Cost of Living
Coverage explores the impact of economic pressures on consumer spending, staff retention, and operational costs across the UK hospitality sector. We report on inflation, wage demands, energy prices, and discretionary income trends, analysing how restaurants, pubs, caterers, and other operators are adapting pricing, staffing, and promotional strategies in response to shifting demand and household budgets.
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Sep- 2025 -9 SeptemberRestaurants
Burger and Lobster operating profit hits £2m in 2024
Burger and Lobster has revealed that its UK operating profit rose £0.2m up to £2m for the year ended 29 December 2024. Alongside this, its UK restaurants’ sales amounted to £32.3m, delivering an EBITDA of 10%. However, the company’s UK turnover fell to £34.1m, down from £36.1m the previous year,…
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Aug- 2025 -19 AugustRestaurants
Wahaca returns to FY profit as DF Tacos ceases trading
Wahaca has announced plans to cease operations within its DF Tacos brand, and instead focus on the Wahaca brand as the group welcomed rising turnover and profits in its full-year results. For the year ended 30 June 2024, pre-tax profit hit £0.7m, up from a loss of £0.7m the prior…
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Jul- 2025 -10 JulyPubs and Bars
Footfall and spend nudge up as cost pressure eases, CGA finds
Visits and spending at pubs, bars and restaurants in the UK increased in May, with 92% of people surveyed visiting a venue, an increase of 3% month-on-month, according to data from CGA. The figure is the highest number since November 2024. Alongside this, nearly three in five (58%) of these…
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Jun- 2025 -26 JuneRestaurants
Big Table Group halves FY losses following job cuts
The Big Table Group, owner of Cafe Rouge and Bella Italia, has seen losses before tax narrow by 68%, from £13.8m to £4.4m in its full-year results, following a decision to cut 700 jobs and streamline operations. In the year ended 27 October 2024, Big Table Group’s brands saw full…
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6 JuneFeatures
Predictions vs reality: testing OakNorth’s outlook on hospitality
The hospitality trade is a hard one. It runs hot in summer, cold in winter, and never moves in straight lines. Despite costs rising and customers shifting, the doors must open and the lights must stay on. As a lender to hotels, pubs and restaurants, OakNorth sees much of this…
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Apr- 2025 -23 AprilNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief – 23/04/25
Hospitality has seen “tentative” signs of recovery despite ongoing pressures on household finances affecting consumer footfall and spending, according to data from CGA. Notably, 55% of UK households say they are either severely or moderately impacted by the cost of living. As a result, this adverse impact is stirring up…
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23 AprilBusiness
Hospitality sees signs of recovery amid continued cost of living pressures
The hospitality industry has seen tentative signs of recovery but ongoing pressures on household finances continue to shape channel engagement, consumer footfall, and brand spend, according to data from CGA. Notably, more than half (55%) of UK households say they are either severely or moderately impacted by the cost of…
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7 AprilNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief – 07/04/25
Hospitality venues will be released from red tape which stifles business as the government “backs the British night out”, after revealing its new Plan for Change initiative. Action includes moves to improve the application of licensing laws and strengthen businesses’ competitiveness, giving diners, pub and party-goers more time and more…
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7 AprilPubs and Bars
Wells and Co revenues rise 5.6% to £65.8m in FY24
The operator of pubs and breweries, Wells and Co, has revealed that revenues rose by 5.6% to £65.8m in the year to 30 September 2024, despite tough trading conditions. As well as a revenue uplift, group EBITDA rose by 4.2% to £9.9m during the period. In the UK, EBITDA for…
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Mar- 2025 -27 MarchFood and Drink
Cost of living pressures hold down takeaway sales in February
British restaurant groups continue to struggle for growth in delivery and takeaway sales in February, according to CGA by NIQ’s Hospitality at Home Tracker, which revealed that like-for-like sales were up by only 1.7% from the same period in the year before. The like-for-like sales growth, which was below the…
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