The Sarah Willingham-led late-night group has confirmed it is assessing a number of possible options, including the acquisition of certain sites, subsidiaries, assets and brands of Revolution Bar...
The UK’s biggest pub and bar company has debts totalling £2.2bn, a situation exacerbated by high interest rates, the overall cost of debt for its complex tiered debt structure, and different p...
https://www.mca-insight.com/finance/stonegates-looming-debt-issue/690936.article
The coffee giant, which revealed plans earlier this year to open a further 100 stores in the UK, has reported a 4% decline in global comparable sales in Q2
https://www.mca-insight.com/finance/starbucks-sees-sales-dip/690935.article
The group, which was acquired by Young’s in a deal completed earlier this year, reported total group revenue of £74.5m in 2023 and a ’fantastic’ sales performance over the festive period
https://www.mca-insight.com/finance/city-pub-group-sees-20-uplift-in-like-for-likes/690934.article
Revolution confirmed the group has explored a range of possible transactions, following a Sky News report that claimed both Rekom and Nightcap have expressed interest
The payment app from the founders of Big Mamma Group is facing complaints from customers after introducing an additional charge on bills paid via mobile
https://www.mca-insight.com/technology/sunday-mobile-payment-app-levies-checkout-fee/690929.article
MD Graham Ford speaks to MCA about the sales process and the scalability of the QSR format, as the Eve Bugler-founded kebab concept looks for a buyer
The group has reported a 1% decline in KFC UK sales but continues to see opportunity for more than 50,000 restaurants globally, as it looks to become the ’leading digital restaurant company’
The Northwest-based coffee shop operator, which plans to scale to over 30 sites within the next 12 months, has secured an investment from AJ Bell founder Andy Bell
https://www.mca-insight.com/coffee-shops/the-coffee-house-secures-4m-investment/690920.article
The Nisha Katona-led Indian restaurant group grew sales to £30.9m, as it looks to continue expanding in the UK and go international further down the line
https://www.mca-insight.com/finance/mowgli-reports-15-growth-in-sales/690867.article
CEO Dominic Paul discusses the strategic rationale behind the group’s plan to exit 126 branded restaurants and convert a further 112 into hotel rooms for its Premier Inn brand
https://www.mca-insight.com/finance/whitbread-hotel-extensions-much-more-profitable/690850.article
The delivery company has seen a boost during the breakfast and lunch day parts, and now has 1 million people using the platform for groceries, according to UK MD Claire Pointon
The pub and bar group has postponed a general meeting originally scheduled for tomorrow to give it more time to explore all strategic options, which also include exploring a formal sales process
https://www.mca-insight.com/finance/revolution-bars-group-raises-125m-in-open-offer/690856.article
Restaurant Brands International also revealed its ‘Reclaim the Flame’ plan has driven strong results for Burger King
https://www.mca-insight.com/finance/rbi-popeyes-still-early-in-its-journey/690859.article
The fast food giant expects ‘moderated’ top line growth this year, but continues to invest in its loyalty scheme, a new and more ‘satiating’ burger, as well as the rollout of beverage-le...
The pizza group saw a decline in sales growth and orders in Q1 which it blamed on a tough comparitive and a slow January
https://www.mca-insight.com/finance/dominos-sales-down-amid-softer-delivery-market/690861.article
The Sir Charles Dunstone-backed business, which rebranded from Chik’n in 2022 following a partnership with Soho House Group, already has 14 sites in the pipeline, according to CEO John Nelson
https://www.mca-insight.com/restaurants/chicken-shop-aims-for-70-sites/690863.article
The TGI Fridays operator has requested its ordinary shares to be suspended from the London Stock Exchange, pending publication of its annual report
https://www.mca-insight.com/finance/hostmore-temporarily-suspends-listing/690864.article
Following the successful refinance of its debt, CEO Jens Hofma tells MCA the Pizza Hut Restaurants operator is looking to fire up innovation and reignite unit growth in 2025
The development will see brewing of cask ale and craft beer move to a new, more sustainable facility in Bury St Edmunds from its 200-year-old Westgate site
The Lebanese-inspired restaurant group will open its 20th site in London this spring
Hospitality venues have seen an increase of £134m in spend during the afternoon compared to night time, according to payment technology provider Dojo
An All-Party Parliamentary Group inquiry into recruitment and retention has been launched to explore the reasons behind high vacancy rates, ask what more the sector can do, and make recommendat...
