Today’s news in brief – 08/05/25

JD Wetherspoon has seen its like-for-like sales rise by 5.6% in Q1, with year-to-date like-for-like sales rising by 5.1%. Total sales only increased by 5% in the quarter, which is slightly less than like-for-like sales as the group opened two pubs and sold seven in the year-to-date. The pub operator intends to open a further four or five pubs in this financial year, and approximately 10 pubs in the following financial year. JD Wetherspoon currently anticipates year-end net debt of between £720m and £740m.

Restaurant groups achieved fractional YoY growth of 0.7% in delivery and takeaway sales in March, according to data from CGA. It ends a slow first quarter of 2025 for the sector, after a like-for-like increase of only 1.7% in February and a 0.6% drop in January. However, the latest performance was better than wider restaurant trends which recorded a year-on-year drop of 5.7% in managed restaurant groups’ sales in March. CGA stated that weak delivery and takeaway growth reflected ongoing pressure on many consumers’ spending. 

Big Mamma will be opening a new 9,500 sq ft restaurant in June, having signed at Quadrant’s YY London building in Canary Wharf. This is the latest in a raft of F&B deals to have completed at YY London. Big Mamma will join Brother Marcus and Hagen on YY London’s ground floor facing directly onto the open spaces of Jubilee Plaza opposite the Jubilee Line Underground Station and the new waterfront Eden Dock. YY London was purchased in 2019 by a joint venture.

Thomas Franks has appointed John Fleming as regional managing director for Scotland. He is an award-winning chef with experience at Michelin star restaurants, hotels, stadiums, and foodservice locations. Most recently, he was head of food at BaxterStorey’s Scottish arm. At the family-owned catering group, Fleming will oversee food and operations for its Scottish business which comprises clients such as Edinburgh Airport, Cushman and Wakefield, and a number of independent schools.