Food and Drink

The latest news and updates on food, from 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.

Feb- 2025 -

12 February

Northern hospitality outperforms south in 2024, NRB finds

The north of England has recorded a modest growth of 0.1% in licensed hospitality venues, while the south experienced a slight decrease of -0.2% in 2024, according to the latest data from Northern Restaurant and Bar (NRB) and CGA by NielsenIQ. Having tracked a wide range of pubs, bars, restaurants…
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7 February

Claridge’s Bakery names executive baker ahead of summer opening

Claridge’s Bakery has announced that chef and baker, Richard Hart, has been appointed executive baker and creative director ahead of its official opening later this summer. Located on Brook’s Mews, Mayfair, Claridge’s Bakery will launch with a British-focused menu of classics including bloomers and granary loaves, as well as jam…
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7 February

Foodservice prices rise 1% in December as inflation concerns mount

Foodservice prices rose by 1% from November to December – the highest monthly jump since June 2024 – raising fears of renewed price pressures for the UK’s hospitality sector. While year-on-year inflation dropped to 1.9% in the final month of 2024, the latest Foodservice Price Index report from Prestige Purchasing…
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5 February

Nightcap acquires Brighton’s i360 Tower and hospitality venue

Nightcap has announced the acquisition of Brighton’s i360 Tower, following a decision by Brighton and Hove City Council to release the debt in support of the landmark’s future under the hospitality operator’s management. This means that the acquisition has been completed free of debt and any historic liabilities, allowing a…
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Jan- 2025 -

30 January

Takeaway sales flatline in December amid more Xmas socials

Delivery and takeaway sales at restaurant groups saw year-on-year growth slow to 1.9% in December 2024 as consumers’ shifted towards going out, rather than ordering in over Christmas, according to CGA by NIQ’s latest Hospitality at Home Tracker. While at-home sales have risen for 19 months in a row, the…
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29 January

SSP Group holds guidance as sales rise 6% in Q1

The operator of F&B outlets in travel locations, SSP Group, has reiterated its full-year guidance as like-for-like sales rose 6% for the first quarter ended 31 December 2024. For the whole period, group sales were 14% higher than the previous year, with both net contract gains and contributions from acquisitions…
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28 January

Brighton’s sustainable restaurants initiative expands with new workshop

The University of Brighton and Restaurants Brighton have teamed up for a sustainability workshop to help local restaurants reduce their environmental impact and share sustainability success. Taking place on 29 January at Brighton’s Hotel du Vin, the session will provide local restauranters with practical tools to cut their environmental impact,…
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28 January

Almost Famous burger chain confirms closure

Burger chain Almost Famous has announced that it is set to close after financial pressures became “stacked against” it. The company said that the closure was due to lingering debts from the coronavirus pandemic, rising costs and fewer people being able to afford eating out. The brand started in Manchester’s…
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27 January

Popeyes UK to open over 45 sites in 2025

Popeyes has announced plans to double its UK footprint with the opening of more than 45 new restaurants in 2025. In doing so, it will increase its presence in major cities including Birmingham, Leeds and Bristol as well as expanding further in Manchester, Liverpool, London and Scotland. The new sites…
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27 January

SSP Group names incoming CFO

The operator of F&B sites in travel locations, SSP Group, has announced that Geert Verellen will join in early April 2025 as CFO designate, following deputy chief executive and CFO Jonathan Davies’ intention to retire. Davies has been the group chief financial officer of SSP since its original formation within…
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