All articles by Shwetali Sapte
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NewsZambrero enters next phase of expansion
The Mexican-inspired fast casual chain increased like-for-like sales by 28% over the past 12 months, and expects to open 10 new sites by the end of the year
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NewsJulio Santoyo steps down as Leon MD after two months
Santoyo left his role as director of UK operations at Pret to join Leon in May 2025, but has stepped down after less than two months
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NewsChick-fil-A to open first UK drive-thru near Glasgow
The American QSR chain, which trades from two locations in England and two in Northern Ireland, is set to take over a former KFC unit in Hamilton’s Palace Grounds Retail Park
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NewsPoolhouse raises $55m in new funding round
Led by Bluestone Equity Partners, the financing values the startup at more than $100m and will fund international expansion, The New York Times reports
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InterviewsPizza Union’s Bobby Hashemi: ‘The UK has become a pizza destination’
Speaking to Tamweel Capital’s Adam Spencer, the entrepreneur discussed the idea behind Pizza Union, the simplicity of its model and offer, and why there’s room to grow in an ultra competitive pizza market
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NewsCustomer growth drives record turnover for Ole & Steen
The Danish bakery and coffeehouse group, which operates 26 sites in the UK, achieved 7.1% customer growth last year, leading to a 10.3% increase in like-for-like sales
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NewsJW Lees achieves record financial performance
The 138-strong brewer and pub operator saw sales surpass £100m in the year to 31 March, with record profit before tax of £8.8m
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NewsBuyer demand for quality hospitality assets remains resilient
Christie & Co has reported strong transactional momentum across the pub and restaurant property market in the first half of 2026 despite persistent headwinds facing operators
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NewsTurtle Bay secures creditor approval for CVA
The Caribbean-inspired restaurant group has closed four sites in Solihull, Walthamstow, York, and Middlesborough, albeit the majority of sites are unaffected
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NewsOpenings of the week
MCA rounds up the week’s biggest openings stories, featuring a new quintet of venues in Covent Garden, new locations from AZ Collective and Creative Restaurant Group, and new markets for Sticks’n’Sushi and Vagabond Wines
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NewsTRG sells Concessions division to Areas
As part of Areas, The Restaurant Group’s Concessions business will gain access to a global network, operational expertise, and wider portfolio of international franchise brands, allowing it to continue expanding
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NewsBrava Hospitality reports double-digit revenue growth
The Prezzo and Jamie’s Italian operator increased revenue by 12.3% in its second quarter, driven by ongoing investments across the Prezzo portfolio and a strong early performance for the recently relaunched Jamie’s Italian
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NewsBOXPARK hits financial milestone with first million-pound week
The group has reported the biggest grossing revenue week in its history, surpassing the £1m mark in a single week for the first time, driven by its most successful World Cup activation to date
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NewsPubs Code Adjudicator launches investigation into Stonegate Group over suspected breaches
The PCA said it has “reasonable grounds” to suspect Stonegate may have failed to comply with its legal obligations under the Pubs Code, specifically its duties to provide accurate and transparent information to both existing and prospective tied pub tenants
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NewsSpaghetti House to be dissolved
The Italian restaurant group entered into administration but failed to secure a buyer, with US sandwich chain Jersey Mike’s taking over its Argyll Street location for its London debut
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InterviewsCornish Bakery: ‘This financial year will be much bigger than the last’
Cornish Bakery is growing at 30-40% per annum and targeting one new site per month, but founder Steve Grocutt tells MCA the business will never sacrifice quality for growth as it approaches the 100-site milestone
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Interviews‘It’s not a mass product’: The enduring appeal of wet-led community pubs
Community pubs will keep evolving to retain their deeply rooted place in society – whether through new occasions, offerings, or entertainment, leaders at Craft Union, Punch Pubs & Co, and Amber Taverns told MCA’s Pub Conference
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NewsCornish Bakery announces next four openings
The independent bakery chain will open new sites in Wells, Witney, Shrewsbury, and Guildford, following its ‘anti-brand’ strategy to create individually curated, bespoke bakeries in each community
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NewsOpenings of the week
MCA rounds up the week’s biggest openings stories, featuring Gymkhana’s Dubai restaurant, Sri Lankan group ISSO’s London debut, plus new sites from Taro, It’s Bagels, and more
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Interviews‘If you don’t shape culture, it’s going to shape itself’: Why investing in people is more important than ever
People directors from Punch Pubs, Drake & Morgan, and Incipio Group share how a culture-first approach is delivering tangible business results at MCA’s Pub Conference