Innovation
We cover the ideas, technologies, and operational changes driving innovation across the UK foodservice sector. From kitchen automation and AI-driven ordering to new menu formats, digital loyalty schemes, sustainable packaging, and service model evolution, this brings together the developments transforming how restaurants, pubs, bars, cafés, and catering firms do business. Whether you’re looking to boost efficiency, improve guest experience, or stay competitive, we report on practical innovations with real-world application, curated for chefs, operators, F&B executives, and hospitality leaders shaping the future of service.
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Sep- 2025 -2 SeptemberCatering Companies
Contract caterers’ sales rise 8% in Q2
Contract caterers saw sales and outlets “sharply” rise by 8% in the second quarter of 2025, according the latest Contract Catering Tracker from CGA by NIQ, Bidfood and UKHospitality. This continued a “long run of growth” in every quarter since mid-2021, when caterers began to recover from the pandemic. After…
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Aug- 2025 -26 AugustRestaurants
Top 100 restaurant groups saw profits jump 18% to £365m in 2024
Profits at the UK’s 100 largest restaurant groups have risen 18% in the past year to £365m, according to new figures from accountancy group UHY Hacker Young. Turnover across the top 100 groups increased by 19% to £12.9bn in 2025, up from £10.8bn the previous year. The report attributes the…
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15 AugustCafes and Coffee Shops
Finsbury Food acquires majority stake in Lola’s Cupcakes
Finsbury Food Group has confirmed it has acquired a 70% majority stake in Lola’s Cupcakes, marking its entry into the direct-to-consumer market. According to Sky News, the deal could value the cupcake chain at more than £25m. The cupcake business trades from a network of 45 kiosks and collection lockers…
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8 AugustPubs and Bars
Butcombe sees 9.8% rise in H1 LFL sales
Butcombe Group has reported a 9.8% increase in like-for-like (LFL) sales across its managed pubs division for the six months to 26 July 2025. The growth, which covers the period from 26 January to 26 July 2025 (H1 2025), was driven by favourable weather and continued strategic investment across the…
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7 AugustCatering Companies
Restaurant Associates renews catering contract with Imperial War Museums
Restaurant Associates has secured a new five-year contract to provide hospitality and retail catering across all five Imperial War Museums (IWM) sites. The agreement covers IWM London, IWM Duxford, HMS Belfast, Churchill War Rooms and IWM North. Under the renewed contract, the hospitality firm will continue managing food and beverage…
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6 AugustRestaurants
Yum Brands sales rise 4% in Q2
Yum Brands has reported that worldwide system sales rose by 4% in its second quarter, led by Taco Bell and KFC where sales were up by 6% and 5%, respectively. In the UK, KFC sales rose by 5% over the period. The group also welcomed “robust” digital system sales which…
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6 AugustPeople
Directional Pizza appoints new Europe CEO
Directional Pizza has announced the appointment of Gino Casciani as its new chief executive for Europe, effective 9 September. Casciani has held senior roles at Pret a Manger, KFC, Taco Bell and Odeon Cinemas Group. He was most recently global chief operating officer at Sushi Daily, part of KellyDeli Group,…
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Jul- 2025 -30 JulyCafes and Coffee Shops
Starbucks turnaround plan ‘ahead of schedule’ despite Q3 sales dip
Starbucks has said a turnaround plan for the group is “ahead of schedule”, despite seeing global comparable store sales fall by 2% in its third quarter. This decline was driven by a 2% decline in comparable transactions, partially offset by a 1% increase in average ticket. In the quarter ended…
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29 JulyFood and Drink
Greggs sees pre-tax profits fall 14.3% to £63.5m
Greggs has revealed that its pre-tax profit fell 14.3% to £63.5m, down from £74.1m, for the 26 weeks ended 28 June 2025. Alongside this, the company saw its operating profit fall 7.1% to £70.4m, down from £75.8m. Despite this, the company’s total sales rose 7% to £1.03bn, up from £960.6m.…
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28 JulyPubs and Bars
General Tarleton pub to reopen as Jeopardy Hospitality’s debut venue
The General Tarleton pub in Ferrensby, North Yorkshire, is set to reopen on 29 August 2025 following a major refurbishment by newly formed group Jeopardy Hospitality. The relaunch marks the first project from the group, co-founded by restaurateur Tommy Banks and partners Matthew Lockwood, James Banks and Neil Armstrong. The…
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