All MCA Insight articles in July 2026 – Page 4
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NewsBurnham adviser backs plans for National Food Service
The recommendations call for the creation of approximately 9,500 government-backed Community Food Centres that would offer nutritious meals free at the point of use
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NewsNotes increases sales but losses widen
The specialty coffee and wine-bar operator grew turnover by 15% in 2025 with three new locations
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NewsOpenings of the week
MCA rounds up the week’s biggest openings stories, featuring Gymkhana’s Dubai restaurant, Sri Lankan group ISSO’s London debut, plus new sites from Taro, It’s Bagels, and more
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InterviewsSticks’n’Sushi: ‘We strongly believe there are opportunities outside of London’
CEO Andreas Karlsson tells MCA the Danish-founded, Japanese-inspired restaurant group is interested in further expansion in the north of north of England and Scotland following successful openings in Glasgow and Manchester
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NewsCornish Bakery announces next four openings
The independent bakery chain will open new sites in Wells, Witney, Shrewsbury, and Guildford, following its ‘anti-brand’ strategy to create individually curated, bespoke bakeries in each community
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Analysis & InsightTeenage dreams: The summer menus targeting under 18s
The UK government’s Great British Summer Savings scheme has led some operators to evolve their kid’s offering with new menus aimed specifically at teens and tweens
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OpinionCould Winston Churchill’s wartime public canteens be making a return?
Lord Jim O’Neill, the former Goldman Sachs economist and one of Andy Burnham’s key economic advisors, has backed a University College London reportrecommending creating around 9,500 government-backed community food centres
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Weekend PressWhitbread CEO: ‘Dear Andy Burnham, here’s why we’re investing £500m less in the UK’
Writing in The Sunday Times, Dominic Paul says the next prime minister must abandon ‘ruinous’ changes to business rates that are choking growth
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Weekend PressOnly the World Cup is keeping pubs afloat, says Estrella UK chief
Luke White, MD of Damm UK, tells The Telegraph pub margins remain ‘razor thin’ despite prediction of extra 5.5 million pints drunk during England’s quarter final clash with Norway last night
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Weekend PressHow the Great British Summer Savings scheme is helping families
The BBC speaks to families planning to make the most of the policy, which sees VAT slashed from 20% to 5% across a range of family-focused hospitality and leisure settings including on kid’s meals in restaurants
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Weekend Press‘One shark and chips, please’: What you’ll be eating when cod comes off the menu
An explosion of octopus and anchovies in our seas could produce more variety at your local chippy, reports The Telegraph
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Weekend PressJersey Mike’s IPO tries to sprinkle SpaceX magic on a sandwich
Sandwich chain’s US float, as it prepares to expand into new international territories including the UK, is a test of appetite for a sector pinched by concerns over consumer spending, writes the FT
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Weekend PressLuke Johnson plots takeover of Wahaca restaurants
The tycoon, also a backer of Gail’s, is in talks to acquire the Mexican chain as it seeks a new investor to fund expansion, The Sunday Times reveals
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NewsTGI has ‘moved the needle’ since acquisition
Global president Phil Broad said TGI has “a long way to go” but its owners feel energized by the opportunities that lie ahead
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NewsChickpea appoints group ops director
Matthew Aitken-Case previously hed ops roles at Whitbread’s Bar + Block Steakhouse, Premier Inn, and Costa Coffee
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NewsLoungers launches family loyalty scheme
A partnership with Cawston Press, the Little Loungers Summer Passport offers children rewards, free food and drink items, and the chance to win family attractions tickets and back-to-school prize bundles
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NewsSafestay enters takeover talks
The London-listed hostel operator is in discussions with investment firm Infill Capital Partners over a possible £40.9m take private deal
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NewsRed Engine revamps Electric Shuffle gameplay
CEO Steve Moore said the company would dedicate 2026 to enhancing the Electric Shuffle experience through new gameplay developments aimed at ‘redefining’ the customer journey
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Analysis & InsightLeader confidence falls to 37%
Optimism among hospitality leaders has tumbled amid fears about operating costs and consumer spending, the latest Business Confidence Survey from NIQ and Zonal reveals
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Analysis & InsightDining for Data: Why AmericanExpress is betting big on reservation platforms
As Amex adds TheFork to a growing stable of restaurant-tech acquisitions, the payments giant is positioning itself at the centre of the dining journey. For operators, the trend offers both opportunity and a fresh set of questions about ownership of the customer relationship