The all-day concept has seen sales growth across day parts and categories as it looks to maintain its current rate of expansion, CEO Nick Collins tells MCA
Dine Brands is looking to launch a dual-branded restaurant concept, combining bar and grill concept Applebee’s and pancake house chain IHOP
The operator of Pizza Hut Restaurants and itsu franchises has also appointed Steve Packer, an existing member of the management team, as CFO, as Andy Platt steps into semi-retirement
https://www.mca-insight.com/finance/heart-with-smart-extends-senior-debt-until-2027/690814.article
Punch Pubs & Co has added 24 former Wear Inns sites, located in the Northeast and Yorkshire, to its 1,300-strong estate
Monique Samra, Fuller’s people experience manager, will discuss the new guide at MCA’s Pub Conference in June
https://www.mca-insight.com/people/fullers-launches-neurodiversity-guide/690820.article
The Premier Inn operator will invest £500m in the plan, which will incur up to £100m in impairment charges and £25m in cash costs, and involve the loss of 1,500 job roles
The Ed Martin-led group is launching flagship Blackwood in Piccadilly Circus; a rooftop bar overlooking Trafalgar Square; a 14,000 sq ft site in Victoria; and has a further bar planned before th...
https://www.mca-insight.com/finance/maven-leisure-seeks-to-raise-2m-via-growthdeck/690771.article
The bars & restaurants sector has 1,479 businesses in critical financial distress, up from 1,073 last year, according to Begbies Traynor
Like-for-like sales growth, new openings, and cost control all exceeded expectations in FY24, while the scope for rollout “remains vast,” according to the analyst
After two years of relentlessly high inflation, a fall into single digits in March brings some welcome respite, according to the CGA Prestige Foodservice Price Index (FPI)
https://www.mca-insight.com/analysis-and-insight/foodservice-inflation-falls-below-10/690774.article
British consumers are spending less money in pubs and bars than at any time since lockdown ended, according to research by Deloitte
https://www.mca-insight.com/analysis-and-insight/cost-of-living-weighs-on-spending/690775.article
The chairman of New World Trading Company and Megan’s discusses his career in hospitality and why ’people dynamics’ are key in determining the health of a business
https://www.mca-insight.com/interviews/rod-mckie-people-are-paramount/690759.article
The TDR Capital-backed business, which just opened a new drive-thru site in Salford, has plans for 25+ sites for the year ahead
https://www.mca-insight.com/food-to-go/popeyes-uk-grows-to-100m-sales/690772.article
The former CFO of Patisserie Valerie along with three other defendants have denied being part of a plot to commit fraud at the collapsed cafe chain
Impatient diners are avoiding waiting lists by buying their way into London’s most sought-after venues
Landlords at the Stag and Pheasant in south Wales pleaded guilty to health and safety failings after a woman suffered a fractured skull due to dim lighting and poor signage
https://www.mca-insight.com/pubs-bars-and-clubs/family-calls-for-tougher-pub-rules/690769.article
Restaurateur and marketing expert Andrew Fishwick told City A.M. the market had become “really lazy” and “poor value”
Several restaurants mark significant anniversaries this year – including Raymond Blanc’s Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, which turns 40 – as one of Britain’s most celebrated restaurateurs,...
The immersive soccer and dining experience, which has plans to open in major cities across the UK, has received an investment from Norwegian Chess Grandmaster Magnus Carlsen
https://www.mca-insight.com/finance/toca-social-announces-new-investment/690718.article
Hospitality venues will no longer be required to act as a return point, a key ask due to the cost and complexity involved, according to UKHospitality
The new leadership team will drive forward a “compelling proposition,” says CEO Brian Niccol, as the fast casual Mexican chain reports $2.7bn in quarterly sales
Like-for-like delivery sales rose 5% year-on-year in March, while takeaway and click-and-collect orders dropped 3%, according to CGA
The all-day cafe, bar, and restaurant operator has reported £353.5m in revenue for the 53 weeks ended 21 April 2024, reflecting both strong like-for-like sales growth and the success of the open...
https://www.mca-insight.com/finance/loungers-delivers-record-revenue/690714.article
The fried chicken concept is keen to reach the 20-site mark as it prepares to open its first site in Brighton, with more to be added to the pipeline this year, co-founder Tristan Clough tells MCA
The sector is moving towards consolidation, with companies optimising operations and scaling up through strategic restructuring and acquisitions to boost financial outcomes, according to Lumina I...
The Bavarian bier palace concept will open its doors on Shaftesbury Avenue on 5 July, with a spacious 18,000 sq ft venue featuring five bars and an on-site bakery
CEO Andy Naylor speaks to MCA about strong recovery in the capital, the current trading landscape, franchising opportunities, and a directional change in food innovation
https://www.mca-insight.com/interviews/tortilla-london-is-really-booming/690656.article
The experiential leisure operator has promoted Nicola Blackford to chief commercial officer and Sam Pollard to UK MD as it continues to look for expansion opportunities overseas
https://www.mca-insight.com/people/new-senior-appointments-at-state-of-play/690631.article
The specialty coffee chain plans to open 17 new sites in London by 2026, with revenues forecast to exceed £25m
https://www.mca-insight.com/coffee-shops/redemption-roasters-closes-investment-round/690614.article
The Neapolitan pizza concept said it had struggled to keep some of its venues viable amid the cost of living crisis, albeit three locations remain open and trading
https://www.mca-insight.com/restaurants/three-joes-confirms-site-closures/690613.article
JAB partner Konrad Meyer has been appointed chairman, succeeding Olivier Goudet, while Pret co-founder Sinclair Beecham rejoins the business
https://www.mca-insight.com/people/pret-announces-board-changes/690612.article
The fast casual Mexican group reported a 14% increase in revenue at 3.6% increase in like-for-like sales in 2023, with consumer demand expected to further recover later this year
https://www.mca-insight.com/finance/tortilla-looks-ahead-to-improved-consumer-outlook/690611.article
Jamie Hazeel and Kamran Dehdashti, co-founders of the house party-inspired bar concept, speak to MCA about picking up expansion and defying the late-night sector downturn
The immersive football and dining experience has long-term plans to open venues in every major city across the UK, president Alex Harman tells MCA
Market growth in 2024 will be supported by inflation, continued expansion, and innovation that targets increased transaction value and additional missions, according to Lumina Intelligence
The African-inspired restaurant group looks towards openings in Ilford, Kingston, Holloway and Hounslow this year, with further sites lined up in Tooting and Reading
https://www.mca-insight.com/restaurants/afrikana-lines-up-six-new-openings/690564.article
The coffeehouse chain reported sales growth of 10.5% year-on-year in the UK, with double-digit growth in delivery sales and even stronger growth in the Coffee at Home business
https://www.mca-insight.com/coffee-shops/strong-third-quarter-for-caffe-nero/690543.article
The code of practice, which will be implemented three months later than originally planned in October 2024, will put an estimated £2m back into workers’ pockets, with the “fair and transpare...
