Cafes and Coffee Shops

The Cafes and Coffee Shops section on Catering Today explores the trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the UK’s vibrant café and coffee sector. Covering independent operators, branded chains, and suppliers, it reports on store openings, menu innovation, sustainability initiatives, and shifts in consumer behaviour. With insights into operations, staffing, and technology, Catering Today provides hospitality professionals with up-to-date intelligence on the business strategies and market forces driving success in coffee-led hospitality.

Feb- 2021 -

9 February

Creams seeks to expand franchise operations

Dessert café brand Creams has announced it is seeking like-minded franchise partners to further roll-out its franchise operation nationwide. Key development areas that have been identified by the group include The Midlands, Yorkshire, North East, North West and Scotland. The “tried and tested” operation, with its own Gelato factory and…
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Jan- 2021 -

4 January

Lord Sugar joins legal battle against Caffe Nero CVA

Lord Sugar has allegedly joined forces with billionaire Issa brothers to rally against Caffe Nero’s CVA rescue deal. According to Sky News, the television star is among seven other parties which are said to have issued a landlord led legal challenge against Caffe Nero with the hopes that it will…
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Dec- 2020 -

22 December

Pistachio Holdings acquires Creams

Pistachio Holdings, a firm backed by Ankush Shah of the East Africa-based Sumaria Group, has acquired a majority stake in the dessert brand, Creams. Creams, which was founded in 2008 by Balal Aqil and Adam Mani, currently employs over 1,400 staff across its 93-strong UK portfolio. As well as his…
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17 December

Paul Bakery seeks UK franchise partners

Bakery chain Paul has announced it is looking to secure UK franchise partners in a bid to roll-out the chain on a national level. The 38-strong bakery said that the “tried and tested” operation has been proven in multiple countries, and will provide franchisees with a national supply chain, as…
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1 December

Caffe Nero snubs Issa brothers offer

Caffe Nero has rejected a takeover offer from the billionaire Issa brothers, after the chain revealed its advisors received an “unsolicited non-binding offer”, from a third party late last night. Yesterday speculation arose about the fate of the coffee chain, after Sky News broke a story about the brothers intention…
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Nov- 2020 -

30 November

Issa brothers eye up Caffe Nero

Mohsin and Zuber Issa, the owners of British petrol retailing company EG Group, are rumored to have proposed a takeover bid for struggling highstreet chain, Caffe Nero. According to Sky News, the offer comes hours before the brand is set to request approval from landlords to cut the price of…
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16 November

Greggs to make 800 job cuts

Greggs has announced plans to cut over 800 jobs from its UK sites, as a result of trading difficulties due to Covid-19. This month, chief executive Roger Whiteside issued a statement on the company employee information site revealing that recent weeks have been “particularly difficult” for the chain and the…
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13 November

Caffe Nero launches CVA proposal

Caffe Nero has launched a CVA proposal, in which it will ask landlords to cut costs as the ongoing impact of Coronavirus take its toll on the coffee chain. The company which employs 6000 people said it was undertaking the proposal to “better manage” its fixed costs moving forward in…
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9 November

Caffe Nero lenders prepare for CVA

Alcentra and Partners Group, which reportedly provides mezzanine debt to Caffe Nero, has called in financial advisers as the company prepares for a CVA that could potentially lead to permanent store closures and job losses. According to Sky News, Alcentra has requested FTI Consulting to join them in discussions regarding…
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Oct- 2020 -

29 October

WSH acquires Bartlett Mitchell

Westbury Street Holdings (WSH), has announced the acquisition of catering company Bartlett Mitchell for an undisclosed sum. Bartlett Mitchell, founded in 2000 by Wendy Bartlett and Ian Mitchell, offers food services to a variety of clients across the UK. Bartlett said: “Our clients will gain from our combined resources. With…
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