News
The News section on Catering Today delivers the latest updates and developments across the UK hospitality and catering industry. Covering restaurants, pubs, quick service brands, and catering groups, it reports on company announcements, market performance, government policy, and sector-wide trends. With a focus on commercial and operational impact, Catering Today’s news coverage keeps hospitality professionals informed of the events and decisions shaping business conditions and strategic opportunities across the sector.
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Sep- 2025 -29 September
Four in 10 Brits say high streets are in decline, UKH finds
Four in 10 people believe their local high street is worse than it was a year ago, according to research published by UKHospitality. The survey of 5,000 consumers, carried out by CGA by NIQ in partnership with Zonal, found the perception of decline was strongest in suburban and rural areas.…
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29 September
Cooks Coffee reports 26.9% rise in UK and Ireland sales
Cooks Coffee Company has reported a 26.9% increase in systemwide sales across its Esquires-branded cafés in the UK and Ireland for the first half of its financial year. For the 26 weeks to 28 September 2025, UK sales were up 26.7% and Ireland sales rose 27.4%. Like-for-like growth also increased…
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26 September
Investor pushes for private equity takeover of SSP Group
An activist investor is reportedly encouraging private equity firms to enter takeover bids for Upper Crust operator SSP Group, after raising its stake in the company. According to The Financial Times, Irenic Capital Management is pushing the move having raised its stake in the food-to-go operator to 3%, up from…
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26 September
The Barbary Notting Hill names Ian Coogan as head chef
The Barbary Notting Hill has appointed Ian Coogan as head chef, drawing on more than 20 years of experience in leading New York restaurants. Coogan, a graduate of the French Culinary Institute, began his career at Eleven Madison Park under chefs Kerry Heffernan and Daniel Humm before moving to the…
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26 September
Bullgogi to open UK’s ‘largest’ Korean BBQ restaurant in Manchester
Bullgogi, the Korean barbecue brand owned by Maguro Group, is set to open what it says will be the UK’s “largest” Korean BBQ restaurant in Manchester on 10 October. The new 165-cover site at Piccadilly Plaza will be the second Bullgogi in the UK, following its Notting Hill Gate opening…
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26 September
Mitchells and Butlers sees sales jump 3.9% ahead of year end
Mitchells and Butlers has reported a 3.9% rise in sales for the 51 weeks to 20 September 2025, with mid-market pubs and pub restaurants driving growth. The company said trading remained “ahead of the market”, though sales were weaker in London and across its more premium businesses. The group increased…
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25 September
Comptoir Group reports modest profit and sales growth in H1
Comptoir Group has seen gross profit rise by 3.1% to £13.1m in its half year results, up from £12.7m the prior year, as the group looked to streamline management focus and operational efficiency. Over the period, revenues rose by 0.6% to £16m, up from £15.9m the prior year, marking a…
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25 September
Historic pub in Monkton Farleigh changes hands to new operator
Christie and Co has revealed that The Kings Arms in Monkton Farleigh has been let to South West-based hospitality group The Beckford Group. Located around five miles from Bath, The Kings Arms in Monkton Farleigh is a traditional public house, with parts of the stone-built property dating back to the…
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25 September
Pizza Express takes £41.8m one-off charge as FY profits recover
Pizza Express has reported that a non-cash charge of £41.8m has reduced the carrying value of the brand to £421.7m for the year ended 29 December 2024. The company maintains that this accounting provision did not reflect underlying trading performance. Excluding exceptional charges, Pizza Express posted a profit before tax…
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24 September
Vegetarian Indian restaurant Namaste Village opens in Oxford
Vegetarian and vegan restaurant group Namaste Village has opened its first Oxford site, adding to its growing portfolio. The new branch is located opposite the Malmaison hotel in Oxford’s Castle development. It joins other Namaste Village restaurants in Twickenham, Southend-on-Sea, Cambridge and Islington, with further openings planned in 2025 and…
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