All articles by Shwetali Sapte – Page 11
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NewsHeart with Smart looks to secure future
The Pizza Hut Restaurants operator is in advanced talks with potential buyers, with the aim of selecting a preferred bidder this month
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Analysis & InsightFestive season offers welcome boost for bars
Britain’s leading hospitality groups saw year-on-year sales growth of 2.7% in the week leading up to Christmas, with bars seeing an uplift of 20.5% following a year of decline
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NewsBeds & Bars ‘well positioned’ to capitalise on opportunities
Turnover rost to £72.8m in FY24, with larger units in key locations such as London, Edinburgh, and European capitals continuing to perform well
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NewsOpenings of the week
MCA rounds up this week’s biggest openings stories, featuring Afrikana, Berenjak, and more
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Analysis & InsightMCA introduces: Dave’s Hot Chicken
Dave’s launched in London on 7 December and “has massively exceeded expectations” ever since, fuelled by social media fame and a reputation for incredible chicken - with a serious kick. MCA visits the brand’s debut site on Shaftesbury Avenue
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NewsCommunity ownership fund scrapped
The 2021 scheme allowed communities the opportunity to save pubs on the brink of closure and has been scrapped a few months earlier than planned
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NewsHospitality staff consider legal action due to ‘cover charges’
Restaurants including The Ivy and The Wolseley add a mandatory cover charge to diners’ bills on top of a service charge, with only the latter passed on to workers, The Guardian reports
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NewsUKHospitality: ‘NICs will make generating growth even more difficult’
The planned changes to employer contributions will impact jobs, investment, and business viability, contributing to lacklustre growth figures, according to the trade body
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NewsPaul O’Leary joins The Revel Collective board
O’Leary, who also sits on the board of Boden, has been appointed non-executive director at the Revolution and Peach Pubs operator
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Analysis & InsightChristmas Day bookings up 75%
Pubs, bars, and clubs saw a 273% increase while restaurants saw a 115% uplift, albeit New Year’s Eve bookings dipped 64% compared to last year, according to Dojo
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NewsBBPA calls on government to review packaging reforms
Packaging materials that are less recyclable will incur higher fees from 2026, in a move that has the potential to “diminish growth and risk jobs”
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NewsChestnut grows revenues to nearly £30m
The East Anglian operator achieved a 33.6% rise in revenue while also growing EBITDA, its site portfolio, and accommodation business
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NewsBlack Sheep Coffee to expand presence in Scotland
The coffee shop chain continues to grow its presence in the UK, with plans for 14 new stores in Scotland over the next five years
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NewsSixth Street acquires Wingstop UK
The California-based investment firm has acquired a majority stake in the UK arm of the QSR chain, reportedly for more than £400m, with co-founders Tom Grogan, Herman Sahota, and Saul Lewin remaining minority shareholders
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InterviewsAzzurri Group: ‘We’re starting the year on the front foot’
CEO Steve Holmes speaks to MCA about the transition to a hospitality investment platform, the “massive” opportunities for Boojum and Dave’s Hot Chicken, and why there will always be a place for casual dining
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NewsWimpy returns to Brighton
The burger chain, which closed its Brighton restaurant in 2006, has returned to the city following a £500,000 investment
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NewsKKR invests in Rebel Foods
The private equity firm has invested in the cloud kitchen platform to support its future growth, following reports of its interest in acquiring the UK arm of Wingstop
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NewsGroucho Club licence reinstated
The private members club will be allowed to reopen, following its closure last month over reports of a ‘serious criminal offence’ at the venue
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NewsGusto continues strong trading
The Italian restaurant group has maintained site profitability and cash conversion, underpinned by a strong guest experience, continued investment in staff, and effective marketing
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NewsSoho House evaluates acquisition offer
The offer comes from a third-party consortium, in response to a review that claims the company’s current share price does not reflect its inherent value