Today’s news in brief – 07/05/25

Various Eateries has seen its sales rise by 8.8% in H1 ended 30 March, driven primarily by the contribution of new site openings. While like-for-like sales for the period were flat year-on-year, this was attributed to the impact of Easter falling later in the year and after the period ended. Including the five weeks after 30 March, trading to date – including Easter – like-for-like sales rose by 1.3% compared with the prior year. In addition, site-level EBITDA rose by 81% compared with the prior period.

Popeyes UK has appointed Jo Vaughton as its chief marketing officer. She will join the company in June, and bring more than 20 years of experience in marketing and brand development for high profile consumer brands, both in-house and within agencies. This appointment comes after Popeyes revealed ambitious plans for 2025 to almost double its footprint in the UK, creating approximately 2,500 new jobs and targeting sales of more than £200m. 

UKH, in partnership with the DWP, has announced the launch of hospitality-based SWAPs in 26 areas across England. The new programme trains jobseekers with hospitality skills in a working environment and provides them with both work experience and a guaranteed interview with a choice of employers. The companies, operating both nationally and locally, are working with Jobcentre Plus and local training providers. Successful participants will also receive a new Hospitality Skills Passport, a digital transferable award. 

New alfresco cocktail bar, Ten, will open 8 May at Southbank Centre’s Queen’s Walk in London. The bar will be led by founder Jimmy Garcia, known for The Chalet at Somerset House and Jimmy’s BBQ Club. The menu will feature 10 cocktails that pay homage to London’s drink-making heritage, all crafted with ingredients by local producers, from distillers and brewers within a 10 mile radius of London. The menu will also feature a seasonal special, currently a herbaceous gin and tonic with pea shoots and lemon balm.