All MCA Insight articles in October 2025
View all stories from this issue.
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NewsRed Engine agrees further £10m investment
The new financing, from Santander, HSBC, and Barclays, will enable the operator to continue expanding its Flight Club and Electric Shuffle brands
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NewsUK sales growth drives results for Nero Group
The parent company behind Caffè Nero delivered record sales of £166m in the first quarter of its financial year, boosted by 7% growth in the UK
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NewsMiddletons appoints advisors to assess options
Trading at the steakhouse & grill concept has been adversely impacted by the current economic factors, particularly rising food costs and changes in consumer spending habits
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Analysis & Insight‘There’s such appetite for innovation’ – hospitality leaders on new formats, tech opportunities and food development
Leaders from some of the UK hospitality sector’s biggest groups, including Wingstop, Leon, German Doner Kebab, Moto Hospitality and Franco Manca gathered for a roundtable ahead of MCA’s Innovation Conference last week to discuss how they are evolving their businesses for the future
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NewsGerry’s Hot Subs closes successful fundraising round
The American-style premium subs concept, led by Bodean’s founder Andre Blais, has secured £250k in new investment to help fund its next two openings
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NewsHonest Burgers turns a profit for first time since 2020
The burger restaurant company has re-financed its debt to enable further expansion, with the new bank facilities expiring in 2030
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NewsEvolv Collection sets out expansion plans for Sartoria brand
The London-based group is to relaunch restaurants in South Kensington and Battersea Power Station under the Italian concept, with a further opening on Liverpool Street also planned
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NewsStonegate appoints new MD for managed business
The pub and bar group has appointed former Wagamama COO Nigel Sherwood to oversee its managed business as it continues to streamline the division’s portfolio, with Carol Campbell to step down.
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NewsGail’s: ‘We’re at the point of growing up the business’
Gail’s MD Nick Ayerst told MCA’s Innovation Conference that the rapidly expanding bakery chain is looking to grow its estate from 180 to 300 sites
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Analysis & InsightHospitality remains at core of communities
Sixty-six percent of consumers feel the hospitality sector plays an important role in their communities, with 74% agreeing the sector needs greater support from government, a new report from Zonal has found.
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NewsMitchells & Butlers: ‘AI helps us move faster’
The managed pub and restaurant operator has integrated artificial intelligence into its operations to improve efficiency in menu development, marketing and customer service, according to director of digital product and transformation Richard Whitehouse
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NewsCombined Gordon Ramsay group posts £134m sales
The business is headquartered in London and currently has 97 restaurants globally: 32 in the UK, 37 in North America, and 28 in other international markets
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NewsMarket Place: ‘Leicester Square is our biggest leap forward yet’
The London-based food hall operator is set to take over a huge five-storey site that will feature sixteen independent kitchens and three standalone bars
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EventsMCA Hospitality Awards 2026: Nominations deadline extended
As a valued MCA subscriber, your opinion really counts, so please do submit your nominations across the 12 available categories, before the deadline on Monday 27 October.
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Analysis & InsightMarginal uplift in eating out spend
Restaurants, café and bakeries saw spend growth of 0.8% in September 2025, however transaction volumes were down 2.1%, according to the latest monthly report from Barclays.
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NewsValiant achieves positive EBITDA in FY25
The community-focused pub company, founded in 2021 by Gerry Carroll and Mark McGinty, added 24 sites to its estate last year, with its estate totalling 80 pubs by the year end.
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InterviewsHawksmoor: ‘Belonging’ embedded into DEI and measured in the numbers
The restaurant group wanted ’belonging’ at the heart of its DEI (diversity, equity & inclusion) strategy in order that its people feel safe, seen and supported, Hawksmoor’s head of HR Sofia Gassne tells MCA, in the second of a spotlight series sponsored by Carlsberg Britvic
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NewsChaiiwala appoints COO
Ben Clayton was previously MD of KFC franchisee Splendid Restaurants, and has also held senior roles at TGI Fridays and Papa John’s
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NewsPopeyes UK: ‘We wanted to do innovation our own way’
Changes introduced by Popeyes UK included new uniforms and store designs, as well as changes to the music played in the restaurants
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NewsMW Eat ‘significantly more profitable’ despite negligible sales increase
The London-based operator behind Indian fine dining restaurants Chutney Mary and Veeraswamy reported a pre-tax profit of £4.4m for the year ended 30 March 2025