All Restaurants articles
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Analysis & InsightGrowth in delivery and takeaway sales begins to stabilise
Growth in delivery and takeaway sales began to stabilise in July as hospitality fully reopened and consumers returned to eating out, with July’s delivery and takeaway sales 206% higher than the 2019 equivalent. But data from CGA’s Hospitality at Home Tracker indicates that delivery and takeaways accounted for over a third of restaurant and pub groups’ sales in July, with delivery representing one in five sales.
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NewsOn premise drinks continue to recover
CGA’s Drinks Recovery Tracker has highlighted continuing improvements in on premise drinks sales following the reopening of late-night hospitality. During the week ending 14 August, sales were just -5% behind the same week in 2019, having been as wide as -27% during the week that included the 19 July reopening in England.
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Analysis & InsightBrandwatch: Tim Hortons
Chances are, that if it is not already the case, then a Tim Hortons outlet will soon be appearing in a town near you. According to Kevin Hydes, chief commerical officer, the brand will shortly announce further openings as it continues its UK expansion, away from its northern focus. MCA spoke with Hydes to find out more about its plans, and travelled to Harlow to experience the brand first-hand.
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Analysis & InsightSupply chain fault lines
Supply chain issues are currently hitting the headlines and affecting trade at operators such as KFC and Nando’s. In addition, beer deliveries could be affected by potential strike action by draymen towards the end of August. So, what are the key issues that are causing these supply chain shortages, is the situation likely to continue and what might ultimately be the consequences?
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NewsPrice inflation forecast to rise as supply disruptions hit reopening
Food and drink supply markets have been hit by widespread distribution problems and a spike in demand following the reopening of hospitality, the CGA Prestige Foodservice Price Index reveals. Year-on-year food inflation stood at 1.6% in June, having levelled off at a time of year when it typically falls. The remaining months of 2021 are likely to see further increases in the level of food inflation, as sector demand returns towards pre-pandemic normality and extra supply costs and wage inflation feed into price increases.
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NewsLondon restaurant openings pipeline ‘particularly strong’
The number of restaurants opening in London is set to increase this year with a “particularly strong” autumn pipeline expected. Website Hot Dinners estimates that there could be more than 200 launches this year compared with 137 in 2020.
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NewsNando’s closes restaurants due to supply issues
Nando’s has been forced to close some restaurants and reduce trading hours at others after its chicken deliveries were hit by a nationwide shortage of lorry drivers. The disruption is affecting around 50 out of its 400 restaurants. The company told MCA it would lend 70 staff “to support key suppliers and get things moving again.” Nando’s sites in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, which have a unique customs arrangement due to Brexit, have not been affected.
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NewsHospitality needs sustained support in order to lead the recovery
The latest Future Shock report from CGA and UKHospitality highlights the pandemic’s impact on the sector and analyses the recovery since April’s reopening. A majority of business leaders now feel optimistic about market prospects for the next 12 months, while consumers are increasingly confident about going out.
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Analysis & InsightDessert parlours and QSR chains to lead outlet expansion
While outlet numbers are forecast to decline for the second year running during 2021, there remain strong pockets of expansion, much of which is driven by the use of franchises. Dessert parlours and certain QSR chains in particular are growing rapidly.
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NewsRobin Rowland: ‘Wet-led businesses to benefit most from July 19’
Robin Rowland was a guest panelist on this week’s edition of The Conversation. He predicted a gradual return of consumer confidence within indoor environments, stating that wet-led businesses were more likely to benefit from the final stage of easing Covid restrictions.
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NewsA new crop of tech jobs at Deliveroo
Deliveroo has announced plans to create 400 new high-skilled technology jobs to support growth and focus on key projects, as well as developed new in-app features.
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News‘Brand love remains strong’ at Wahaca
Despite a difficult year, Wahaca believes that the brand’s focus on sustainabilty, quality and value gives it a competitive edge and puts it in a strong position relative to its peers.
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The ConversationVoluntary face masks a ‘welcome step back towards normality’
The latest edition of The Conversation featured discussion around the topic of face masks. Now that face masks are voluntary rather than mandatory, what does this mean for staff and customers alike?
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Analysis & InsightGood weather boosts eating out
Following the reopening of dine-in hospitality consumer participation has increased, thanks to a rise in visit frequency. In the four weeks to 13 June 2021 pubs and restaurants have been the main beneficiaries of this trend, gaining channel share and driving up average spend.
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NewsShake shack debuts in Reading
Shake Shack is to open its latest delivery only kitchen this week in Reading.
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NewsPizza Express to cut further 1,300 jobs
Pizza Express will cut 1,300 roles across its estate as it looks to reduce its UK team. With job losses expected at all of its 370 sites, the business has said it has had to make the difficult decision as a result of declining footfall since September and poor city centre trade. The reduction will take place through a combination of voluntary and compulsory redundancies, and it is hoped the newly downsized team will place the business in a better position to prepare for 2021 and beyond.
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NewsScotland to ease alcohol restrictions
Pubs and restaurants in areas subject to Scotland’s lower three tiers will be able to serve alcohol indoors again from Monday next week, the first minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced.
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NewsKFC to create 5,400 jobs
KFC UK and Ireland has announced plans to create a further 5,400 jobs following a surge in takeaway demand through the coronavirus crisis, Sky News reports.
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NewsJeremy King: Tier 2 leaves London in ‘no man’s land’
Tier two restrictions are the “worst of both worlds”, according to Jeremy King, as he revealed his West End restaurants were down 50% on Monday on the previous week.
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InterviewsGraffiti Spirits' Matt Farell: ‘Liverpool has too much to lose, we’ve come too far’
Graffiti Spirits Group co-founder Matt Farrell told MCA of his devastation and surprise at Liverpool being placed into the harshest tier three coronavirus restrictions.