-like sales growth over the five-week festive period
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NewsDomino's introduces low calorie options
The pizza group has introduced loaded veg, veg with chicken, and a personal-sized thin & crispy base pizza, which aim to provide more balanced choices for customers
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NewsWogans determined to rescue Homeslice
Mark and Alan Wogan are working on a new structure for their pizza restaurant concept, which has entered into liquidation with debts of £2.5m
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NewsSessions expands SoBe Burger with six new openings
Sessions, the platform behind a growing portfolio of food brands, is continuing the expansion of its smash burger concept, SoBe Burger, with six new locations set to open in the next two months