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.

Jun- 2022 -

8 June

Pubs and Bars

City Pub Group sales surpass pre-pandemic levels

The City Pub Group has announced its like-for-like (LFL) sales for the month of May have beaten expectations, with sales growing 5% compared to the same period in FY19. Particularly, last week’s trade, which included the Jubilee Bank Holiday celebrations, saw LFL sales increase 20% compared to FY19, as customers…
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7 June

Business

Liberation Group profits hit £9.5m

The Liberation Group has reported its underlying EBITDA hit £9.53m, compared to a loss of £795m in 2021 for the 52 week period ended 29 January 2022, despite another year of disruption due to Covid. Group operating profit also increased from a loss of £9.38m to £2.52m, with group turnover…
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6 June

Pubs and Bars

Revolution Bars Group to open first new sites in four years

Revolution Bars Group, the operator of Revolution, Revolución de Cuba, Playhouse and Founders and Co, has announced it is to open new sites for the first time in four years. The two new sites, based in Exeter and Preston, take the group’s total number of venues to 69, with Revolution…
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1 June

Pubs and Bars

RedCat Pub Company acquires 2 new hotels

RedCat, an investment vehicle founded and chaired by Rooney Anand to invest in the UK pub sector, has acquired The Pheasant Hotel and Blakeney Manor Hotel on the North Norfolk Coast. These are the ninth and tenth acquisitions by The Coaching Inn Group under RedCat ownership since August 2021 and…
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May- 2022 -

27 May

Restaurants

Gees Restaurant & Bar reopens after £1.5m refurb

Gees Restaurant and Bar in Oxford has officially reopened this week following an investment of more than £1.5m. Diners are now able to return to the venue following a 13-week closure while the site underwent a full refurbishment. It now reopens with a renewed glasshouse and two new dining spaces,…
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25 May

Business

EG Group revenues hit £5bn as foodservice profits surge 54%

The EG Group has reported that its revenues surged 25.1% year-on-year from $5.52bn (£4.4bn) to $6.91bn (£5.5bn) in the three months ending 21 March 2022 (Q1), driven by growth in its foodservice business. Foodservice operations saw a 54% rise in gross profits to $175m (£139.7m), compared to $114m (£91m) in…
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24 May

Restaurants

Tortilla acquires Chilango in £2.75m deal

Tortilla, the fast-casual Mexican restaurant group, has announced the acquisition of Chilango Limited for a total consideration of up to £2.75m from investment firm RDCP Group Ltd. Chilango is a fast-casual restaurant chain specialising in Mexican food including burritos, salads and tacos. The business operates from an estate of eight…
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23 May

Pubs and Bars

J&S takes on fifth Star Pubs site

The North Yorkshire multiple operator, J&S Pub Company, has taken on its fifth Star Pubs and Bars site, Mist Bar and Lounge in Scarborough, taking its pub estate to a total of seven. The company has also completed a £205k joint refurbishment with Star Pubs, transforming the high street pub…
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18 May

Pubs and Bars

Marstons returns to profitability as sales hit pre-pandemic levels

Marstons has returned to profitability as its pub operating profit surged to £39.9m in the 26 weeks ending 2 April 2022 (H1 FY22), up from a loss of £57.2m in H1 FY21. Pre-tax profits are also up from a loss of £105.5m last year to £25.6m, and total revenues are…
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18 May

Pubs and Bars

Inflation hits 40-year high

UK inflation has hit its highest level in 40 years during the month of April, driven by the rising cost of energy bills. The figure, according to the latest figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS), was up from 7% in March. The ONS said that around 75% of…
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