All MCA Insight articles in September 2025
View all stories from this issue.
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NewsHospitality job losses could total 111,000 by November Budget
UKHospitality is urging government reverse some of the damage done in the last Budget, by lowering business rates, fixing National Insurance contributions and cutting VAT.
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NewsPunch announces leadership restructure
Steve Worrall has been appointed to the newly established role of group projects director, and Robin Belither has been promoted to managing director of Punch Pubs to lead the Leased & Tenanted (L&T) and Management Partnerships (MP) divisions
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NewsStarbucks appoints new UK marketing director
Vic Robertson will oversee campaign and digital strategy as well as product innovation, including the Starbucks Rewards program and its brand partnerships for the UK.
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NewsChuck E. Cheese to launch in the UK
The US restaurant and entertainment brand has signed a multi-unit franchise agreement in the UK, which will see a “fresh expression of Chuck E. Cheese tailored specifically for the market”
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NewsNWTC promotes Amber Wood to CEO
The Graphite Capital-backed business, which reported a like-for-like sales increase of 7.4% in the 17 weeks to 27 July 2025, has also appointed Jon Hire as its new CFO, replacing Glenn Person, who stepped down in August.
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NewsChopstix Group achieves ‘resilient growth’ in FY24
The Asian QSR brand reported adjusted EBITDA of £6.97m for the 35-weeks to 31 December 2024, but a loss after tax for the period of £963k.
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InterviewsNory doubles down on product strategy with $37m fundraise
The tech provider is developing autonomous AI systems while planning to extend its reach into the US, CEO Conor Sheridan tells MCA
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OpinionFruity bonuses at ’Spoons
MCA columnist Dominic Walsh delves into the enhanced fruit machine takings in pubs, the ordeal of dealing with charmless CEOs, and the late former Four Seasons MD Ramon Pajares
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Analysis & InsightRestaurant sector M&A nearly doubles in past year
The UK restaurant sector saw 30 deals in 2024/25, up from 16 the previous year, due to lower interest rates, improving investor confidence, and falling commercial rents
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NewsIn pictures: Cosy Club’s cinematic-inspired interiors
Loungers has reopened its Cosy Club venue in Leeds following a major refurbishment, featuring statement lighting, bespoke carpeted walls, and a mirrored disco ball
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NewsHydes Brewery ‘eclipses’ last year’s turnover with new record
The brewer and pub operator achieved a 3.9% increase in turnover for the year to 30 March 2025, to £40.8m, with the majority of its sales growth driven by performance its managed estate
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InterviewsProtein, mate to open 10 London sites in next three years
The brand, which officially launched in London last week after a three-month soft opening, operates as a fast-casual, takeaway-led QSR, built around its ‘protein-first’ tray bakes
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NewsWhitbread appoints new non-exec
Jonathan Powell joins the operator of Beefeater and Brewers Fayre from his role as group CFO at The Sage Group
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NewsPho continues expansion with 50th site and strong FY results
Pho reported group sales up 11.6% to £79.3m for the year to February 2025, as the TriSpan-backed Vietnamese restaurant brand continues its national rollout
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Weekend PressAnarchy in the IPA: as punk brewer’s sales stall, are we past peak BrewDog?
An embrace of private equity and publicity missteps have diluted the craft beer company’s original rebel ethos, The Guardian reports
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Weekend PressPret and peers serve up a cold platter of UK high-street gloom
Retailers still planning around yesterday’s customer habits will find even greater challenges in store, Jennifer Hughes writes for the FT
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Weekend PressHeston Blumenthal: The secret to enjoying food on Mounjaro
The chef describes the moment he knew weight-loss drugs would be a disaster for restaurants, and why his ‘mindful raisin’ exercise could help, The Sunday Times writes
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Weekend PressPret boss Pano Christou: ‘We’re not expensive’
The sandwich and coffee chain reveals plans to launch meal deals and drive-thru sites as it targets major push into motorway services and airports, The Sunday Times writes
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InterviewsFree lobster and global expansion on the menu under new Burger & Lobster CEO
Dino Sura says his immediate priorities are improving efficiencies and driving growth both in the UK and overseas, after he stepped into the role of global CEO this month
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NewsTube strikes cost London pubs 250k pints as bookings collapse
Across the week (Mon-Thurs), bookings dropped 67% compared to the previous week, according to Access Hospitality data