All MCA Insight articles in March 2024 – Page 9
-
NewsVagabond undertakes restructuring process
The Imbiba-backed, London-based wine bar chain attributed the decision to legacy Covid debts, cost pressures, and the forced closure of the company’s Heathrow venue - albeit all other locations remain open and trading
-
NewsEG Group grows foodservice sales
The group reported £243m in foodservice sales in Q4, driven by its focus on pricing and operating efficiencies as well as the ongoing foodservice investment programme
-
NewsYoung’s completes acquisition of City Pub Group
The deal will significantly strengthen Young’s’ presence in London and in new geographies, while bringing together two ‘complementary, culturally, strategically aligned’ businesses
-
Analysis & InsightRestaurants see double-digit drop in spend in February
Barclaycard reports that spending on takeaways and fast food increased 5% year-on-year, while spend on restaurants contracted 13.4%
-
NewsNoble Hospitality: ‘We’re always looking for new opportunities’
CEO Paul Sarlas and Chotto Matte founder Kurt Zdesar talk to MCA about growing the Angus Steakhouse and Alley Cats Pizza brands and the Nikkei concept’s launch in Manchester later this year
-
Analysis & InsightNight time economy report paints picture of struggling sub-sector
Productivity and profitability remain constrained despite some recovery in consumer spend, according to the Night Time Industries Association
-
Analysis & InsightFoodservice price inflation inches down
The CGA Prestige index showed foodservice inflation was 12.6% in January, the seventh consecutive month-on-month fall, with expectations of further falls ahead - though the sector still remains in a period of ”unprecedented price increases”
-
NewsEconomic headwinds cause loss for Upham Group
The Hampshire-based premium pub operator grew sales to £18.4m but posted a loss of £780k for 2023
-
NewsBlack Sheep Coffee makes Middle East debut
The two new coffee shops in Dubai are the first of a planned 250 sites with Al Farran Group over the next 15 years
-
Weekend PressLondon’s Tube and train fares to be cut on Fridays to lure people back to the city
Sadiq Khan wants more people in London on Fridays in the hope it will provide a big boost for the hospitality sector, Sky News reveals
-
Weekend PressForget the influencers, Michelin star restaurant patrons really are just there for the food
According to The Telegraph, people are three times more likely to frequent an esteemed restaurant for the service and food than for bragging rights
-
Weekend PressWingstop UK ranked as top restaurant in FT 1000
The chicken wing chain has been listed in the Financial Times’ annual ranking of Europe’s fastest-growing companies
-
Weekend PressHow to rebuild Crooked House — the wonkiest pub in the UK
As Britain’s “wonkiest” pub is set to rise from the rubble and be rebuilt brick by brick, The Sunday Times explores how the Crooked House could be resurrected
-
Weekend PressMore than 1,200 pubs closed in the past year. Here’s why
Rising wage bills, falling trade and the shift towards ‘pre-drink drinks’ at home mean many bars are struggling to stay open, reports The Sunday Times
-
NewsPapa John’s to close 50 underperforming UK sites
The closures are part of a process to reposition and optimise its UK business model as the pizza chain reports a decline in international sales in 2023
-
Analysis & InsightUK restaurant wage growth outpaces other countries
The median base wage growth for a restaurant worker was higher than growth observed across the US, Canada and Japan, but below the UK rate of inflation
-
NewsBob & Berts targeting 100-site mark
The 30-strong coffee shop chain has lifted its long-term growth target and identified the out-of-town retail park market as a new area for growth in the UK
-
NewsHeavenly Desserts set for further expansion
The c50-strong dessert restaurant group has several locations lined up in the UK and Germany, as it looks to open 20 sites per year across Europe
-
Analysis & InsightZero Carbon Forum responds to Sustainable Restaurants report
The non-profit organisation said the Which? Sustainable Restaurant report does not reflect the sector’s progress on sustainability
-
NewsOnly A Pavement Away places 450 in hospitality jobs
The charity believes it can scale services to support 9,250 people by 2029, with a cumulative investment of £473m added to the UK economy.