Shwetali Sapte
Shwetali joined MCA as senior news and finance reporter in March 2022.
Contact info
- Tel:
- +44 (0)1293 846578
- Email:
- Shwetali.sapte@mca-insight.com
NewsGreene King reaches milestone of 80 franchise pubs
Four years after launching its franchise pub business, the group said its is committed to growing its footprint, with further openings in the pipeline
NewsKFC continues hunt for UK&I units
More than 50 locations are slated to open this year, as part of a £1.5bn investment to increase the chain’s estate by 500 sites over the next decade
NewsRestaurants to be required to report diners’ calorie consumption
The Telegraph reports the industry has been “totally blindsided” by plans to reduce obesity and ease pressure on the NHS
NewsSan Carlo nears £80m turnover
The premium, family-run Italian restaurant group posted £77.9m turnover in its latest accounts, as it expands its overseas footprint with launches in Miami, Egypt, Bahrain, and Morocco this year
InterviewsWasabi: ‘We can easily double the estate in a few years’
The c.40-strong business is in like-for-like growth and trading well in a challenging market, with plenty of whitespace remaining in the UK, CEO Henry Birts tells MCA
NewsMoto Hospitality continues investing in ‘transformation’ of rest stop experience
The MSA operator is rolling out new brands and EV infrastructure as well as improving the customer experience through tech
NewsBenugo turnover surpasses £134m
The café, deli, and restaurant group achieved the highest turnover in its 26-year history in 2024, while securing new contracts at locations like St Paul’s Cathedral and Windsor Castle
NewsLola’s Cupcakes triples pre-tax profits
The bakery business, which trades from 40+ locations, reported sales of more than £26m in 2024, with plans to continue expanding in the Southeast and beyond
NewsOpenings of the week
MCA rounds up this week’s biggest openings stories, featuring Speedboat Bar, The Evolv Collection, Emerald Hospitality Group, and more
InterviewsRedCat Hospitality: ‘We’re not an investment vehicle, we’re a hospitality business’
CEO Richard Lewis discusses how RedCat’s “profit through volume” carvery concept is a way to increase visits during quieter periods at MCA’s Pub Conference
NewsBrewhouse & Kitchen to expand ‘when conditions improve’
The pub operator reported a slight dip in turnover to £16.3m, albeit like-for-like sales growth improved to 2.5% in the first 35 weeks of its current financial year
NewsThe Ivy Collection grows revenue to record highs
Revenue stood at £327.1m for the 53 weeks ended 5 January 2025 and new openings contributed to growth, with restaurateur Richard Caring reportedly in talks for a deal that could exceed £1bn
Analysis & InsightDelivery returns to growth in May
Delivery and takeaway sales achieved year-on-year growth of 1.8% in May, attributed to cooler and wetter weather
NewsMark McGinty rises to CEO at Valiant Pub Company
McGinty succeeds Gerry Carroll, who transitions to the role of executive chairman, as Valiant looks to further growth in the coming months
NewsMarston’s appoints new CFO
Stephen Hopson, former of Mitchells & Butlers and Molson Coors, will succeed Hayleigh Lupino as CFO of the pub group this September
NewsSoy sauce ice cream? Banana Tree dips into umami dessert trend
Banana Tree has launched a Bangkok-inspired dessert, billed as the ‘most adventurous scoop you’ll try all summer’
NewsIn pictures: Shan Shui Social, inspired by 1920s Shanghai
A Shanghainese art deco aesthetic is infused with ’open-to-all, back-alley bar’ atmosphere in the latest concept from the operator behind Singapulah, Rasa Sayang, and Arôme Bakery
NewsKrispy Kreme and McDonald’s end partnership
Efforts to bring Krispy Kreme’s costs in line with unit demand were unsuccessful, making the partnership unsustainable, the company said
NewsBrewDog pauses flotation plans
The multinational brewer and pub operator has rowed back on plans to become a public company, instead focusing on a return to growth and profitability
NewsRedCat returns to acquisition trail
The 95-strong operator behind Coaching Inn Group and RedCat Independent Pubs has acquired The Warwick Arms Hotel, marking its first acquisition since August 2022