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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May- 2018 -25 May
Oakman Inns sees 6.8% sales growth
Pub chain Oakman Inns has reported a 6.8% growth in like-for-like sales, with the group recording a total growth of 22.2% for the year. Growth has continued into the new financial year as the pub chain saw it up 5.2% over the first seven weeks. Oakman Inns CEO Peter Borg-Neal,…
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25 May
Private equity firms flirting with Costa Coffee
A group of private equity firms are attempting to purchase Costa Coffee, despite owner Whitbread’s desire to float it on the stock market. The Press Association said that it understood Whitbread had been approached informally over a buyout of the firm. Despite potential interest from elsewhere Whitbread is continuing plans…
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24 May
Three quarters of recruiters ‘don’t see any value’ in apprenticeship levy
According to new research three quarters of recruiters see no value in the apprenticeship levy. The research conducted by the Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo) also found that fewer than half are currently using their levy funds, or planning to do so in the next 12 months. Samantha Hurley,…
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24 May
Westfield competition offers chance to open popup restaurant
Westfield has announced a new competition offering participants the chance to open their own pop up restaurant. The competition, in partnership with Omar Allibhoy, will see the winner awarded a space in the newly refurbished food court of Westfield London, as well as 20 hours tuition from Allibhoy. The competitors…
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24 May
InterContinental London’s O2 branch appoints new head chef
The O2 branch of InterContinental London has announced the appointment of new head chef, Lalit Bisht. Bisht will join executive chef Johan Rox and his team at the Market Brasserie from his executive chef position at Hilton Seychelles. The new head chef started his culinary journey in 1993 as a…
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24 May
Atalian Servest makes double acquisition
Atalian Servest has announced that it has made a double acquisition, both The Unique Catering Company and Thermotech. The company’s first acquisitions since the merger between Atalian and Servest will see its portfolio strengthened in both the contract catering sector and under the Arthur Mckay group with the acquisition of…
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23 May
Welsh chefs go head-to-head for National Chef of the Year final place
Two Welsh chefs are set to go head to head for a place at the final of National Chef of the Year. National Chef of Wales contest winner Thomas Westerland and runner-up Matthew Ramsdale will be involved in a cook off for a place at the final, across four heats…
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23 May
Frankie and Benny’s owner sees share rise after drop in sales
The company behind Frankie and Benny’s, Chiquitos and Garfunkel’s, Restaurant Group, has seen shares rise by 4.9% up to 329p. The company attributes the share price increase to “strategic initiatives” from which it expects to see further success “as the year progresses”. The company is also now looking to open…
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23 May
Report highlights ‘generous salaries’ on offer for chefs in the hotel industry
A new report benchmarking salaries in the hotel industry has revealed that nine out of 10 of the lowest grade roles offer salaries 10%-20% above the minimum wage. The report also found that general managers earn the highest average salaries within the hotel industry, with head chefs earning the second…
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23 May
Nandos denies ‘Tory discount’
Nandos has denied reports that it was partnering up with the Conservative Party to offer a discount to members. The ‘peri peri’ chicken restaurant chain has denied reports, with a spokesperson saying: “Nando’s has no political affiliations as a brand and no political discount card exists. “We have a Nando’s…
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