All MCA Insight articles in September 2021 – Page 6
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NewsAndy Hornby: “There is a long-term structural shift around delivery”
Following The Restaurant Group’s first-half results announcement MCA caught up with Andy Hornby, chief executive, to discuss recent trading.
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NewsLumina: Managed and independent pubs to lead market recovery
The UK pubs and bars market is predicted to exceed its 2019 value, and net pub closures to be offset, by 2024. The short-term focus should be on wet-led occasions, while also focusing on food quality and enhancing the digital experience.
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NewsPaul Scully: Pubs are top of my agenda
Business minister Paul Scully has told pub leaders the sector is an integral part of the nation’s recovery, and that pubs and the wider hospitality sector were top of his agenda.
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NewsEat Out to Help Out propels inflation to nine-year high
Inflation has soared to its highest level in nine years, with the Office for National Statistics (ONS) claiming this is down to last year’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme.
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NewsOakman Group boss reports strong trading
During the first ten weeks of its new financial year (5th July to 12th September) Oakman Group has reported total growth of 39.3% and like-for-like growth versus 2019 of 16.2%.
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NewsSnapshot: Poke House launches in the UK
European poke bowl chain Poke House has opened its first UK restaurant in London’s Notting Hill and is planning to expand further across the capital before pushing out nationwide.
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NewsHospitality boosted by return of office workers
Footfall and trading levels continue to improve week-on-week as we progress through September, with quick service outlets such as Pret A Manger and Black Sheep Coffee reporting significant increases in sales in key city centre locations. Restaurant operators such as Fulham Shore are also seeing improvements ...
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NewsGovernment revises border control timetable
The government has revised the timetable for the introduction of full import controls for goods being imported from the EU, in the wake of significant supply chain disruption following Brexit and the impact of the pandemic.
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NewsConcerns raised over government’s Plan B Covid measures
The hospitality sector has voiced its concerns over several of the government’s Plan B measures in its autumn and winter Covid plan – namely mandating working from home and the introduction of vaccine passports for crowded indoor venues.
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NewsWagamama achieves +21% like-for-like growth
The Restaurant Group has reported strong like-for-like sales since the reopening of indoor trading. But dine-in covers remain below 2019 equivalents, with much of the growth coming via delivery. During the 15 weeks to 29 August 2021, its Wagamama brand achieved +21% like-for-like growth versus its 2019 ...
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InterviewsDavid Page: ‘Fulham Shore can open up to 250 sites’
As trading volumes at Fulham Shore rise by a quarter, MCA spoke with David Page, executive chairman, to discover more about the company’s plans for expansion and an idea for a new store format, which highlights the need to cater for robust, ongoing delivery sales. Overall, the company is currently benefiting from a depleted retail sector, and from having retained most of its workforce. Looking forward, it has eyes on eventually opening up to 250 sites in the UK.
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NewsBain Capital acquires Gail’s owner Bread Holdings in £200m deal
Bain Capital Credit, in partnership with EBITDA Investments, has acquired Bread Holdings – parent company of the Gail’s Bakery chain and wholesale business The Bread Factory – from Risk Capital Partners (RCP) in a deal worth more than £200m.
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Analysis & InsightFoodservice faces ‘disruption and inflation’
Chronic labour shortages, insufficient manufactured stocks and post-Brexit challenges on imports are combining to create disruption and inflation across the foodservice sector, the latest CGA Prestige Foodservice Price Index reveals.
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NewsYo! retail range cushions restaurant losses
Yo! suffered a sharp drop in sales as restaurants were forced to shut in pandemic, but has continued to grow its supermarket presence to mitigate the impact.
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NewsDomino’s completes share buyback
Domino’s Pizza Group has completed its £45m share buyback programme announced on 9 March 2021.
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NewsHybrid working could boost number of workers in the City
The number of office workers in the City of London could be boosted by up to 100,000 people, with the shift to flexible working expected to boost the number of firms with urban office hubs, according to KPMG.
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NewsCreams approaches 100 milestone
Creams is continuing its nationwide expansion with the opening of three new dessert cafés in London, bringing its portfolio to 100 sites.
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NewsFulham Shore to trial ‘light kitchen’ model
In a MCA exclusive, David Page, executive chairman of Fulham Shore, announces a new operating format called ‘light kitchens’. Two Franco Manca light kitchen sites, which have limited dine-in and additional delivery capacity will be opened in London to cater for the company’s continued strong growth in delivery.
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Analysis & InsightHospitality drives job vacancies to record high
The number of employees on UK payrolls recovered to pre-pandemic levels last month, however vacancies also reached a record high, driven by staffing issues in the hospitality sector, according to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
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