News
The latest industry news 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.
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Dec- 2019 -11 December
Number of UK pubs increases for first time in 10 years
The number of pubs in the UK increased for the first time in 10 years in 2019. Hospitality industry software firm Stampede analysed new statistics from the ONS which reported 39,135 pubs at the end of March 2019, an increase of 320 compared with the previous year. The group said…
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11 December
Domino’s UK chairman resigns
The board of Domino’s Pizza group has announced that chairman Stephen Hemsley will step down from the board with effect from 29 December 2019. Senior independent director, Ian Bull, will act as interim chairman until a permanent replacement is announced. Hemsley joined Domino’s in 1998. Since his appointment, the company…
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10 December
Ox and Finch owners to open second restaurant in Glasgow
The owners of the Ox and Finch in Glasgow have announced plans for a second restaurant in the Scottish capital. The Ka Pao will open within the historic, Category A-listed Botanic Gardens Garage on Vinicombe Street, which is located off Byres Road, in January 2020. Housed in the basement of…
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10 December
Half of consumers want more meat-free meals, survey finds
Over half (51%) of diners would like more meat-free options when eating out and over seven in 10 (71%) would like more healthy options, according to a new survey from Nestlé Professional. The report, ‘Balancing Plates: Navigating consumer dining demands in 2020’ surveyed 1,000 consumers in the UK and also…
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10 December
JD Wetherspoon reveals £200m expansion plan
JD Wetherspoon has announced an investment of over £200m in order to develop new pubs and hotels, as well as expanding existing ones in the UK and Ireland, creating about 10,000 new jobs. The pub and hotel chain said the majority of the investment will be channelled into developments in…
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10 December
Carluccio’s plans further expansion through franchise partners
Carluccio’s has announced its intention to seek strategic franchise partners to support it in further business expansion. The Italian restaurant chain plans to expand into travel and airport markets, as well as within the Republic of Ireland. The new franchise sites will reportedly adhere by the new ‘Fresca’ format, with…
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9 December
Pho owners consider sale ahead of expansion plans
The private equity owners of vietnamese restaurant chain Pho are reportedly mulling over a potential sale of the business. According to the Sunday Telegraph, Gresham House, which acquired the chain from Livingbridge in 2018, is considering offloading the business before it embarks on a plan to increase its store state.…
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9 December
The Latymer at Pennyhill Park appoints Steve Smith as head chef
Surrey-based Michelin starred restaurant, The Latymer, at Pennyhill Park has appointed Steve Smith as head chef. He joins from Bohemia at The Club Hotel and Spa in Jersey, where he held the position of executive chef since 2013, which was awarded a Michelin star months after Smith joining. The restaurant…
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9 December
Distillery launches £1m crowdfunding campaign
Leading organic Scottish distillery, Nc’nean, has announced the launch of a £1m crowdfunding campaign. The campaign, launched through investment platform, Seedrs, aims to support the distillery with funds for continued growth. Its target investment will go towards the launch of its first whisky next year, as well as the acquisition…
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6 December
Licensed premises, pubs and restaurant numbers dip in 2019
The number of licensed premises has declined by 2% in the past year, according to CGA and AlixPartner’s latest market growth monitor. This equates to a steady rate of 46 closures of licensed premises a week in the 12 months to September 2019. The result also marked the ninth quarter…
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