All MCA Insight articles in May 2025 – Page 4
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InterviewsMajestic: ‘Vagabond acquisition offers a huge data opportunity’
Majestic’s acquisition of wine bar concept Vagabond last year offers both parties the opportunity to strengthen their businesses through data, according to CEO John Colley
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NewsOpenings of the week
MCA rounds up this week’s biggest openings stories, including GDK, PizzaExpress, Sinners, and more
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NewsWagamama CEO Thomas Heier to step down
Wagamama UK CEO Thomas Heier will step down at the end of June after eight years with the brand, with current TRG CFO Mark Chambers set to take over
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NewsUKHospitality: Inflation figures ‘unsurprising’ given pressure on businesses
The government must look to bring down costs and it’s critical the Bank of England meets market expectations to lower interest rates, says CEO Kate Nicholls
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NewsMitchells & Butlers: Like-for-likes outperform market
The pub and restaurant operator reported like-for-like sales growth of 4.3% in its half-year results, with total revenue of £1,454m
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NewsFive Guys announces first airport location at Heathrow
The burger brand will open in Heathrow’s Terminal 5 later this year, offering a daytime and breakfast menu in a store with exclusive travel-friendly elements
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InterviewsTortilla: ‘There’s more potential for this business’
Investments into its F&B offer, tech, loyalty, and brand identity have helped drive a turnaround in sales in 2024, CEO Andy Naylor tells MCA
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Analysis & InsightDeloitte: restaurant operators must embrace innovation, sustainability and efficiency
Restaurant operators face rising complexity, but there are clear routes to growth for brands willing to rethink traditional models, according to Deloitte’s 2025 Future of Restaurants and Food Service report
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NewsXi Home founder planning expansion across London
Wenjun Xiang is looking to develop her three-strong Chinese restaurant business Xi Home Dumplings Bay, with the launch of additional concepts and is targeting new sites in the capital, she tells MCA.
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EventsPub sector financial outlook - navigating M&A in a volatile market
At MCA’s Pub Conference, Craig Rachel, director at AlixPartners, will provide a timely analysis of the financial landscape for mergers and acquisitions across the UK pub sector
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NewsBank holidays and VE Day deliver £69m sales boost for pubs
The BBPA projects that around 14 million additional pints will be sold this month compared to a typical month without public holidays
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NewsUK inflation to cause ‘greater squeeze on consumers’
Inflation rose more than expected to 3.5% in April, with the Bank of England’s chief economist warning rates were being cut too quickly
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NewsTortilla hails sales turnaround
UK like-for-like sales increased by 5.9% in Q1 2025, driven by investments in food, brand and technology
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EventsYolk and Vita Mojo on driving revenue through customisation
Taking place tomorrow at the Ham Yard Hotel, Nick Philpot, founder of Yolk, will be joined by Danna Gurbaxani, chief revenue officer at Vita Mojo, to explore the evolving role of personalisation in hospitality
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InterviewsGreggs sees improving picture but maintains cautious outlook
The bakery chain has seen an improving sales trend in recent weeks, but volumes remain “slightly down” as consumer confidence dipped in early 2025, according to CEO Roisin Currie
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InterviewsYolk: ‘We want to broaden our horizons’
Founder Nick Philpot speaks to MCA about a new direction for the 10-strong concept, which recently unveiled a rebrand as it seeks to cement itself in neighbourhoods and outside London
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InterviewsPopeyes UK and TDR Capital: ‘There is significant growth potential for the brand’
The right brand, the right time, and the right investor are the holy grail of factors which have aligned to create a “powerhouse brand moving at pace”, Popeyes UK chief executive Tom Crowley tells MCA
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NewsTOCA secures $35m in new funding
The sports entertainment and training concept seeks to fuel its international growth and expand its football training technology, with a third UK site to open in Westfield London
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NewsHAM Restaurant Group unveils latest project
With a bistro menu highlighting seasonal British and European produce, Canal will open in the Mason & Fifth property in Westbourne Park, from the team behind Bistro Freddie and Crispin
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Analysis & InsightQSR sector warned to brace for inflation
Prices for beef burgers in fast-food chains increased by 3% between January and April, with year-on-year inflation accelerating from 2% in January to 5% in April, according to Meaningful Vision