All MCA Insight articles in November 2021
View all stories from this issue.
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Interviews
Inn Collection Group: ‘We’re not going to sit still’
Following the company’s reported £300m acquisition last week, MCA speaks to MD Sean Donkin about how the investment gives Inn Collection Group the financial firepower for group acquisitions, as well as a deep level of expertise in the leisure sector from its new investors
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Interviews
Uber Eats: ‘We have the best tech and the best team’
Newly appointed UK general manager Matthew Price tells MCA his number one priority is to bring more restaurants onto the platform
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Analysis & Insight
Signalling interest - could a sale of Punch be on the cards?
Could a sale of Punch be on the cards? With Fortress Investment Group reported to be in the running, MCA takes a look at what the deal could mean for Punch and the wider pub market
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News
Paul Campbell: ‘Plenty of room for specialty coffee expansion’
Speaking to MCA after joining 200 Degrees as chairman, he said there was scope to improve the coffee offering across the country
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Interviews
Marston’s: ‘We’re overexposed to the value market’
Marston’s CEO Andrew Andrea talks to MCA about the omicron variant, the pub company’s strategy to shift its food offer, and the more nimble executive team
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Analysis & Insight
Pan-Asian dishes becoming more mainstream
Pan-Asian dishes now make up 2.9% of all main dishes on chain restaurant menus, up from 2.4% in spring/summer 2019, according to Lumina Intelligence’s latest Menu Tracker analysis.
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News
Pret pilots Perks loyalty scheme
The scheme will be rolled out in phases, with Pret coffee subscribers getting early access to the programme as part of its beta testing
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News
Who is your Hero of the Year? Get your nominations in now
The Hero of the Year Award is back for MCA’s Retailers’ Retailer Awards 2022, with the nominations process now open.
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News
Itsu partners with Autogrill for Brussels opening
The new restaurant, which opens today, will be the first to be located in an international travel hub in mainland Europe
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News
Wetherspoon and Budweiser in new 20-year deal
It follows a 41-year association between Wetherspoon and Heineken as well as its predecessor, Scottish and Newcastle
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News
Pret announces Middle East partnership
One PM Franchising is a subsidiary of One Franchising Holding, a regional food and beverage operator with a presence across eight countries
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News
Liberation among pubs forced to swap expensive ingredients
Hake and sirloin steak are among the ingredients seeing such large inflationary price increases that menu swaps are on the cards
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News
Gail’s sees turnover drop, but expansion continues
Gail’s saw turnover decline from £61m in 2020 to £57m for the 52 weeks to 28 February 2021, despite opening five new retail bakeries over the course of the year.
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News
Big Smoke expands Punch partnership
Big Smoke Brew Co has grown its joint venture with Punch Pubs & Co to eight sites and hinted that further venues could be in the pipeline for 2022.
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News
NTIA: ‘The late-night sector is still extremely fragile’
The Night Time Industries Association welcomed the government’s decision not to impose additional restrictions on hospitality settings in the wake of the new Omicron variant.
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Weekend Press
Vegan and veggie meals far saltier than meat versions
A new study by Queen Mary University has found that plant-based burgers and other alternative foods are far saltier than their meat equivalents
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Weekend Press
Julian Metcalfe on seeking ruthless efficiency
The founder and CEO of Asian fast-food chain Itsu listens to staff and suppliers in a quest to keep meals at £7
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News
MCA’s December edition is available to read now
The latest issue features an in-depth look at the trading and consumer landscape of Birmingham, extensive coverage of MCA’s Restaurant Conference and analysis on Frankie & Benny’s.
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News
SSP names new group CEO
SSP has appointed current Greencore chief executive Patrick Coveney, as group CEO.
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News
Industry bodies rally against drink spiking
The joint action aims to bolster the work operators are doing to help protect customers amid increased reports of drink spiking