Business Model
Our Business Model coverage explores how UK foodservice operators, from restaurants and pubs to caterers and café groups, are adapting and innovating their commercial strategies in response to shifting consumer habits, economic pressures, and competitive dynamics. We report on emerging revenue streams, franchising, delivery models, subscription dining, tech integrations, cost structures, and diversification strategies that define successful operations across the hospitality landscape.
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Apr- 2023 -25 AprilBusiness
Whitbread’s profits hit £413m amid strong Premier Inn performance
Premier Inn owner Whitbread Plc has reported that its annual adjusted pre-tax profit increased to £413m, for the 12 months to March 2, 2023 against a loss of £16m the previous year. The report revealed that the result topped the pre-pandemic annual profit level of £358m achieved in 2019-20. Revenue…
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18 AprilCafes and Coffee Shops
Bob and Berts continues expansion with six new stores
Independent coffee shop chain Bob and Berts has announced plans to open up to six new stores this year in Scotland and England. The opening of these new coffee shops will take its total footprint to more than 30 sites across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The brand operates from…
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Mar- 2023 -9 MarchFood and Drink
Domino’s FY sales boosted by record Q4
Domino’s UK has seen revenues rise by 7% to £600m in FY22, with like-for-like system sales up by 5.3% in the period, boosted by a strong Q4, where record quarterly orders were reported. Profit-before-tax fell by 13.2% to £98.9m however, affected by an additional £2.4m accelerated amortisation and impairment relating…
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3 MarchBusiness
Chishuru launches crowdfund for new Oxford Circus opening
Award-winning West African restaurant Chishuru has launched a crowdfunding page to help raise money for a new opening in central London. Drawing from her Nigerian heritage, chef and founder Joké Bakare opened the restaurant in 2020 in a 32-cover location in Brixton Village which was originally supposed to only last…
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Feb- 2023 -16 FebruaryFood and Drink
SSP Group UK trading hit by rail strikes in Q1
SSP Group has seen its UK sales performance weakened by rail strikes in the first quarter of FY23, as revenues hit only 83% of 2019 levels at £215m. Its overall Q1 performance in the region reflected both the seasonally higher weighting of rail and the impact of more industrial action…
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Jan- 2023 -27 JanuaryPeople
WatchHouse appoints first managing director
Coffee roaster WatchHouse has announced the appointment of Caroline Ottoy as the company’s first managing director, reporting directly to CEO and founder Roland Horne. Prior to her appointment, Ottoy was the head of operations at organic retailer, Planet Organic. Ottoy will be responsible for driving growth for the business by…
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Nov- 2022 -10 NovemberRestaurants
Domino’s sales rise 19% on 2019 but deliveries down in Q3
Domino’s has revealed that its total system sales were up +19.6% in Q3 2022, compared with the same period in 2019. Its like-for-like system sales (excluding splits and the change in the VAT rate) increased +2.4%, and total orders year-to-date was up +0.7. However, Q3 22 total orders were down…
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Oct- 2022 -25 OctoberBusiness
Burger King joins British Franchise Association
Burger King has announced its membership into the British Franchise Association (bfa), as part of a commitment to ethical franchising, and “ensuring franchisees feel confident about the viability of their businesses”. Burger King said it was “excited” to join the association, which aims to “support and influence high quality, ethical…
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Sep- 2022 -28 SeptemberBreweries and Distilleries
Shepherd Neame returns to FY profit as sales rebound
Shepherd Neame has reported a statutory profit before tax of £7.4m for the 52 weeks ended 25 June after a loss of £16.4m the year prior. The brewer, owner and operator of over 300 pubs in Kent and the Southeast, also saw an EBITDA of £23.4m, which “significantly rose” from…
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Aug- 2022 -4 AugustPubs and Bars
Nightcap revenues jump 55.1% to £35.9m in FY22
Nightcap has reported its group revenues surged 55.1% year-on-year from £6m to £35.9m on a combined group of companies basis for the 53 weeks ended 3 July 2022 (FY22), with like-for-like revenues up 23.6%. The fourth quarter ended 3 July 2022 (Q4 FY22) also saw group revenues jump 73.2% to…
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