All MCA Insight articles in March 2024 – Page 3
-
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
-
NewsChesterford makes strategic move into London
The group has acquired famous Muswill Hill fish and chip shop Toff’s, with plans to improve its tech capabilities and grow the brand across London
-
NewsPandemic-driven delivery boom stabilises
The delivery market is expected to grow +2.8% to a value of £14.1bn in 2024F, but there is work to do to cement habitual behaviour amongst consumers, according to Lumina Intelligence
-
NewsShepherd Neame sees drop-off of bottled beer
The Kent brewer has restrucured its packaging and logistics operation after a decline in cask ale and off-trade beer volumes, but sales of keg ale and craft lager reamin strong
-
NewsRedCat appoints director of F&B
David Peevers, formerly of Urban Pubs & Bars, Metropolitan and TRG, will join the senior leadership team and report to CEO Richard Lewis
-
NewsFresh tube and rail strikes in April and May
Members of the Aslef union will stage strikes across 16 rail companies as well as two 24-hour strikes on the London Underground in April and May
-
NewsUKHospitality cautions against above-inflation cost increases
The trade body welcomed the fall in inflation, but emphasised hospitality will bear the brunt of upcoming rises in business rates and wages
-
NewsSan Carlo: ‘It’s an exciting market out there’
Like-for-likes are in double-digit growth as the Italian restaurant group prepares to open six restaurants in the next 18 months, according to MD Marcello Distefano
-
InterviewsShepherd Neame: Normal patterns of demand and investment are returning
CEO Jonathan Neame discusses improving footfall and dwell time in London, the dampening impact of inclement weather on coastal towns, and when falling inflation might boost net disposable income among consumers
-
NewsShepherd Neame achieves record revenue
The Southeast-based pub operator saw revenue rise to £89m for the first half of the financial year, with strong like-for-like sales growth in both tenanted and retail pubs
-
InterviewsBubba Oasis sets sights on London expansion
The neighbourhood clubhouse brand sees opportunity for its unique positioning as daytime co-working space and late-night party spot
-
Analysis & InsightRestaurant delivery sales rise 8% in February
An inflation-beating increase also means the UK’s managed restaurant groups have generated growth in at-home sales for nine months in a row
-
NewsLoungers appoints CFO
Stephen Marshall will replace Gregor Grant as chief financial officer at the all day café/bar/restaurant operator
-
NewsGusto Italian launches subscription-based loyalty scheme in casual dining first
The group has become the first casual dining brand to launch a scheme that allows guests to access benefits by paying upfront
-
OpinionThe writing’s on the wall, literally
Peter Martin considers how wine in the on-trade can recapture the attention of younger customers amid a trend of falling consumption among millenialls and Gen Zs
-
Analysis & InsightSix Nations provides 23% boost for pubs
The volume of transactions at pub and bars was also up 19% on Super Saturday, as Ireland took home the Six Nations title
-
NewsXP Factory sees potential for over 150 UK sites
The competitive socialising business sees opportunity to scale the business considerably domestically and internationally, and said the focus would remain in the UK in the short-term
-
NewsMajestic Wines in talks to buy Vagabond
Majestic, which is owned by Punch Pubs backer Fortress Investment Group, could strike a deal to buy Vagabond within days, Sky News reports
-
InterviewsBewiched Coffee shifts focus to drive-thru
The Midlands based business has five drive thru sites in the pipeline, and looks towards opening the first with a coffee roastery on site at Wellingborough Glenvale Park, founder Matt Fountain tells MCA
-
Analysis & InsightShelley Sandzer: Manchester experiencing ’tremendous momentum’
The Northwest city has the fastest growing F&B scene in the UK and has been embraced by many London operators, Ted Schama tells the R200 conference