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.

Jul- 2024 -

22 July

Boxpark to close Shoreditch site

Boxpark has confirmed that it is set to close its East London site in Shoreditch by the end of this summer, after opening in October 2011 as a ‘meanwhile use’ scheme. The closure comes as Boxpark gears up for two new site openings later this year in Camden Town and…
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18 July

Roadchef returns to profitability

Roadchef has returned to profitability for the year ended 31 December 2023 after seeing its revenues jump 16.9% to £256m. It comes as the group reported profits before tax of £13.4m for the period, up from a previous loss of £6.6m. The group’s net assets also rose during the year…
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17 July

UK pubs and bars see ‘massive boost’ during Euro 2024 final

Pub transaction volumes nearly tripled on the day of the Euro 2024 final, increasing 195.6% year-on-year, and up 107.3% week-on-week, according to a new data by Barclays Across England’s seven Euro 2024 matches, UK pub and bar transactions were up 86.4% year-on-year on average, with growth peaking during the final.…
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16 July

Greggs to open new Kettering distribution centre

Greggs has announced plans to open a new national distribution centre at Symmetry Park, Kettering, in partnership with Tritax Symmetry. According to Greggs, this initiative is a “key” part of its growth strategy, aimed at expanding its supply chain to meet the needs of its growing number of shops across…
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2 July

Hard Rock International appoints president of Cafe and Retail division

Hard Rock International announced the appointment of long-time restaurant and hospitality leader Eric Martino as president of the Hard Rock Cafe Division, overseeing operations of the company’s nearly 200 popular eateries around the world. Additionally, Martino will oversee Hard Rock’s Retail Division on a global scale. He reports to Jim…
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Jun- 2024 -

28 June

Heavenly Desserts set to open new Solihull venue

Heavenly Desserts has revealed that it is set to open a new venue in Shirley, Solihull on Saturday 6 July. Located in Parkgate Shopping Centre complex in Solihull, the 44-capacity restaurant will replace part of the old Pizza Express unit. The launch brings Heavenly Desserts closer to 60 sites around…
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27 June

The O2 unveils self-serve bars powered by Just Walk Out technology

The O2 has announced the introduction of self-serve bars, powered by Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology. Building on the already successful deployment of self-order kiosks and self-pour drink stations within the arena, Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology is designed to reduce queues so there will be less time waiting and…
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26 June

Food prices fall as inflation hits 28-month low, CGA report finds

Year-on-year inflation for the hospitality sector has fallen to 4.6%, the lowest Foodservice Price Index figure recorded in 28 months by Prestige Purchasing and CGA’s Foodservice Price Index report, revealing more positive trends for the industry. May also saw month-on-month deflation of negative 0.4% – only the fourth such decrease…
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25 June

Urban Greens to open fifth location

Urban Greens has announced it is set to open its fifth location in July, five years after its first opening. This new site will be the first of a number of impending openings and will be situated near London Wall. The new space will offer Urban Greens salads and the…
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24 June

Market Halls FY revenues jump 155% to £22m

Food hall operator Market Halls has reported a “remarkable” 155% rise in revenues to £22m in the 12-month period to July 2023, which will set the stage for its plans to open more food halls across the country. At the same time, the Gees Court-backed company has secured a prime…
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