All news articles
All the news from the UK eating and drinking out industry, from company and brand updates, to people moves and shifting consumer trends
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Five Points Brewing reports strong sales growth
The independent brewery has agreed terms on a new London pub to open this summer, as its latest crowdfund draws to a close
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UK-EU youth mobility would be ‘huge success’ for hospitality
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
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Mac Plumpton joins Leon as MD
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
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Openings of the week
MCA rounds up the week’s biggest openings stories, including Leon, Sticks ‘n’ Sushi, Fuller’s and Shake Shack
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Deliveroo: ‘More stable but still uncertain’ consumer environment
Order growth in the UK and Ireland remained flat year-on-year, albeit the delivery company reported ongoing signs of stabilisation in consumer behaviour
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WatchHouse launches crowdfunding campaign
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
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Loungers continues to go from strength to strength
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
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Wagamama aims for 200 restaurants
The Pan-Asian restaurant chain said it had clear visibility of a profitable openings programme with a healthy pipeline in place, including ten further sites lined up for FY25
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Clean Kitchen co-founder steps down as animal products added to menu
Verity Bowditch has announced she will step away from the formerly vegan restaurant, as the move does not align with her values on animal welfare
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Joe & The Juice strengthens board
Jeffrey Lawrence, formerly EVP and CFO at Domino’s, joins the brand’s board of directors as it accelerates its growth and expansion in international markets
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Hospitality inflation eases slightly
Data from the Office for National Statistic shows inflation continues to soften across the wider economy, as the Consumer Prices Index rose by 3.2% in March, down from 3.4% in February
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NPD taps into global flavour trends
A flurry of seasonal menu refreshes see Subway lean on a growing trend for smokehouse concepts, Loungers inspired by Brixton’s finest Caribbean restaurants, while Pret introduces Thai-style salads and wraps
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Just Eat grows UK sales by 11%
The delivery company accelerated gross transaction value (GTV) growth in Q1 2024, according to an update to the London Stock Exchange
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Revolution Bars sets out restructuring plan
If implemented, the strategy aims to return the company to profitability by improving EBITDA, reducing debt, and enabling a recommencement of the refurbishment program
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Des Gunewardena to launch Engel and Jang
The restaurateur has revealed details about two distinct concepts - a cocktail bar and Korean-Japanese restaurant - launching in the London Royal Exchange this summer
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Hostmore to acquire franchisor TGI Fridays US
The proposed reverse takeover would bring together the casual dining brand’s largest franchisee with its global franchisor for an enterprise value of £177m, with the combined group to be renamed TGI Fridays plc
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Gymkhana Fine Foods raises £2.4m in seed funding
The retail spin-off from JKS Restaurants and former Mars executive Gulrez Arora is being backed by venture capital firm CAVU Consumer Partners
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Bistrot Pierre launches new concept
All-day dining venue Pierre’s focuses on a value for money offering of coffees, cocktails and small plates, and will make its debut in Newport, South Wales next month
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BrewDog Bars 2.5% down in 2024
CEO James Watt put the performance down to a challenged start to the year for hospitality, adding that BrewDog remained 10% ahead of the wider industry
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Asahi: Low & no will generate 50% of global sales by 2040
The Japanese brewing company, which owns Fuller’s beer, is expanding its line-up of low & no beverages through investments in start-ups, to cater to a growing number of health-conscious consumers turn away from alcohol