March 2020
Unfortunately one issue is dominating the news agenda. Coronavirus presents any number of difficulties for the industry and for now we are in the unenviable position of not knowing how severe they could be. Contributing editor Peter Martin and columnist Dom Walsh explore the issue in their latest columns.
February 2020
Now the new year is underway it’s great to be able to report on some good news revealed by MCA’s insight division, which predicts growth for casual dining and food to go. And speaking of the latter, if you missed the excellent Food to Go conference you can enjoy a roundup of the speakers and sessions in this issue.
There is also a similar roundup from our Hostech conference, which according to the feedback was the best one yet.
Elsewhere, Peter Martin looks at how the industry is tackling inequality, Dominic Walsh examines the changes at the top at Heineken and Baron Mark Price explains why a happier work force also makes for a happier set of accounts – and how to achieve it.
We also have interviews with the stylish Mel Marriot from Darwin & Wallace, Jamie Robertson from the progressive Roasting Plant Coffee, Eve Bugler from the kebab-loving Bababoom, and more.
January 2020
Happy new year! January might be a quiet time for the industry but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot going on in the background. The political situation may be relatively steady, but Peter Martin urges the government to do more for hospitality. We also have interviews with the Brasserie Bar Co, Peter Marks at Deltic, Roger Whiteside at Greggs and a profile of Padella.
Meanwhile Steve Gotham reveals who comes out on top when it comes to value, service and price, David Read investigates sustainability in the supply chain, Graeme Smith looks at what’s ahead for M&A and we examine all the work going on in casual dining to jump on the vegan trend. As ever there is also a round-up of the latest news, new openings and people moves.
December 2019
The build up to Christmas and New Year’s Eve is always a busy time for the industry and this year will be no exception. It’s also a good time to look back and reflect on the events of the last 12 months. In this issue, Alix Partners take a look back over the last 12 months in M&A and columnist Dom Walsh chooses his annual awards. It’s also been a year of challenges. Peter Martin dives into the challenge of hiring and retaining talent, while Georgia Cronin examines the dangerous world of allergens. But as ever, there is cause for optimism. Steve Gotham looks at the ever popular Nando’s, and our exclusive interviews with the new CEO at Paul, Mark Hilton, and Coco Di Mama MD Jim Attwood, reveal bright plans for the future.
November 2019
This month saw entirely predictable news with another delay to Brexit, but also the surprising sacking of McDonald’s CEO Steve Easterbrook. We take a look back at his transformative time at the food to go giant. Elsewhere the elusive Richard Caring opens up for a big interview alongside David Campbell to discuss the future for Bill’s, Caffé Nero CEO Will Stratton-Morris outlines his push towards premium and there is a profile of Canadian coffee chain Tim Horton’s as they settle into the UK.
Elsewhere, David Read has some advice for hospitality when it comes to squeezing the supply chain, Jasper Reid takes a deep dive into the market in India, Peter Martin takes a look at the rising demand for eco-friendly alternatives to meat and Steve Gotham says despite its woes Pizza Express has reasons to be cheerful.
October 2019
By the end of this month Brexit could be underway and what that means for the hospitality business remains to be seen, but there have been plenty of other issues to write about this month, from the national living wage to the price differential at Deliveroo. We also have interviews with the Ivy Collection MD Baton Berisha, Yo! CEO Richard Hodgson and a profile of Mosaic Pub and Dining.
Meanwhile, Peter Martin looks at Manchester’s first Michelin star for 40 years, Dominic Walsh ruminates on the rabid rantings to be found on Twitter and David Read examines the multiple cost pressures adding up for the industry.
It’s also been a busy month for events, and there is a comprehensive round-up of the Restaurant Conference as well as pictures from MCA’s networking events, Directors Club and FD Leaders. And there is a round-up of new openings and people moves.
September 2019
There was more M&A in the pub sector when a deal between Greene King and CK Asset Holdings was revealed, Georgi Gyton analyses the news while Peter Martin wonders who will be next.
Elsewhere there were big results in the shape of The Restaurant Group. Dominic Walsh looks at how it might fare in the future, whether new CEO Andy Hornby is the man for the job, and how he might go about turning TRG around.
Meanwhile, Steve Gotham looks at the growing efforts of the supermarkets to grab more of the food-to-go market and takes a trip to McDonald’s new ‘to go’ format and Finn Scott-Delany interviews up-and-coming fried chicken specialists Coqfighter and profiles the Inn Collection.
August 2019
After a busy few weeks of M&A activity, Dominic Walsh looks at some of the deals going on and examines the role played by activist investors, while Graeme Smith questions whether the current rate of M&A will slow anytime soon.
There are also interviews with Stonegate, EiG and analysis of the potential £3bn deal between the two pub groups. Meanwhile, Steve Gotham visits a new look Bill’s, Georgi Gyton takes a look at Hard Rock International’s new flagship café in Piccadilly Circus, Finn Scott-Delany interviews the boss of Bleecker Burger and MCA’s sister title Food Spark investigates the trend for vending machines serving up fresh salads.
July 2019
This month, amid a choppy political climate, Peter Martin looks at Michael Gove’s appointment of Henry Dimbleby to create a new food strategy for the UK. Meanwhile Jasper Reid reports back from the US, where different states can have wildly different operating costs and requirements that every UK operator should be aware of before taking the plunge across the Atlantic.
Meanwhile, columnist Dominic Walsh recounts an awkward encounter with Luke Johnson at Wimbledon, Public Health England CEO Duncan Selbie pens an open letter to the eating out industry imploring it to do more to tackle the obesity epidemic, and there are round-ups of the latest MCA Pub Conference, the Directors Club dinner and FD Leaders evening. This issue also profiles Turtle Bay, catches up with Patty & Bun and talks to Mexican concept Tocaya Organica and Sub Cult, as well as delivering a round-up of the latest news and openings.
