All MCA Insight articles in November 2024
View all stories from this issue.
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Analysis & InsightViral food trends – it’s mostly a question of opportunity
From viral pistachio milk chocolate bars, to Irish-Chinese spice bags, the drivers of social media success can be tricky to unpick, but there are often learnings to take away, Tom Gatehouse of Egg Soldiers suggests
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NewsNando’s reveals next expansion push
The restaurant group increased revenue to £1.4bn in the year to February 2024, and will open 14 new restaurants across the UK in the current financial year
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NewsWendy’s UK launches new app
The loyalty scheme comes as the American QSR chain continues its expansion push across the UK, having recently signed up new franchisee Khidmat
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Newsitsu secures partnership with Emirates Stadium
The health-focused Asian-inspired brand has signed a deal with catering business Delaware North, which will see it deliver its sushi to the hospitality boxes at Arsenal’s football ground
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Analysis & InsightHigh quality, accessible offers drive restaurant market growth
Brands like Dishoom, The Ivy, and Miller & Carter are expected to continue robust growth, while legacy brands struggle to recover to pre-Covid levels, according to Lumina Intelligence
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NewsOpenings of the week
MCA rounds up this week’s biggest openings stories, featuring Fulham Shore’s Super Club Roma, Loungers’ newest Brightside, and more
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InterviewsJKS: Diversity can’t be a tick box exercise
There needs to be a belief in the benefits of a more diverse workforce if businesses are to make meaningful progress, JKS Restaurants’ co-founder Sunaina Sethi says
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NewsETM Group achieves double-digit turnover growth
The premium bar and restaurant group achieved turnover of £43.5m and secured new investment to support its growth, as well as new funding for the Ludo venture with St Austell
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Event NewsShare your rising star, sustainability and diversity stories
There are still three special judged categories open for submissions for the MCA Hospitality Awards 2025, with a final deadline of 3 March
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Analysis & InsightLoungers buyout makes ‘perfect sense’ for management and shareholders
The all-day operator is the latest in a growing list of hospitality groups to exit the public markets, with a share price that has failed to reflect the real value and potential of the business, analysts and commentators tell MCA
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NewsLuke Johnson warns his businesses ‘may not survive’ Labour
The chairman of Gail’s warned MPs that the Budget and Workers’ Rights Bill risked crushing the private sector and job creation
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NewsValiant Pub Co appoints MD of ops
Andy Parker previously worked with Valiant founders Gerry Carroll and McGinty at Hawthorn Leisure
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NewsPubs and distributors abandon Conor McGregor
Forged Irish Stourt, which was founded by the disgraced former mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter, has been dropped by Wetherspoons, Windmill Taverns and its distributor LWC
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Analysis & InsightDelivery volumes continue to grow
While at-home revenue growth is partly driven by increased prices, CGA’s latest Hospitality at Home Tracker shows an uptick in the volume of orders
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NewsPizzaExpress launches new Pod concept
The PizzaExpress Pod has opened at Tesco Extra in Southampton, offering customers their favourites on the go as well as a chance to redeem Tesco Clubcard points
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NewsWingstop appoints first CMO
Dirujan Sabesan has been appointed chief marketing officer as the QSR chain seeks to reinforce its position as a leader in youth culture and creative marketing
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NewsLoungers H1 revenue soars to £178m
The Lounge and Cosy Club operator grew revenue by 19.2%, supported by like-for-like growth of 4.7% and 17 new sites. CEO Nick Collins cited the quality and flexibility of the offering, along with the resilience of the UK consumer
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NewsLoungers to be acquired by Fortress Investment Group
The cash offer values Loungers at an enterprise value of approximately £350.5m, with Fortress saying the hospitality group holds a strong and differentiated position in its industry
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InterviewsJeremy King: ‘You must open restaurants you want to go to yourself’
The grandee of restaurants shared advice, anecdotes from learnings from a life in hospitality, including what made Le Caprice special
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InterviewsMitchells & Butlers toasts strong start to FY25
The group is cautiously optimistic amid the festive trading period, and will make pricing decisions to mitigate the impact of the Budget in the new year, CEO Phil Urban tells MCA