Emerging Concept

This award celebrates a promising multi-site business set to deliver scale and sustainable success.

Finalists:

• Atis
• Breadstall
• Dave's Hot Chicken
• Notto
• Sandwich Sandwich
• Supernova Burger

Award sponsor: Greene King

Best New Opening

This category goes to a 2025 site opening which combines a great location, outstanding design and exceptional customer appeal.

Finalists:

• BLOODsports, Covent Garden
• BOX, Piccadilly
• Carbone, London
• Liverpool Street Chop House & Tavern, London
• Chotte Matte, Manchester
• Dave's Hot Chicken, London
• Kricket, Shoreditch
• Town Restaurant, Fitzrovia

Award sponsor: Chapman Ventilation

Best Pub Group

This category recognises an outstanding multi-site pub group, greatly admired by the senior industry for its quality proposition and strong leadership.

Finalists:

• Brunning & Price
• Heartwood Inns
• Mitchells & Butlers
• Punch Pubs Group
• Urban Pubs & Bars
• JD Wetherspoon
• Young's

Best Pub or Bar Concept

This award recognises a brand, concept, or format, either independent or part of a wider group, which is delivering for consumers and investors alike.

Finalists:

• Albert's Schloss (Mission Mars)
• Box (Arc Inspiration)
• Deadwax Social (Laine)
• Hickory's (Greene King)
• Lounge (Loungers)
• Roxy Ball Room (Professionals at Play)

Award sponsor: Aspall Cyder

Best Restaurant Company

This category recognises a standout multi-site restaurant group, which demonstrates an exceptional offering and strong leadership.

Finalists:

• Dishoom
• Evolv Collection
• Flat Iron
• Honest Burgers
• JKS Restaurants
• Pizza Pilgrims
• Wagamama

Award sponsor: Sona

Best Coffee Shop or Bakery Operator

Incorporating coffee shops, cafés, dessert parlours and dine-in bakeries, this award recognises companies which have demonstrated strong growth and customer appeal.

Finalists:

• Black Sheep Coffee
• Blank Street Coffee
• Caffe Nero
• Cornish Bakery
• Gail's Bakery
• Gregg's
• Knoops
• WatchHouse

Deal of the Year

This category recognises the stand-out M&A or investment event of the last 12 months, which delivers an opportunity to maximise the business’ potential.

Finalists:

• Dishoom acquired by L Catterton
• Flat Iron jointly acquired by McWin and Trispan
• Leon bought back by John Vincent
• Loungers take private deal with Fortress Investment Group
• Pizza Pilgrims acquired by McWin-backed L'Osteria
• Yard Sale Pizza backed by Piper

Award sponsor: Alix Partners

Best Use of Technology

This award goes to an operator which has led the way with innovative technology, to enhance its business and boost engagement with consumers.

Finalists:

• Azzurri Group
• Joe & The Juice
• Pizza Pilgrims
• Popeyes
• Stonegate
• Yum! Brands

Award sponsor: Nory AI

Best QSR Brand

Recognising the impressive growth of the quick-service sector, this award goes to a brand that has demonstrated strong growth, seamless execution and great value for money.

Finalists:

• Burger King UK
• Chaiwalla
• Chopstix
• Farmer J
• GDK
• Popeyes
• Wingstop

Award sponsor: Venners

Best Hotel Group

From home-grown boutique hotels, to prestigious international operators, this award goes to an established multisite hotel group focused on exceptional customer service.

Finalists:

• Dakota Hotel Group
• Ennismore
• Firmdale
• Mollie's
• The Pig
• The Rosewood
• Zedwell

International Expansion Award

As ambitious operators look at growth beyond the UK, this award recognises the restaurant, food-to-go and quick service brands which have made a global impact.

Finalists:

• Caffe Nero
• Gordon Ramsay
• Hawksmoor
• JKS Restaurants
• Pret a Manger
• San Carlo
• WatchHouse Coffee

Leader of the Year

This award recognises the outstanding leader of the year, as decided by senior UK operators, suppliers and MCA subscribers.

Finalists:

• Alex Reilley, Loungers
• Chris Hill, Urban Pubs & Bars
• Gavin Smith, Pizza Pilgrims
• Laura Harper-Hinton, Caravan
• Nick Mackenzie, Greene King
• Steve Holmes, Azzurri Group
• Tom Crowley, Popeyes

Award sponsor: Uber Eats

The following categories are judged by independent specialist panels. These assess an original, evidenced submission from the business as well as an exploratory interview for each finalist, written by the MCA editorial team.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Decided by MCA’s editor, this award recognises the exceptional achievements and impact an individual has had on the sector over multiple decades.

Finalists will be announced shortly

Award sponsor: Brakes/Sysco

Rising Star

This award goes to an outstanding individual in a multi-site management team who is rising through the ranks and is seen as a future star of the business.

Finalists will be announced shortly

Sustainability Award

This award goes to a company or brand that has gone above and beyond in demonstrating its commitment to reducing its impact on the environment.

Finalists will be announced shortly

Award sponsor: Pernod Ricard

Diversity Leadership Programme

This award recognises the business which has done the most to demonstrate its commitment to promoting and supporting employees from under-represented and minority backgrounds on their journey from the front line to the boardroom.

Finalists will be announced shortly

Award sponsor: Britvic