All MCA Insight articles in March 2024 – Page 2
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NewsRevolution Bars ‘actively exploring’ all options
The pub and bar operator confirmed it is engaging with shareholders to fundraise, while exploring strategic options including a restructuring or partial or full sale
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InterviewsKeystone Brewing Group: ‘We fell in love with the beer sector’
Following the rebranding of Breal Group, Keystone Brewing CEO Mark Williams speaks to MCA about resuscitating ailing breweries while building an estate of pubs - all part of a plan to grow sales to £100m by 2028
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Analysis & InsightBeringea: ‘Farmer J has flourished’
Managing partner Stuart Veale explains the rationale behind Beringea’s recent £5.5m investment in the London-based brand and explores its growth to date
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InterviewsWetherspoon eyes franchising abroad
Chairman Sir Tim Martin said the business is considering opening franchise pubs in airports outside the UK, as it makes its way towards the 1,000 pub milestone
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InterviewsThesleff Group targets strategic expansion
The Markus Thesleff led business is gearing up for its most ambitious project to date; the 14,000 sqft Los Mochis London City, whilst the group eyes international brand expansion in the US and Middle East
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NewsBig Mamma pushes ahead with global expansion
The Italian restaurant group said its acquisition by McWin would support its global expansion plans in Europe, the Middle East and United States
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NewsGail’s owners could begin sales process this year
Sky News reports Bain Capital Credit and EBITDA Investments, a fund backed by Henry McGovern of McWin, are drawing up plans to appoint bankers, potentially before the end of this year
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NewsIndividual Restaurants expands Piccolino
The brand, backed by the founding families of Iceland supermarket, is opening in Henley-on-Thames and Marlow in the summer of 2024
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NewsArc Inspirations secures £7m
The funding from lender HSBC and shareholders including BGF will support plans for four sites a year over the next five years
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NewsTim Martin: ‘We got a rush of blood to the head’
The Wetherspoons chairman told Sky the pub company had sometimes doubled up in towns were it should have kept to just one pub
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NewsHeartwood acquires historic East Barnet pub from Stonegate
The Prince of Wales, established in 1876, was the subject of a campaign from local residents and politicians after it emerged it would close
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Weekend PressWhitbread takes the axe to Beefeaters and Brewers Fayre pubs
Bosses have instructed adviser Christie & Co to sell between 30 and 50 of its worst-performing sites, according to The Sunday Times
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Weekend PressMan City owner Sheikh Mansour circles The Ivy as chain goes up for sale
The football club owner wants to buy Richard Caring’s starry restaurants, reports The Sunday Times
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Weekend PressThree cheers for the pub
Traditional drinking holes are becoming scarcer as big chains move in, The Financial Times writes
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ArticleAPRIL 2024
MCA’s April edition reflects on the prestigious MCA Hospitality Awards and celebrates the outstanding concepts, individuals, and deals that defined success in the sector this year. This month, we also hear from Tom Gatehouse, senior trends strategist at Egg Soldiers, who explores how an increasing demand for globally inspired eating experiences is leading operators to forage even further afield for new flavours. Coverage from the Food to Go Conference features comment from Wingstop, Ole & Steen, Pret, Leon, Krispy Kreme, Fireaway, Joe & The Juice and Taco Bell. Interviews come from Hertfordshire-based pub operator McMullen’s, who toast buoyant trading in the capital, amidst the resurgence of tourism and the office Christmas party, and with Cornish Bakery CEO Steve Grocutt, who explains his strategy to build a bigger business that thinks and feels like an independent. Valuable insights from industry commentators Peter Martin, Dominic Walsh, and David Read include an exploration of the multifaceted vision of Caffè Nero’s founder, Gerry Ford, and why operators should consider revitalising their wine lists to cater to changing consumer preferences among young drinkers.
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NewsIn pictures: The MCA Hospitality Awards 2024
The leading players in the hospitality sector gathered at The Guildhall last week, with Dishoom, Albert’s Schloss, Loungers and Gail’s all taking home a trophy
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NewsPopeyes opens four in 10 days
The Louisiana fried chicken brand has opened in Country Durham retail park, Bishop Aukland retail park, and Exeter High Street, part of a plan to open 30 new sites in 2024
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NewsRob Lynch swaps Papa Johns for Shake Shack
Lynch, who has been CEO at the pizza chain since 2019, suceeds Randy Garutti at the premium burger brand
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NewsOpenings of the week
MCA rounds up the week’s biggest openings stories, including German Doner Kebab, Inn Collection Group, Proper Pubs and more
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NewsSales continue to improve at Wetherspoons
Like-for-like sales were up 10% in the second half of FY24, while reveue grew by 8% to £991m. Chairman Tim Martin said pubs were generating 50% more sales than ten years ago, with ambitions to grow the estate to 1,000