Food and Drink

The Food and Drink section on Catering Today covers the latest product trends, menu innovation, and supply chain developments shaping the UK hospitality industry. From ingredient sourcing and menu design to sustainability and consumer preferences, it explores how restaurants, pubs, and catering firms are adapting to evolving tastes and market demands. Featuring updates from suppliers, chefs, and brands, Catering Today provides professionals with commercial insights into the forces driving food and beverage strategy across the sector.

Jan- 2026 -

14 January

Grain debuts Holborn flagship as it targets 10 openings in 2026

Fast-casual brand Grain has officially launched its flagship site at 272 High Holborn, as it looks to open 10 restaurants in major UK cities throughout 2026. The Holborn site’s opening comes with a promotional event that will run from 19 to 24 January, offering a 50% discount across its set…
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8 January

Greggs Q4 sales rise 7.4% as chain outperforms weak market

Greggs has reported that total sales for the fourth quarter ended 27 December 2025 rose 7.4%, with total sales for the entire period increasing 6.8% to £2.15bn. The bakery chain is said to have outperformed a subdued food-to-go market, as it revealed like-for-like sales in company-managed shops increased by 2.4%…
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2 January

The Lost Estate raises first private funding to back expansion

Immersive entertainment company The Lost Estate has completed its first private investment round, implying a valuation approaching £10m as it seeks to expand across the UK and into the US. The funding was led by Mark “Fish” Fisher, a co-founder of Merlin Entertainments and a non-executive director of The Lost…
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Dec- 2025 -

31 December

Vagabond opens UK’s largest urban winery in Canada Water

Vagabond Wines opened what it says is the UK’s largest urban winery at Canada Water in south-east London this December, combining large-scale wine production with a bar, restaurant and events venue. The 6,000 sq ft site includes a fully operational cellar with capacity for 100 tonnes of wine, alongside space…
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22 December

German Doner Kebab opens four new UK restaurants in December

German Doner Kebab (GDK) has opened four new restaurants this month as it continues to expand its UK estate, with new sites in Clydebank, Bournemouth, Leytonstone and Romford. The openings come after the quick-service restaurant chain passed 150 UK locations earlier this year, as it targets further growth across high…
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19 December

Fred Bakery opens second London site in Oxford Circus

Fred Bakery has opened its second London site in Oxford Circus, marking its latest expansion following the launch of its flagship bakery in Holborn. The bakery, founded in 2021, offers a range of breads, pastries and savoury dishes made on site. Its menu includes sourdough loaves, ciabatta and baguettes, alongside…
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17 December

Belfast International Airport awards SSP 10-year F&B contract

Belfast International Airport has awarded SSP a new 10-year contract to expand and refresh its food and beverage offer as part of a wider £100m investment programme. Under the agreement, SSP will increase its operations at the airport to nine units across airside and landside, adding new outlets and refurbishing…
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11 December

Chopstix opens first Sheffield city centre site

Chopstix is to open its first Sheffield city centre restaurant today (11 December), adding a new site in the redeveloped Fargate area as part of a wider expansion across Yorkshire and the North. The company said the store would create 15 jobs and follows recent openings in Doncaster, York and…
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11 December

Leon files for administration and plans site closures

Leon is to close sites and cut jobs after filing for administration as part of a restructuring led by co-founder John Vincent, who bought back the fast-food chain from Asda last month. The company has applied for an administration order to support proposals for a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) aimed…
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10 December

German Doner Kebab opens restaurant at Cobham Services

German Doner Kebab has opened a restaurant at Cobham Services, adding the fast-growing chain to one of the UK’s busiest motorway stops on the M25. The company said the launch offers travellers an alternative to existing food options, with a focus on fresh ingredients and a wider menu. It follows…
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