All MCA Insight articles in September 2023 – Page 6
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News
Train drivers announce two more strike days
Members of the Aslef union will walk out on 30 September and 4 October, alongside an overtime ban on 29 September and 2-6 October
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Analysis & Insight
How 2023 became the year of the wine bar
A new wave of wine bars is taking the capital’s coolest postcodes by storm and slaking the thirst of younger drinkers
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Analysis & Insight
Value consciousness biggest concern for industry leaders
Hospitality leaders have reported a squeeze on household budgets as among the biggest long-term consumer trends affecting the industry, with ethical consumerism seeing a decline in Lumina Intelligence’s Top of Mind report
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Analysis & Insight
Autumn menu innovation leans on international flavours
MCA rounds up food-to-go autumn menu launches from brands including Leon, Pret, Gails and Greggs, exploring trends for both indulgence and health as well as new flavours
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News
Bob & Berts appoints operations manager for England
David Rayner joins the Northern Irish coffee chain from the Spitroast Group, and will lead its rollout across England
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Analysis & Insight
Fast food outlets ramp up menu prices
Figures show considerable price hikes across fast food chains, after Pret came under fire for increasing the cost of some menu items by 72% since 2020
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Analysis & Insight
Dynamic pricing could ‘alienate’ customers
MCA examines the controversial move, which has caused some publicans and business owners leap to Stonegate’s defence - albeit some consumers have lashed out against the pubco’s policy to raise prices by 20p during busy hours
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Interviews
Amber Taverns open to equity investment
The wet-led community pub operator is benefiting from a struggling high street retail sector and high interest rates as it builds its pipeline
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Interviews
Pieminister: ‘There is tremendous opportunity out there’
The Bristol-born pie specialist recently opened its second franchise in Derby, and is confident of reaching its 100-site target by 2030
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News
Howard Schultz steps down from Starbucks
The coffee giant has announced former CEO Howard Schultz is to retire as director, as part of a planned transition, and will be replaced by Wei Zhang
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News
Openings of the week
MCA rounds up this week’s biggest openings stories, including BrewDog, The Alchemist, Rosa’s Thai, Treats Club and more
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Interviews
Oche targets UK franchise roll out
The Social Gaming Group CEO Troy Warfield says the international ’gastro-gaming’ concept is resonating with consumers in the capital, and has big potential for roll out in the UK’s top ten major cities
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News
YO! returns to profit
The sushi restaurant and supermarket kiosk operator saw a strong rebound in footfall post-pandemic, with adjusted EBITDA increasing to £7.4m
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News
Carlsberg Marston’s to close Wychwood Brewery
The CEO of the brewery JV cited the “incredibly competitive” UK ale market and “turbulent economic outlook” for creating a challenging environment to navigate
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News
Tony Blair: Tax fast food to improve health
The former prime minister, who is advising Labour leader Kier Starmer, said there should be higher taxes and tougher advertising restrictions on foods high in fat, sugar and salt
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News
Blacklock awarded B Corp status
The London based chophouse steak chain has announced its certification by non-profit global organisation, B Lab
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News
Chick-fil-A announces UK return
The fried chicken chain will relaunch in 2025 with an initial five sites, following its departure in 2019 amid LGBT protests
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News
Amber Taverns plans 14-16 new openings this year
The community wet-led pub operator reported a 70% increase in revenue to £95.7m in FY2023
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Interviews
Loungers: ‘We must remember what it’s like to be a small business’
As the all-day operator marks the milestone of 200 sites under its Lounge concept, chairman and co-founder Alex Reilley speaks to MCA about the big target of reaching 600 locations, and how the business’ leaders are adapting to a larger profile as the company expands its footprint in high streets across the nation
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News
Former Patisserie Valerie CFO charged with fraud
Christopher Marsh has been charged alongside his wife, accountant Louise Marsh, financial controller Pritesh Mistry and financial consultant Nileshkumar Lad over their roles in the collapse of the chain