All MCA Insight articles in November 2023
View all stories from this issue.
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InterviewsD&D London deal helps group ‘get its mojo back’
CEO David Loewi tells Restaurant that closures such as Klosterhaus and Haugen were “casualties of Covid” after working from home decimated the corporate market.
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NewsAndrew Andrea joins C&C Group as CFO
The former Marston’s CEO will reconnect with C&C chairman Ralph Findlay, who he worked alongside for many years at the pub company and brewer
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InterviewsWhich Wich plots nationwide rollout
The premium sandwich specialist is looking to reach 100 sites within the next six or seven years, UK MD Rami Awada tells MCA
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InterviewsMarston’s: ‘It’s been a year of simplification’
Marston’s streamlined estate and strong set of financial results leave the pubco in good stead as incoming CEO Justin Platt takes over, CFO Hayleigh Lupino tells MCA
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Analysis & InsightEating out occasions driven by necessity
Consumers are increasingly opting for low ticket meal occasions and affordable channels, according to Lumina Intelligence
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NewsHospitality industry ’breathing sigh of relief’ after RMT pay deal
Members of the biggest rail workers’ union voted to accept a deal to end their long-running dispute over pay - protecting hospitality businesses from RMT strikes over the critical festive period
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NewsOpenings of the week
MCA rounds up this week’s biggest opening and acquisition stories, including ZULA, Los Mochis, Azteca and Level X
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NewsNando’s seeks new CEO
Group CEO Rob Papps is currently leading the UK&I business on an interim basis, as the peri-peri chicken chain reports a return to opreating profit
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NewsNightcap CFO steps down
Toby Rolph will step down after nearly three years with the late night operator, with Richard Haley appointed interim CFO
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NewsItsu snaps up Jason Cotta
The former Ole & Steen CEO joins itsu as chief growth officer, as the healthy eating brand plans to open 20 new locations in 2024
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InterviewsFive Guys: ‘It’s an analogue brand in a digital world’
CEO John Eckbert speaks to MCA about hitting new sales records, moving towards the 300-site mark in the UK and introducing a vegetarian offer for the first time
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InterviewsM&B: ‘All parts of the market are recovering’
CEO Phil Urban speaks to MCA about making 20-30 conversions to Ego, why Nicholson’s is the top-performing wet-led brand in the stable, and how its new smokehouse concepts is inspired by Old Orleans
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ArticleDECEMBER 2023
MCA’s December edition features in-depth analysis and commentary on the eating and drinking out sector. This month, we explore how slowing inflation and recovering consumer confidence have buoyed festive trading prospects, Young’s bid to take over City Pub Group and its ambition to branch out from its regional roots, and why geopolitical tensions have pushed corporations like McDonald’s and Starbucks on the back foot. The edition features an analysis on the evolution of wine bars, detailing their shift from dusty basements to hipster hangouts, and also examines how operators are innovating to stand out in a crowded pizza market. Highlights from MCA’s Restaurant Conference in the edition include interviews with PizzaExpress CEO Paula Mackenzie, former Fulham Shore boss David Page, and Turtle Bay, Caravan, and Red Engine chair Jane O’Riordan. Industry commentators Peter Martin, Dominic Walsh, and David Read share their views on sector issues, such as the rebuilding of Britain’s infrastructure, dealmaking activity and people moves in the pub sector, and the compound effects of high inflation numbers.
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NewsOttolenghi reports strong trading
The group, which operates sites including Nopi and Rovi in London’s West End, reported turnover of £27.8m in the year to March 2023
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NewsCooks Coffee: Growth underpinned by strong demand
The 68-strong Esquires operator reported a 22% increase in UK store sales in the six months to 30 September
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NewsM&B reports record market outperformance
The Toby Carvery and Harvester operator reported like-for-like growth across its portfolio, with total revenue of £2,503m for the year ended 30 September
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NewsRedemption Roasters to launch fresh crowdfunding campaign
The London-based coffee brand is set to launch a campaign with Crowdcube to expand its 10-strong estate and e-commerce channel
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NewsGreggs to open first ever ‘fine-dining’ bistro
The ”all-day dining destination” will serve a limited-edition breakfast, brunch and lunch menus from a Parisian-inspired designed space in Newcastle’s Fenwicks department store.
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NewsEG Group: Foodservice represents significant growth opportunity
The group’s foodservice gross profit increased by 24% to £174.1m in Q3 2023, boosted by improved margins across the UK and Ireland
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Analysis & InsightApollo’s TRG bid creates ‘fear of missing out’
The investment giant has fired the starting pistol on dealmaking activity, and will encourage rival firms to revisit the sector for fear of being too late, according to AlixPartners MD Graeme Smith