All MCA Insight articles in October 2023
View all stories from this issue.
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Analysis & Insight‘We’ve been through a hell of a lot, but we’re more prepared’: the state of operator confidence in 2023
Wavering consumer sentiment has been a core focus during a year marred by cost of living pressures and inflation, but how confident are the sector’s leaders? In this immersive, data-driven feature, MCA takes a closer look at operator optimism, and decision-makers’ hopes and fears going into 2024, with exclusive data from Lumina Intelligence
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NewsAdrian Cook steps down from Costa
Adrian Cook has stepped down as managing director – International for Costa Coffee after two years with the coffee shop chain
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ArticleNOVEMBER 2023
MCA’s November edition features in-depth analysis and commentary on the eating and drinking out sector. This month, we explore high profile deals including McWin Capital Partners’ acquisition of experiential dining champions Big Mamma Group and Apollo Global Management’s bid to take The Restaurant Group private. The edition also examines what optimism among operators looks like and the emergence of restaurants supplanting nightclubs through the party dining phenomenon. The edition includes interviews with Honest Burgers about the soon to be launched QSR spinoff; KFC about its runway for growth in the UK; Sexy Fish about evolving its experiential dining offer; and Burger & Lobster as it looks to pick up its place of expansion. Industry commentators Peter Martin, Dominic Walsh, and David Read share their views on sector issues, including Mitchells & Butlers’ approach to innovation, the rise and fall of Cobra beer, and the role of hospitality in driving changes in the food system.
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Analysis & InsightFrom stuffy basements to hipster haunts: the evolution of the modern wine bar
Until recently, wine bars were often considered inaccessible and snobby. As a new wave of contemporary natural wine bars pop up, MCA explores the evolution of the category and its potential to grow beyond trendy independents
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NewsMCA relaunches flagship awards
MCA’s Hospitality Awards 2024, formerly the Retailers’ Retailer Awards, launched yesterday - with nominations now open
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Analysis & InsightContemporary fast-food players driving QSR outlet growth
Players such as Popeyes and Wendy’s are expected to lead outlet growth in 2023, according to Lumina Intelligence
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NewsEG Group completes £2bn sale to Asda
The group has completed the sale of the majority of its UK & Ireland fuel, foodservice, grocery, and merchandise business to Asda and further announced a $500m Term Loan B add-on
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NewsHospitality driving uptick in company insolvencies
Accommodation and food service activities are among the industries that experienced the highest number of insolvencies over the last twelve months, with increases in the sector of 48%.
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Analysis & InsightKFC calls on businesses to tackle hiring inequality
A study by the fast food chain and youth charity UK Youth found that inequality of opportunity and a culture of nepotism are preventing many young people from landing their first job
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NewsReal Brewing Pub Company enters administration
The pub company arm of Derby Brewing Company has entered administration, but will continue to operate two of its sites under a new, smaller pub company
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NewsByron estate drops to single figures
The burger chain was acquired in a pre-pack deal by Tristar Foods Limited in January, and has since closed its restaurants in Ipswich, Oxford and Norwich.
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Analysis & InsightRetail inflation at lowest level in a year
Now at 5.2%, falling shop price inflation could boost households’ income and spending in time for Christmas, the busiest period of the year for consumer spending
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Analysis & InsightGreat experiences key to loyalty
A report from Zonal found more than half (52%) of consumers have higher expectations of brands due to cost-of-living, rising to 64% among 18-to-24-year-olds
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NewsMcDonald’s: Saver menu drives market share
Accessibly priced combos have driven share in core day parts, while the McCrispy chicken continues to be highly popular in the UK, according to CEO Chris Kempczinski
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NewsOle & Steen appoints MD
Graham Hollinshead is formerly of SoHo House, Caravan, Starbucks and Rockwater
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NewsCosta Express grows sales to £348m
The self-serve coffee business installed 1,466 machines in 2022, but operating profit was down due to higher costs
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NewsPizza Express Club app hits 2m members
The loyalty scheme launched in December 2021 and is a key strand of the brand’s digital transformation and omnichannel strategy
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NewsPret sees opportunity for up to 3,000 US stores
The company aims to reach the 300-site mark in the US by 2028 as it accelerates expansion, according to Pret US president Jorie Bruffett
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NewsJason Cotta steps down as Ole & Steen CEO
Jesper Dixen, chief commercial officer for Denmark-based Lagkagehuset, will serve as interim group CEO as Cotta steps down after four years with the Danish bakery chain
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Analysis & InsightFurther pub closures forecast for 2024
A combination of energy costs, business rates, and tax pressures will see another 750 pub closures in the first half of 2024, according to Frontier Economics