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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Nov- 2018 -29 November
Gove meets with restaurant chains over labelling law change
Environment secretary Michael Gove has met with allergy groups and food businesses, including Pret A Manger to discuss his commitment to change the law around allergen labelling. On Monday, Gove and food minister David Rutley held a roundtable meeting with allergy groups, specialists and industry stakeholders to discuss options for…
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29 November
Frankie and Benny’s offers free meal to diners who hand in mobile phone
Frankie and Benny’s has announced a new ‘No Phone Zone’ promotion, which will see a free meal offered to diners who hand in their phone before eating. Staff at the chain will “encourage” diners to put their phones in a special box before being seated. The promotion comes after research…
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28 November
The Restaurant Group acquisition of Wagamama to go ahead
The Restaurant Group’s (TRG) acquisition of Wagamama is to go ahead despite 40% of shareholders voting against the deal. Shares in the group sank by 13% on Wednesday, with big name shareholders concerned about price and debt levels for the group. Debbie Hewitt, chairwoman of TRG, said she was pleased…
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28 November
Vegan protesters booed out of Brighton restaurant
Vegan protesters have been booed out of a Brighton restaurant by diners after they played sounds of animals being slaughtered and chanting “it’s not food, it’s violence”. The incident happened at Brighton’s Touro Steakhouse, where diners replied to the vegan hecklers by booing and then chanting: “You’re not singing anymore,”…
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28 November
Chef Michael Caines to open restaurant in Exmouth
Award-winning chef Michael Caines MBE is the latest tenant to join property developer Grenadier’s new scheme on Exmouth waterfront. Caines, who grew up in Exeter, will be opening a restaurant with a bar and café area with a brand new food and drink offering for visitors. His plans for the…
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28 November
Costa and Barclaycard release ‘UK first’ contactless reusable cup
Costa Coffee has partnered with Barclaycard to launch reusable contactless coffee cup, which is said to be the first of its kind in the UK. Available in Costa Coffee stores this November, the Clever Cup utilises contactless payment technology to turn customers’ reusable coffee cups into a way to make…
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27 November
St Peter’s Brewery launches zero alcohol beer on draft for first time
St Peter’s Brewery has signed a new contract with the Old Spot Pub Company to serve its 0.0% golden craft beer, Without brand, on tap for the first time. Available in 30 litre stainless steel kegs, the beer will be served on draft in the Old Spot Pub Company’s establishments…
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27 November
Steak house chain launches the ‘Brexit Burger’
To help Britons count down to the Brexit deadline, steak house chain Steakout will be offering a Brexit Burger and French fries meal. The Brexit Burger will be a “topsy-turvy concoction of cultures” with a British beef patty, smothered in neutral Swiss cheese, Steakout’s own burger sauce, some Spanish Lettuce…
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27 November
Pub employment rises despite closures
A new report has found that pub employment has risen in the last 10 years despite a quarter of pubs closing during that time. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) report, the increase in employment could be down to the increase in pubs serving food, which is more…
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27 November
Carlsberg pollution leads to restorative charity donations
Carlsberg has paid £120,000 to environmental charities as part of an Enforcement Undertaking (EU), following two pollution incidents in the River Nene, in Northampton. The EU was offered to the Environment Agency after the company admitted causing two similar diesel pollution incidents in the River Nene in July and October…
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