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All MCA Insight articles in May 2026 – Page 4
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InterviewsAuntie Anne’s UK growing ahead of other international markets
Managing director Max Burton tells MCA like-for-like growth remains strong, with the food to go chain planning to reach 50 sites this summer and 100 by 2030
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InterviewsPunch Pubs: Higher inflation ‘doesn’t give a lot of concern’
The pubco is fairly well hedged on energy costs, and does not expect to see a material change in profits as a result of energy price inflation, according to CFO Steve Dando
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NewsEvolv Collection reports £151.6m revenue
The Martin Williams-led group describes the 15 months to December 2025 as a ‘transformative period’ that has led to ‘dramatically improved’ profitability
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InterviewsMarkus Thesleff: ‘The goal is always the same: creating experiences that make people happy’
With Thesleff Group opening its much-anticipated modern Japanese dining and drinking concept MA/NA, in Mayfair, last week, MCA speaks to its founder about the new venue, its focus on international expansion, and the growth of experience-led hospitality
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NewsDeliveroo sees UK gross order volumes jump 20%
CEO Miki Kuusi said the delivery aggregator has been ‘scrambling to get enough riders on the streets’ after seeing an acceleration of volumes in recent months
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InterviewsStar Pubs: ‘We’ve got huge opportunity in our existing estate’
The latest £44m investment into hundreds of Star Pubs represents a major commitment from owner Heineken, MD Lawson Mountstevens tells MCA
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NewsEG On The Move and Taster team up on SpudExpress rollout
Fifteen locations are already confirmed to open in 2026, within EG’s petrol forecourt network, as part of wider plans for 30 sites over the next three years.
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Analysis & InsightDip in takeaway and fast food spend last month
The London Marathon boosted pub trade in April in an otherwise flat month for growth in the wider eating and drinking out sector, driven by declining spend on takeaways and fast food, according to the latest Barclays Consumer Spend Report.
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Analysis & InsightDiscretionary spend predicted to decline further due to Middle East war
The war in the Middle East is expected to worsen longstanding challenges for hospitality businesses, which have already recorded a 30% fall in real-terms spending since 2019, according to EY
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InterviewsMartin Williams: ‘The global appeal of Evolv’s brands is incredibly strong’
The Evolv Collection CEO tells MCA the group is looking to expand its footprint further in New York and potentially bring its US-founded Queensyard restaurant concept to the UK
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NewsMarston’s sees profits up despite revenue dip
Underlying profit before tax rose by 7.9%, to £20.5m, for the 26-weeks to 28 March 2026, with the pub group’s investment in new formats, including Grandstand and Two-Door, delivering strong sales momentum.
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NewsGreggs reports improving like-for-like sales performance
Greggs reports a 2.5% increase in like-for-like sales for the 19 weeks to 9 March 2026, as it gears up to open its first international airport location, in Tenerife.
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NewsXP Factory remains confident about Boom despite continued sales decline
Chief executive Richard Harpham says the group remains confident in the future of its competitive socialising business Boom Battle Bar, despite an 8% drop in like-for-like sales during FY2026.
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NewsSurge in takeaway closures due to spiralling costs
More than 500 takeaway food businesses closed their doors for good in the year to April, due to the rising cost of employment and food, with fish and chip shops particularly effected.
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NewsF1 Arcade names new CEO as Jonathan Peters departs
Former Gordon Ramsay Restaurants COO Mat Horvath is to step into the driver’s seat at the competitive socialising group as it enters ‘a new phase of scale and operational focus’
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NewsMarston’s: ‘We have a 600-pub conversion opportunity’
Chief executive Justin Platt said there was a clear roll out opportunity, with market mapping of its current estate suggesting that around 250 of its sites would be suitable for conversion to its successful local sports bar format Grandstand.
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Analysis & InsightGeopolitical shocks threaten to drive foodservice cost increases despite March price dip
The latest data from NIQ and Prestige Purchasing suggests that despite a 1.4% fall in food and drink prices in March further rises are likely in the coming months
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InterviewsGreggs open to further international expansion
CEO Roisin Currie said that going international was “part of the agenda” for some years now, with further potential based on the success of the Tenerife debut
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NewsIncipio Group confirms June opening for four new concepts at Olympia
The news comes as the 140-year-old landmark prepares to reopen following a £1.3bn development, which will also see it launch live entertainment venue British Airways ARC and the Hyatt Regency London Olympia
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NewsSales surpass £50m for Rosa’s Thai
The Thai restaurant group has reported 7.3% sales growth in the year to 30 March 2025, and has also agreed a debt finance deal with its new banking partner, OakNorth