Comment
The latest comment and opinion, from industry figures and the business journalists at Catering Today. We bring you the latest on what’s happening in the restaurants, bars and catering industry, with exclusive stories, analysis, best practice and industry comment.
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Jun- 2018 -13 June
Social media – a potential goldmine for the licensed trade
The pubs and bars industry remains a challenging place be. With competition for punters ever more fierce, the rising price of food and alcohol, higher rent costs and increased business rates have made conditions ever more difficult. Savvy owners and operators are always looking for something to give them the…
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12 June
The experience-hungry consumer
There’s been lots of talk over the last year or so about the ‘experience economy’. I’m not usually one to go for buzzwords like this, but I actually think there’s something in it for food and drink. We’re seeing lots of mixed messages in the media. Take alcohol for example.…
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11 June
The growing popularity of afternoon tea
“According to OpenTable, bookings for afternoon tea have increased by 54% over the past two years, and it has been found that 20% of the UK population now expect afternoon tea to be a standard offering on the menu. Whilst the traditional afternoon tea of sandwiches, scones and sponge cakes…
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8 June
Forget ‘keeping up’ – stay ahead!
I am constantly asked how we keep on top of the ever-evolving world of food trends, and most importantly, how we ensure our customers continue to be attracted to our food offers. We’re often asked in our industry “how do you compete with the high street?” and “what can you…
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7 June
How to give your pub a traditional British makeover
It’s the pinnacle of UK culture, with any excuse to take a trip down to the pub. But what makes a British pub so British? Invest in high-quality furniture In the Victorian era, interior for an establishment was everything, with no cost spared to demonstrate the prosperity of the landlords.…
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6 June
Struggles in the restaurant sector
In the last three months, we have seen a real struggle from high street restaurants. Some of the biggest chains are reporting branch closures, profit losses and underwhelming performances. These include high street favourites Café Rouge, Jamie’s Italian, Byron Burger and Strada. We cannot but wonder what has brought this…
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5 June
Investing in washrooms is key to driving positive customer experiences
Restaurants rely on repeat custom. Customers expect dining out to provide an experience that goes beyond just good food and are quick to dismiss a venue that isn’t up to scratch. Making a good first impression is key to creating a loyal customer base and owners need to think about…
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4 June
Whining and dining? Embracing technology is the answer
One in five UK diners consider waiting too long for their meals the most irritating thing about eating out, according to new research. The study, conducted by Quadranet, revealed that, as a nation, our bug bears when dining out also include inattentive staff and things on the menu not being…
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1 June
Could GDPR be an opportunity to boost sales?
Liam Hartley-Wright, email marketing manager at catering digital marketing specialists Fat Media, says: “In the wake of GDPR, you may be concerned about your email marketing activity, especially if your database has reduced in size after deleting old contacts. But, rather than a penalty, GDPR should actually be looked at as…
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May- 2018 -31 May
Creating a sustainable future within the hospitality sector
There is an increasing need for businesses in the hospitality industry to foster sustainable initiatives and identify practical solutions to improve their environmental impact. In fact, two-thirds (67%) of UK consumers recently stated they would boycott brands that lacked an ethical conscience. At the same time, the food and hospitality…
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