Today’s news in brief – 18/11/24

Pizza Hut UK’s biggest franchisee has started approaching potential bidders, according to Sky News. Heart With Smart (HWS), which operates roughly 140 Pizza Hut dine-in restaurants, has instructed advisers to find a buyer or raise tens of millions of pounds in external funding.

Licensed hospitality venues have increased during Q3 despite low confidence post-budget. For a second successive quarter, licensed premises have risen by 0.7%. This rise was equivalent to approximately 661 net new openings, or seven per day, and follows a 0.5% rise in Q2. However, the autumn budget announced a rise in employers’ NI contributions.

The Royal Shakespeare Company has appointed a new head chef, James Eaves, who will launch new menus at the destination’s restaurant. With close ties to Stratford-upon-Avon, Eaves brings extensive expertise, a commitment to culinary excellence, and an “inspiring” record of community service to his new role.

Greek restaurant Hera will open on 21 November at Stratford Cross. Named after the Greek goddess, the new site will seat 200 and have a colour palette of warm, aubergine, copper and gold. The restaurant’s menu is divided into four sections, namely ‘To Begin’, ‘The Garden’, ‘The Farm’, and ‘The Sea’.