Inflation
Our coverage compiles our focused reporting on how inflation is impacting the UK foodservice and hospitality sector, from rising ingredient and energy costs to wage pressures, supplier pricing, and menu repricing strategies. We cover the knock-on effects across restaurants, pubs, bars, cafes, and catering firms, with expert commentary and operational insight to help owners, operators, and F&B executives respond effectively. Whether you’re managing margins, adjusting procurement, or making pricing decisions, this archive offers clarity on the inflationary forces reshaping the economics of hospitality.
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Dec- 2023 -20 DecemberComment
Five AI predictions for the industry in 2024
This time last year, I said that the adoption of AI would accelerate massively in the hospitality sector. Look where we are today – only 12 months on – and ChatGPT, which was then unknown, has now become omnipresent. The news is filled with headlines like ‘AI will end work’.…
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13 DecemberComment
How digitisation across the restaurant sector is set to evolve in 2024
As we reflect on the last year, it’s fair to say that the restaurant industry has continued to go through unprecedented digital transformation, as innovation in the sector accelerates. While these changes have presented disruptions and challenges, they have also provided restaurants with the opportunity to get creative and find…
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13 DecemberComment
New immigration rules will make it “next to impossible” for hospitality to recruit overseas workers
The most important change announced by the Government concerns the skilled worker visa because from spring 2024, the earning threshold for overseas workers will increase by nearly 50% from its current position of £26,200 to £38,700. How will this change affect the hospitality industry? It’s just not good for hospitality.…
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13 DecemberNews
UK hospitality groups welcome 4% sales growth in November
Britain’s leading hospitality groups achieved year-on-year sales growth of 4% in November, a new CGA RSM hospitality business tracker reveals. Restaurant and bar groups have now achieved 14 months of like-for-like sales growth in a row. November’s figure marks an increase from October’s figure of 3.2% and is close to…
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12 DecemberNews
Nando’s revenues hit £1.2bn in FY23
Nando’s has reported that revenues increased to £1.2bn for the year ending February 2023 with sales for the group in excess of pre-pandemic levels. Operating profit for the company returned to £17m for the first time since 2020 as margin on returning sales exceeded its fixed operating costs. The group…
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4 DecemberFeatures
Why have London’s restaurants continued to become more expensive?
Data from Harden’s London Restaurants 2024 guide found that the number of restaurants in London charging £150 per head or more per person for a meal has risen 46% to 54 up from 37 last year. The data also found that there has also been a 59% jump in the…
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Nov- 2023 -30 NovemberNews
Today’s news in brief – 30/11/23
Mitchells and Butlers reported a drop in operating profits to £98m for the year ended 30 September due to weaker property valuations and increased costs, including higher wages. Sales, however, rose to £2.5bn, marking a 9.1% like-for-like growth. The group noted a 7.2% rise in like-for-like sales at the start…
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30 NovemberFood and Drink
Mitchells and Butlers sees profits dip to £98m in FY 2023
Restaurant group Mitchells and Butlers has revealed that its operating profits dropped from £124m to £98m for the 53 weeks ending 30 September, driven by weaker property valuations and increased costs, which also included higher wage bills. However, the group’s sales increased to £2.5bn, up from £2.2bn last year, with…
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22 NovemberBusiness
Confidence in hospitality sector climbs again
Nearly half (49%) of hospitality business leaders feel confident about the hospitality market over the next 12 months, up by four percentage points from August’s figure of 45%. Only 5% of leaders say their business is currently at risk of failure, down from 11% last quarter. The number feeling pessimistic…
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20 NovemberCatering Companies
Compass profits hit £1.89bn amid surging sales
Catering company Compass Group has reported a 26.1% increase in operating profit to £1.89bn for the year ended 30 September 2023. The group also recorded a 21.6% increase in revenues to £31bn compared with the previous year. Its operating margin was also up 60bps to 6.8% year on year. The…
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