June 2019
This month’s print edition of MCA leads on the battle of the delivery aggregators, as Deliveroo wins the backing of Amazon and declares its intention to become the “definitive food company”. We also examine what Uber Eats and Just Eat have been doing to stay competitive. Contributing editor Peter Martin makes the case that there’s no disgrace in getting wrong, in the wake of the Jamie Oliver collapse, while Dom Walsh celebrates Phil Urban’s record at M&B. Meanwhile we look into the viability of a four-day week, the impact of late-night levies, and discuss the biggest developments in technology at a roundtable event sponsored by Punchh. Our featured interviews cover Vagabond’s next steps as it seeks to roll out its model across the UK, Deltic’s new concept Eden and The Athenian’s journey from street food stall to celebrated souvlaki specialists.
May 2019
This month’s print edition of MCA examines the challenges associated with the proposed increase in the minimum wage. We hear from senior sector figures that the Government needs to propose a joined-up solution to ensuring fair pay for all. We also speak to the chief executive and chairman of Loungers about their IPO and why they are certain it will not change the company culture. We are also profiling Taco Bell as the US giant makes it second time lucky in its bid to expand across the UK. Established operator YO! Sushi, meanwhile, is reinventing itself to appeal to an evolving consumer basis, chief executive Richard Hodgson tells us. Plus, we kick off our series of features with the winners of the 2019 Retailers’ Retailer of the Year Awards by interviewing the founders of Caravan.
April 2019
This month’s print journal examines the topic of growth and how much appetite remains within the sector for aggressive expansion. MCA market insight director, Steve Gotham, asks whether the days of restaurant brands building to 100-plus sites is really over. Meanwhile deputy editor Georgi Gyton looks at the importance of culture and how operators can retain it as they grow. We focus on one brand that has certainly not stalled its expansion, with a look at how BrewDog has gone from a disruptor to a global beer titan in its own right. We also profile the most ambitious opening to date from Mitch Tonks’ Rockfish group and delve into the runners and riders of this year’s AlixPartners’ Growth Company Index, asking what it takes to be the fastest growing operator in the eating and drinking out sector.
March 2019
This month’s edition of MCA looks at the growing importance of healthier eating and ask whether the industry is doing enough to satisfy consumer demands. We also delve into the different ways operators are seeking growth in a challenging market, which increasingly means partnering with outside specialists, whether that is in retail, contract catering or travel hubs. This edition also includes features on the different way operators are ensuring the wellbeing of their staff, the latest developments in the delivery market, and profiles of Bill’s founder Bill Collison, Tonkotsu and East Coast Concepts.
February 2019
This month’s edition of MCA delves into the sensitive subject of communicating allergen information and to what extent the sector should shoulder the responsibility of individual choice. We also feature the first column from MCA’s contributing editor Peter Martin, returning to the title he co-founded in 1996, as well as chronicling the quiet growth of the dessert café segment, profiling The Alchemist’s Simon Potts and introducing a new feature on key markets for international growth.
January 2019
We look at the worrying signals from the health lobby about possible intervention in the way people eat and drink. Are proposals for calorie caps on specific dishes just the latest scare story or could it become a reality? We also profile the new brand from PizzaExpress, and talk to Bombay-style café concept Dishoom about taking their time rolling out into the regions, and Arc Inspirations, who have punchier plans and are looking for the backing to achieve it.
December 2018
In the final MCA journal of 2018, we bring you the headline findings from our Foodservice Delivery Report and focus on two key challenges for operators – people & property. In particular, we look into the changing nature of the high street, new charity Only A Pavement Away, which helps the homeless gain employment in hospitality, and explore opinions on the apprenticeship levy. We also profile the man who put Wagamama on the map, Ian Neill, and pay tribute to his mentor, Peter Boizot.
November 2018
MCA reflects on the big stories of the past month, including The Restaurant Group’s bid to acquire Wagamama; the decision by long-time Greene King CEO Rooney Anand to step down and GBK becoming the latest sector name to pursue a CVA. Among the profiles this month are the recently appointed chief executive of Gaucho, Martin Williams, on his vision for the future and the first interview with Clive Chesser, who left Greene King to head up Punch in the summer.
October 2018
The October edition includes key insights from MCA’s annual UK Restaurant Market Report, and interviews with Bistrot Pierre’s new chief executive Nick White, alongside its co-founder Robert Beacham, White Rabbit Fund’s founder Chris Miller, and coffee shop and wine bar Notes. It also contains analysis of the Irish pub sector, the re-modelling of the casual dining market, and looks at how operators are preparing their supply chain in the run up to Brexit.
September 2018
In the September edition, we talk to the key players in the delivery market as well as operators about the rise of virtual restaurants. We also bring you a rare interview with serial sector entrepreneur Richard Caring who talks about his plans for the Ivy Collection and Bill’s as well as his concerns about the pressures facing the sector. This edition also features in-depth discussions with YO! Sushi’s Richard Hodgson, as well as Pizza Hut’s Jens Hofma.
August 2018
In the August edition of MCA, we look at the latest data on growth within the eating out sector and how different segments are performing. This month’s edition also features interviews with Jason Clark, COO for McDonald’s UK; Toby Smith, CEO of Novus Leisure; Sam Lee, MD of Temper and Matt Snell, MD of Gusto. We also discuss the growth trajectory of healthy eating brand, Pure, and investigate the innovative work being done by companies across the sector to boost retention of staff.