MCA Insight - Leaders in Eating & Drinking Out Market Insight

🥂 Fever-Tree posts FY24 growth and reaffirms hospitality focus #FeverTree reported global revenue growth of 4% in FY24, with record margins and a stronger second half in the UK – despite a 3% dip in domestic revenues to £111.1m. The brand gained value share across both on- and off-trade, ending the year with an on-trade share 1.6x that of its nearest competitor. Non-tonic products now make up nearly 30% of UK sales, driven by innovations like Pink Grapefruit Soda and cocktail mixers. CEO Tim Warrillow said Fever-Tree is “well-positioned to support hospitality as the market recovers.” 📈 Read more on #MCA 👉 https://lnkd.in/esaNH8KD #hospitality #drinksindustry #beverage #ontrade #premiumdrinks #QSR #mixers #retail #financial #MolsonCoors #cocktails #nonalcoholic

📊 UKHospitality: ‘Social productivity must shape future policy’ Hospitality is the UK’s most socially productive sector and ranks sixth in resilience, according to UKHospitality’s new Social Productivity Index. The SPI highlights hospitality’s role in offering accessible careers across regions and backgrounds, and calls on policymakers to assess growth through both economic and social lenses. UKH CEO Kate Nicholls OBE said hospitality “can be the catalyst for both economic and social growth across the UK,” and urged the Government to recognise the sector’s broader value in future industrial strategy. ⚡ Read more on #MCA 👉 https://lnkd.in/etA9QcZd #hospitality #UKHospitality #SocialProductivity #SPI #policy #economt #socialimpact #KateNicholls #employment

🥟 De Nadas Empanadas targets 20 UK shops by 2030 Argentinian empanada brand De Nadas is planning to open 16 more shops over the next five years, co-founder Annabel Fox-Martínez told delegates at #MCAFoodToGo Conference. Founded in 2022, the grab-and-go brand currently has four London sites, with expansion focused on the capital and wider UK. A Singapore licence deal is also in early discussions. Backed by a new 2,000 sq ft kitchen in Bethnal Green, the brand is tapping into the lunch and breakfast market with value-driven deals and 15 varieties of baked empanadas. 💥 Read more on #MCA 👉 https://lnkd.in/ejkujPrj #hospitality #DeNadas #foodtogo #QSR #empanadas #UK #expansion #grabandgo #franchising

🧁 Lola's Cupcakes: ‘The real growth opportunity is outside London’ Lola’s MD #AsherBudwig says the bakery brand is now focused on nationwide expansion, following its most successful year to date. Speaking at #MCAFoodToGo Conference, Budwig said the £25m turnover business plans to open several new sites a year outside the capital – including its latest cart at Solihull’s Touchwood Shopping Centre. The travel hub specialist operates more than 40 sites across cafés, kiosks, vending machines and collection lockers. Online now accounts for 40% of sales, with cake delivery offered nationwide. 💡 Read more on #MCA 👉 https://lnkd.in/eMGcUnvH #hospitality #Lolas #foodtogo #bakery #QSR #retailgrowth #transporthubs #cupcakes #delivery

🐔 Mary Brown's Chicken targets UK clusters with deliberate, long-term rollout Canadian QSR brand #MaryBrownsChicken is stepping up UK expansion with plans for up to 10 sites by the end of 2024, including Preston, Southampton and Jersey. Clusters are also planned for Scotland and Northern Ireland. “We’re not trying to open 100 sites overnight,” VP of international development Dylan Powell tells MCA. “It’s about getting the right people in the right places, and making sure the product resonates.” Mary Brown’s is franchising directly in the UK, focusing on multi-site operators and a people-first approach – backed by in-house prep, regional menu tweaks and local marketing. 🔥 Read the full interview on #MCA 👉 https://lnkd.in/egESEmj5 #hospitality #MaryBrowns #QSR #franchising #friedchicken #UK #foodtogo #fastfood #Canada #restaurants

🏨 Hotels risk losing half of F&B spend as guests turn to delivery and dining out New research from Zonal and CGA by NIQ shows 50% of UK hotel guests are likely to order delivery or eat out rather than use on-site F&B. Despite high satisfaction with overall stays (86%), only 71% were happy with food quality and 68% with variety. Room service also fell short, with complaints around cost, limited menus and cold food. Zonal’s Tim Chapman said hotels must “step up their game” to capture more spend: “F&B can play a big role in boosting revenue.” 🍽️ Read more on #MCA 👉 https://lnkd.in/eKn3TsCA #hospitality #hotels #foodandbeverage #guestexperience #delivery #roomservice #value #CGA #Zonal

🍻 Urban Pubs and Bars: ‘It’s about turning experiences into repeat visits’ Urban Pubs & Bars is using SEO, targeted comms and on-the-ground insight to turn special occasions into long-term customer loyalty, according to sales and marketing director Andre Johnstone MBA. Speaking at Food, Drink & Hospitality Week's HRC, Johnstone said the 50-site group leverages its customer database and frictionless bookings to drive revenue, not just footfall. From #StPatricksDay to the #SixNations, UPB builds momentum through tailored offers, local partnerships, and post-event follow-ups. “It’s capturing the customer’s confidence in you – and playing to that,” he said. 📢 Read more on #MCA 👉 https://lnkd.in/eKXu_d39 #hospitality #UrbanPubsAndBars #pubs #QSR #events #loyalty #SEO #restaurants

🍔 The Wendy's Company targets 50 UK sites in 2024, eyes 150 by 2028 Wendy’s is set to open new restaurants in Blackpool, Glasgow, Grays (Lakeside), Watford and York, as it approaches its 50th UK site this year. The QSR brand is aiming for 150 new restaurants across the UK and mainland Europe by 2028. To support franchise growth, it will invest around $70m in its Build-To-Suit programme in 2025. 📍 Read more on #MCA 👉 https://lnkd.in/efMDbrUi #hospitality #Wendys #QSR #franchising #UK #restaurants #fastfood

🏛️ Business Property Relief changes ‘single out’ family businesses Daniel Thwaites chairman Richard Bailey has warned that removing the Business Property Relief death exemption will lead to reduced investment, business closures and a loss of British ownership. Speaking to MCA, Bailey – also chair of the THE INDEPENDENT FAMILY BREWERS OF BRITAIN of Britain – said the proposed changes show “a complete lack of understanding” of long-term investment, calling the tax “laser focused punishment” on family-owned firms. JW Lees Brewery MD William Lees-Jones added that the changes pose an “existential threat” to family businesses and may lead to overseas or private equity buyouts. 📣 Read more on #MCA 👉 https://lnkd.in/eXmmCM6a #hospitality #BusinessPropertyRelief #taxreform #Thwaites #JWLees #UKbusiness #privateequity #investment

🚀 Red Engine Team reports £77.1m in 2024 sales – up 15% on last year The Flight Club Darts and Electric Shuffle operator also reported total group and franchise sales of £118.3m, and expects EBITDA growth from £12m in 2023. #RedEngine plans to grow its global portfolio to 39 venues in 2025, with six new #FlightClub and two #ElectricShuffle sites in the pipeline. Franchise partners have opened venues in Dublin, Washington DC and St Louis, with new sites coming to Newcastle, Philadelphia and Sydney later this year. CEO Steve Moore said: “Expanding our footprint is about… strategic growth and ensuring every new market is the right fit.” 💡 Read more on #MCA 👉 https://lnkd.in/eF8_82kX #hospitality #competitivesocialising #QSR #leisure #restaurants #bars