Finance – Page 8
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OpinionJamie Oliver: ‘We are in the throes of a culinary brain drain’
The celebrity chef and restaurateur has warned the hospitality sector is being crushed by a combination of astronomical business rates, a rigid VAT system and a mountain of bureaucracy
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NewsBrandon Stephens appointed group CEO for Tortilla as Andy Naylor steps down
The multiple board and management changes, which also include Mac Plumpton joining as UK CEO, come as the fast casual Mexican chain prepares to enter its next phase of development
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NewsPizza Hut to close 250 US sites
The brand’s strategic review is expected to complete later this year, with parent company Yum! Brands proceeding with its ‘Hutt Forward’ program as part of turnaround efforts
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NewsTurin-based coffee roaster Costadoro makes UK debut with double London opening
The Turin-based business has launched sites in Clapham Junction and Beckenham, describing it as ‘a new step’ in its international growth strategy
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InterviewsPitch tees up smaller format to support expansion drive
The competitive socialising brand will launch a smaller footprint venue in London this year with co-founder Chris Ingham telling MCA it will unlock greater expansion opportunities both here and overseas
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NewsTransaction growth, menu innovation drives sales for KFC
KFC UK & Ireland grew system sales by 6.8% in 2025, supported by sustained growth in transactions, delivering growth across formats and a particularly strong performance in Q4
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InterviewsGrind expecting to deliver ‘accelerated growth’ rate this year
The omnichannel coffee business is expecting to deliver an accelerated growth rate of around +25% in its current financial year, following a year of significant growth in FY2024/25, CEO and founder David Abrahamovitch has told MCA.
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NewsDave’s Hot Chicken appoints European business development director
The appointment of Léa Ghanem, who previously spent several years with Starbucks, comes as the Nashville-style chicken brand looks to expand across Europe following its success in the UK
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NewsStar Pubs sees L&T applicants rise 10% in January
The uplift comes against a backdrop of continued cost inflation and ongoing pub closures in parts of the L&T market
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NewsThe Mayfair Chippy heads to Saudi Arabia following franchise deal
The group, which is also seeking further London sites, will make its international debut in Riyadh this summer under a franchise deal with property developer Alidara Real Estate
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NewsZonal acquired by Volaris Group
The UK hospitality technology provider says the deal heralds ‘an exciting new era’ and creates opportunities to accelerate its next-generation software
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NewsBuzzworks reports ‘resilient year’ of trading and investment
The Scottish hospitality operator saw revenue rise, but underlying EBITDA fall slightly against a ‘tough operating backdrop’
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NewsElite Pubs celebrates strong full-year performance
The Kent-based gastro pub and restaurant group grew revenue by 12% in the year to 31 March 2025, with net profit up 22%, in a year “packed with opportunities and positive improvements”
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Analysis & InsightHospitality liquidations remain higher than pre-Covid levels
Research from Begbies Traynor shows the hospitality industry reported some of the highest levels of serious financial distress in Q4 2025 with hotels, bars and restaurants facing the most risk
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NewsUrban Pubs & Bars EBITDA up 50%
The London based operator reported EBITDA after central costs of £17m - an increase of £5m versus reported EBITDA of £12.3m for the financial year ended 27 April 2025
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NewsFarage sets out populist pubs plan
Reform UK has said it will scrap business rates for pubs as well as National Insurance increases for hospitality businesses and reduce VAT to 10%, funded by reinstating the two-child benefit cap
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NewsPunch acquires 30 pubs from McMullen’s
The acquisition was described as a ‘small but strategically important’ addition to Punch’s estate, with the pubs located predominantly across Hertfordshire and Essex
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NewsAG Barr acquires Fentimans and Frobishers
Scottish drinks group AG Barr has acquired adult soft drink brands Fentimans and Frobishers Juices for a combined c.£51m as it looks to capitalise on the consumer trend for reduced alcohol consumption.
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NewsPub investment market remains attractive for quality assets
The pub investment market remains attractive for high-quality, freehold-backed assets despite the challenges facing the rest of the market, according to Fleurets’ latest Survey of Pub Prices report.
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NewsSourdough Sophia completes £1.5m funding round
The neighbourhood bakery has completed a £1.5m fundraising round as it looks to build its business from four sites to 20 by 2029.