All articles by Shwetali Sapte – Page 18
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Analysis & InsightFestive menus offer comfort and indulgence
Customers will see the return of familiar festive flavours, such as gingerbread, brie, and cranberry, while fresh options like profiterole cheesecake and black forest frappe lead on innovation. MCA rounds up the first wave of Christmas menus from Starbucks, Costa, Caffe Nero and Orée
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InterviewsPopeyes looks at enhanced automation in restaurants
The QSR chain is automating certain “boring, mundane” jobs with technology, such as taking orders at a drive-thru, and moving team members into more fulfilling roles, CTO David Carey told MCA’s Hostech conference
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NewsOpenings of the week
MCA rounds up this week’s biggest openings stories, featuring Heartwood Collection, Be At One, Jason Atherton’s latest restaurant, and more
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InterviewsPizza Pilgrims: ‘The basics will never change’
Co-founder Thom Elliot speaks to MCA about relaunching food-to-go concept Slice, going international, and the “plenty of opportunities” remaining in the UK, as the business appoints advisors to explore its strategic and investment options
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NewsUKHospitality: Budget is ‘latest blow’ to hospitality businesses
A hike in minimum wage, employer national insurance contributions, and reduced business rates relief means that “2025 will be painful for hospitality, with an increased annual tax bill of £3bn for the sector,” according to the trade body
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NewsDraught duty cut is a ‘drop in the ocean’
Pub sector leaders including Nick Mackenzie, Simon Dodd, Simon Emeny, and Chris Jowsey have expressed concern that costs will continue to rise with the reduction in business rates relief and rise in National Minimum Wage
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NewsWingstop’s international business ‘continues to be on fire’
CEO Michael Skipworth said that the QSR chain’s success in the UK, alongside its first restaurants in France, demonstrates its ability to grow to over 750 restaurants overseas
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NewsPizza Hut launches new app
The app will offer exclusive deals, recipes, and live order tracking among other benefits, and is part of the chain’s brand reset announced earlier this year
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Analysis & InsightHow Greene King is building a new legacy
In celebration of Black History Month, the pub company partnered with historian and curator Tony Fairweather to bring the social history of the Windrush Generation into its pubs. MCA visits the Greene Man in London’s Euston to find out more
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NewsChipotle could open ‘thousands’ more locations in Europe
Interim CEO Scott Boatwright reiterated that Western Europe is a ‘sizeable’ growth opportunity for the fast casual Mexican chain
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NewsCamerons Brewery secures new funding
The Hartlepool-based brewer and pub company has agreed a refinance and new funding package with Sandton Capital Partners and IGF
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NewsMinimum wage increase set to add £1.9bn to hospitality wage bill
Unsustainable increases will threaten jobs, future investment, and business viability, while contributing to price increases for customers, according to UKHospitality
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InterviewsHeartwood Collection on the future of loyalty
The Brasserie Blanc and pubs-with-rooms operator is working on an ’overt loyalty scheme that people can understand, follow, and feel motivated to use’, marketing director Caz Taylor told MCA’s Hostech
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InterviewsComptoir to refine loyalty proposition
The Comptoir Libanais and Shawa operator is ensuring its offering “has more touchpoints in guests’ lives,” marketing director Nicole Goodwin told MCA’s Hostech
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InterviewsHawksmoor on the success of its ‘journey to regular’ scheme
The ‘invisible’ approach to loyalty led to an immediate positive impact on NPS scores, repeat visits, and multi-surface usage, CMO Emma King told MCA’s Hostech
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NewsBeds and Bars announces management changes
Luke Knowles is to replace CEO Keith Knowles, who will step up to executive chairman as managing director Murray Roberts retires after three decades with the pub, bar, and hostel operator
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NewsCosta reaches £1.2bn revenue
The 2023 figure represented an increase of £105m (9%) from £1.1bn in 2022, with the coffee business continuing to invest in new stores, renewing existing sites, and proposition development
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NewsOpenings of the week
MCA rounds up this week’s biggest openings stories, featuring Shake Shack, King Pins, Jamie Oliver Group, Bun House Disco, and more
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NewsHouse of Lords report calls for ‘complete ban’ on junk food advertising
A 10-month inquiry has recommended measures such as taxes on junk food and a new law requiring large food companies to reduce the salt, sugar, and calories in their products
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NewsWimpy UK revenue drops 17%
The sharp drop was caused by a decline in footfall, along with economic uncertainty, parent company Famous Brands reported in its interim results