https://www.mca-insight.com/legislation/tipping-law-will-benefit-millions-of-workers/690551.article
Staff at 16 train companies will walk out between 7 and 9 May, with an overtime ban in place between 6 and 11 May
https://www.mca-insight.com/news/train-strikes-announced-during-may-bank-holiday/690554.article
Detroit Pizza, Eggslut and Four Seasons have exclusively joined the delivery platform, as it adds a slew of London eateries including Coqfighter, Taro and Yori
https://www.mca-insight.com/delivery/uber-eats-signs-new-exclusive-partnerships/690560.article
The pubco and craft brewer has partnered with Pixel Artworks to bring an augmented reality experience to Brighton’s Spiegeltent
CEO James Watt said the company has replaced 30% of the saplings which failed in its restoration project, as he staunchly defended BrewDog’s record on sustainability
The coffee roaster, bar and restaurant group will now stock its packaged wholebean and ground coffee, pods and ready-to-drink (RTD) cans at the supermarket giant
https://www.mca-insight.com/coffee-shops/grind-partners-with-tesco/690562.article
Previously of Wagamama, Be At One and Leon, Gregory was at Piper-backed Turtle Bay for five years
https://www.mca-insight.com/people/adam-gregory-departs-turtle-bay/690520.article
The new bakery in West Bradbury Yard, Brentford, is housed in a listed warehouse building, and has taken inspiration from its industrial heritage
What do McDonald’s new menu tweaks, Honest Burgers’ forthcoming QSR concept, and the social media hype of Supernova have in common? Tom Gatehouse of Egg Soliders explores the phenomenon of th...
https://www.mca-insight.com/innovation/smash-hit-burgers/690515.article
The Mission Mars-owned pizza restaurant group will open its first west London restaurant in Queensway on 27 April, joining its London restaurants in Soho, Shoreditch, Fitzrovia and Spitalfields
https://www.mca-insight.com/restaurants/rudys-to-have-10-london-restaurants-this-year/690516.article
The pub operator and brewer plans to invest proceeds from pub disposals into new acquisitions in France during the first quarter of 2024
https://www.mca-insight.com/finance/wells-and-co-grows-sales-in-tough-cost-climate/690517.article
CEO David McDowall describes a shift in consumer behaviour as customers opt for lunchtime and afternoon pub visits over nights out
https://www.mca-insight.com/interviews/stonegate-people-are-socialising-differently/690521.article
With 10 million annual visitors expected at London’s Olympia development, Incipio Group will draw inspiration from existing brands while creating entirely new concepts to cater to a wide range ...
https://www.mca-insight.com/interviews/incipio-group-continual-evolution-is-essential/690468.article
The independent brewery has agreed terms on a new London pub to open this summer, as its latest crowdfund draws to a close
The EU Commission has proposed negotiations to facilitate new youth mobility agreements, allowing young people from the EU and UK to study, work and live in each other’s countries
Plumpton, formerly of Rosa’s Thai and Tapas Revolution, will succeed Ashley Davis, who stepped up as interim MD after Glenn Edwards’ departure last year
https://www.mca-insight.com/people/mac-plumpton-joins-leon-as-md/690459.article
MCA rounds up the week’s biggest openings stories, including Leon, Sticks ‘n’ Sushi, Fuller’s and Shake Shack
https://www.mca-insight.com/news/openings-of-the-week/690438.article
Order growth in the UK and Ireland remained flat year-on-year, albeit the delivery company reported ongoing signs of stabilisation in consumer behaviour
The coffeehouse concept reported that trading in Q1 2024 was up 120% compared to 2022, as it encourages investors to support its ambitions for global expansion
https://www.mca-insight.com/coffee-shops/watchhouse-launches-crowdfunding-campaign/690431.article
The all-day concept has opened a new site every 10 days so far this year, bringing its estate to 257 as it looks to reach the 600-site mark