All MCA Insight articles in May 2025 – Page 10
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InterviewsActivate targets 30 sites as We Do Play eyes national expansion
We Do Play co-founder Richard Beese tells MCA the business is pushing for rapid expansion after the “phenomenal” response to its first UK location
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NewsPatisserie Valerie owner posts full-year loss
Flour Power Group’s total sales held steady at £25.3m, with growth in online and wholesale helping to balance out higher costs
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Analysis & InsightWagamama set to lead outlet and revenue growth in 2025
The casual dining chain is working towards its 200-site target, supported by brand strength, pricing power, and digital engagement, according to Lumina Intelligence
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NewsVarious Eateries reports profit growth as new sites lift sales
Like-for-like sales during the period were flat, reflecting the later timing of Easter this year, but have since risen 1.3% in the five weeks of post-period trading
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NewsIndian chefs to access UK hospitality roles under new trade deal
Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said the deal includes “modest changes” to business mobility, with a cap of 1,800 professionals able to access the UK
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NewsPopeyes UK appoints Jo Vaughton as CMO
Joining in June, Vaughton most recently worked at PizzaExpress as marketing director and has held senior roles at InterContinental Hotels Group and Celebrity Cruises
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NewsJD Wetherspoon posts 5.6% LFL sales uplift
Total sales increased 5% in the quarter and 4.2% year to date, slightly behind LFLs due to a small number of disposals. The operator exited seven sites during the period but offset this with two openings and four additional pubs launched with Haven
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NewsTasty returns to profit following site closures and restructuring
Revenue dropped 21.9% to £36.6m, largely due to the reduced estate and one fewer trading week, while LFL sales declined 4.5%
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NewsPret’s Clare Clough promoted to MD UK & Europe
Previously responsible for Pret’s UK shop estate of more than 480 shops, Clough’s new role will see her take on around 100 additional shops across Europe
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EventsTwo weeks to go until Hostech 2025
Book your tickets now to hear from the likes of Costa, Pizza Pilgrims, Tortilla, and Majestic Wines at the conference on 22 May
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InterviewsBig Fang prepares for growth with streamlined model and site upgrades
The experiential leisure operator is focusing on brand consistency and operational refinement as it prepares for its next phase of growth, with no new site openings planned in 2025
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InterviewsCRG targets 10 Mowchi sites by end of 2025
The Asian street food concept is set to reach 10 UK sites by the end of the year, with four to five openings planned in the near term
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NewsDeliveroo agrees £2.9bn sale to DoorDash
Under the terms of the acquisition, each Deliveroo shareholder will be entitled to receive 180 pence in cash per share, with the implied enterprise value of Deliveroo approximately £2.4bn.
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InterviewsHeineken to invest £40m in Star Pubs in 2025
The investment will support community pubs across rural and suburban locations, with 104 of the sites receiving large-scale refurbishments of £120k or more, in a bid to “make them more relevant to a broader number of consumers”, Chris Moore, Star Pubs property director, tells MCA
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OpinionSISU: Make your people experience strategy personal
Olajide Alabi, co-founder at people experience agency SISU, challenges traditional approaches to people strategy and discusses the benefits from putting authenticity, vulnerability, and cultural awareness at the heart of workplace experience
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NewsPapa John’s closes 13 South West restaurants after franchise partnership ended
The pizza delivery business ended the agreement with its regional after a review of the business and said it would be looking to reopen the affected stores as soon as possible
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NewsMcDonald’s threatened with sale of shares over trafficked workers
The Church of England is threatening to sell its shares in the fast-food chain unless it engages more with the church’s concerns about modern-day slavery
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NewsXP Factory reports bar revenue up 30%
Boom Battle Bar has seen revenues increase by almost a third, helping drive up the experiential leisure business’ total revenue by 17% for the year ended 31 March 2025.
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NewsActivist investor builds stake in Upper Crust owner SSP
Irenic Capital, which was part of a campaign at The Restaurant Group, has acquired 2% of shares and is pushing for improved profits
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NewsLabour risks ‘taxing high streets out of existence’
The increase to employers’ National Insurance and minimum wage squeezes shops and restaurants, says the industry