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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Jan- 2025 -17 January
Directional Capital acquires Pizza Hut’s UK franchisee in pre-pack deal
Directional Capital has acquired Heart With Smart, one of the UK’s leading hospitality franchise operators which manages the operations of the UK Pizza Hut dine-in restaurants, in a pre-pack transaction which sees the transfer and continuing operation of 139 restaurants across the UK. Directional Capital is a US-based private equity…
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17 January
Tortilla appoints director of central operations
Tortilla has announced the appointment of Emily Bagshaw to director of central operations as of this January, simultaneously joining the executive team. The appointment comes as a promotion, as Bagshaw first joined Tortilla in January 2024 as head of central operations. She joined the burrito chain from TGI Friday’s, where…
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16 January
Today’s news in brief – 16/01/25
Individual Restaurants has reported “record” Xmas sales growth of 14% across its portfolio of brands Piccolino, Riva Blu, and Restaurant Bar and Grill. Like-for-like sales for the group increased by 8% in December, whilst covers increased by 4% year-on-year. The year has been fuelled by strategic investments across its portfolio…
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16 January
Individual Restaurants sales rise 14% over Xmas
Individual Restaurants has reported “record” Christmas sales with a 14% growth in the four weeks of December, across its portfolio of world-leading restaurant brands Piccolino, Riva Blu and Restaurant Bar and Grill. Like for like sales for the group increased by 8% in December, whilst covers increased by 4% year…
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16 January
Hospitality helps drive economic growth in November
Food and beverage was the highest performing sector of the economy in November, according to November GDP estimates released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The accommodation and food service activities subsector saw output rise by 2.0% in the month, following a fall of 1.2% in October 2024. Both…
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16 January
The Salad Project opens eighth site on Bond Street
The Salad Project has announced the opening of its eighth location on Bond Street, as it is looking to hit 20 sites by mid-2027. The new Bond Street location combines chef-curated salads with a premium dining experience, featuring a store design by architect Rain Wu. Co-founder, Florian De Chezelles, said:…
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16 January
Searcys adds Gray’s Inn to its London portfolio
Searcys, one of the UK’s oldest event caterers, has welcomed Gray’s Inn to its portfolio of London venues. The group will be providing its catering services as a partner at The Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn from January 2025. Gray’s Inn has a rich history dating back to the 14th…
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15 January
Today’s news in brief – 15/01/25
Some 27,951 venues closed their doors between March 2020 and September 2024 at a rate of 119 per week, according to data from CGA. However, 12,767 have opened during that time, either in vacated premises or in converted or new-build sites. The net result is that the estate of licensed…
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15 January
Hospitality has lost 119 venues per week since March 2020
It has been revealed that 27,951 hospitality venues closed their doors between March 2020 and September 2024 at a rate of 119 per week, according to data from CGA. However, 12,767 have opened during that time, either in vacated premises or in converted or new-build sites. The net result is…
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15 January
Mitchells and Butlers sales rise 3.9% in Q1
Mitchells and Butlers (M&B) has seen a like-for-like sales growth of 3.9% over the 15 weeks ended 11 January 2025. Over the core three-week Christmas period, sales increased 10.4%, a figure built on “numerous record sales performances through the estate and the brand portfolio”. The group said that sales remained…
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