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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Mar- 2025 -21 March
Burger King UK seeks £40m refinancing for expansion
Burger King’s main UK operator Bridgestone is initiating talks with lenders for a significant refinancing, as the fast-food group plans to open 30 new restaurants this year, according to Sky News. Almost eight years after acquiring the business, the private equity firm has committed £35m in new equity as part…
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21 March
Carlsberg signs multi-year deal with UEFA
Carlsberg has signed a new multi-year partnership deal with UEFA to become the official beer of UEFA national team football. This includes sponsorship of the men’s Euro 2028, women’s Euro 2029, UEFA Nations League Finals, and UEFA Women’s Nations League, Men’s and Women’s European Qualifiers and UEFA Futsal Euro. As…
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21 March
Tim Martin: NICs and labour rates to cost JD Wetherspoon £60m
JD Wetherspoon boss Tim Martin has warned that the imminent increases in National Insurance and labour rates will result in company cost increases of roughly £60m, which would mean about £1,500 per pub, per week. He said: “Since labour costs are around 35% of the pub industry’s sales, compared to…
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20 March
Today’s news in brief – 20/03/25
UKH have called for packaging supplied to venues to be exempt from the EPR. The likes of Azzurri Group, Burger King UK, Fuller’s, Marston’s, Punch Pubs, St Austell Brewery, Stonegate Group and Wells & Co have signed the letter to Steve Reed, the Defra Secretary of State, that states that…
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20 March
Hospitality businesses claim new packaging rules will ‘cost millions’
Pub and hospitality businesses have joined with UKHospitality to write to Steve Reed, the Defra Secretary of State, to call for packaging supplied to hospitality businesses to be exempt from the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). The likes of the Azzurri Group, Burger King UK, Fuller’s, Marston’s, Punch Pubs and Co,…
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20 March
New Japanese-inspired café to open in Knightsbridge
A new design-led café with minimalist Japanese-inspired ambience, Clap Ka-fe, is set to open in London on 31 March. Rooted in the philosophy that nature’s beauty lies in its imperfections, Clap Ka-fe will focus on “simplicity and organic elegance” reflected in the interiors and menus. Opening in Knightsbridge, Clap Ka-fe…
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20 March
BoE holds interest rates at 4.5%
The Bank of England (BoE) has voted to hold interest rates at 4.5%, having cut the rate last month to its lowest level since June 2023. At its meeting ending on 19 March, the bank’s monetary policy committee (MPC) voted by a majority of 8–1 to maintain the rate at…
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20 March
Hertfordshire Catering appoints new executive chef
Hertfordshire Catering Limited (HCL) has appointed David Stanley as its new executive chef. With “extensive” experience across multiple sectors of the food industry, Stanley brings a passion for nutrition, innovation, and delivering high-quality meals. In his new role, he will lead the development of HCL’s school catering offerings, ensuring quality…
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20 March
Hospitality sees fractional sales growth of 0.1% in February
The top restaurant, pub and bar groups saw their like-for-like sales grow by a fractional 0.1% in February, as consumers continue to remain watchful of their disposable income, according to the latest CGA RSM Hospitality Business Tracker. The 0.1% rise is still well below the current rate of inflation and…
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19 March
Today’s news in brief – 19/03/25
Cornish Bakery has appointed Tamweel to oversee a sale of the business. It comes as the chain has seen sustained year-on-year growth, with revenues and site EBITDA for the 12-month period to May 2025 expected to reach £37m and £8.3m respectively. Under the leadership of MD Mat Finch, Cornish Bakery…
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