Investment
Our coverage tracks financial activity shaping the UK foodservice and hospitality sector, from venture capital and private equity backing to corporate acquisitions, refinancing deals, and growth funding. Our reporting is focused on the operators, brands, and concepts attracting capital, and what that means for the wider industry. Whether you’re a restaurant group seeking funding, a pub chain monitoring market valuations, or a catering contractor analysing competitor growth, our investment coverage delivers intelligence that helps business leaders understand where money is flowing, and why. Expect deep dives, expert commentary, and deal-by-deal context, all tailored to the foodservice trade.
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Sep- 2025 -29 SeptemberTrade Associations
Four in 10 Brits say high streets are in decline, UKH finds
Four in 10 people believe their local high street is worse than it was a year ago, according to research published by UKHospitality. The survey of 5,000 consumers, carried out by CGA by NIQ in partnership with Zonal, found the perception of decline was strongest in suburban and rural areas.…
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26 SeptemberCafes and Coffee Shops
Investor pushes for private equity takeover of SSP Group
An activist investor is reportedly encouraging private equity firms to enter takeover bids for Upper Crust operator SSP Group, after raising its stake in the company. According to The Financial Times, Irenic Capital Management is pushing the move having raised its stake in the food-to-go operator to 3%, up from…
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25 SeptemberRestaurants
Pizza Express takes ยฃ41.8m one-off charge as FY profits recover
Pizza Express has reported that a non-cash charge of ยฃ41.8m has reduced the carrying value of the brand to ยฃ421.7m for the year ended 29 December 2024. The company maintains that this accounting provision did not reflect underlying trading performance.ย Excluding exceptional charges, Pizza Express posted a profit before tax…
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23 SeptemberFood and Drink
The Original Baker reveals major expansion following investment
The Original Baker, has completed a major expansion project following substantial investment from the Olidor Group. As part of the expansion the company has doubled production capacity, enabled the launch of innovative new product lines, and created a wave of skilled and entry-level job opportunities, delivering fresh economic benefits to…
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23 SeptemberPeople
Market Halls appoints Laine founder as non-exec director
Food hall operator Market Halls has announced the appointment of Gavin George, founder and former chief executive of Laine Pub Company, to its board as a non-executive director. George, who left Laine last year after nearly 30 years leading the pub and brewing business he co-founded, joins Market Halls as…
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22 SeptemberFeatures
What effect will Labourโs proposed business rates reform have ahead of the budget?
After years of pressure from hospitality businesses and the trade organisations that represent them, the government has finally relented. Last week it revealed its proposed changes to the business rates system in England and Wales. Despite this positive news, it remains to be seen how this reform fits in with…
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19 SeptemberApps & Technology
Deliveroo chief exec to step down following DoorDash takeover
Deliveroo has announced that founder and chief executive Will Shu will step down after 13 years leading the food delivery platform. The news comes after Deliveroo agreed to a ยฃ2.9bn takeover by US rival DoorDash. Before founding Deliveroo in 2012, Shu studied for an MBA at the Wharton School and…
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18 SeptemberFood and Drink
KFC to open new restaurant in Moreton creating 40 jobs
KFC has revealed that it is opening a new restaurant in Moreton this weekend, creating 40 jobs as part of the fast-food chainโs wider expansion across the UK and Ireland. The outlet, which opens on 20 September, will have seating for 46 customers, six digital ordering kiosks, on-site parking and…
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17 SeptemberPubs and Bars
Youngโs sales rise 5.6% over summer period
Youngโs has reported that trading momentum has remained strong in the 24 weeks ended 15 September, with like-for-like sales up 5.6% and total sales up 5.3%.ย The group said this reflected a โhealthy demandโ for its pubs, supported by the ongoing sunny weather over the summer as customers โcontinued to…
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16 SeptemberRestaurants
Hospitality job losses to hit 111,000 by next budget, UKH finds
UKHospitality (UKH) has projected that 111,000 jobs will have been lost in hospitality by the upcoming budget, which is set to be announced on 26 November. Based on the latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the group said this is โillustrative of the impact these costs have…
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