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.

May- 2021 -

26 May

Business

Wingstop invests in UK franchisee

US-based chicken wing restaurant group Wingstop has announced a minority investment into its UK franchisee-owned Lemon Pepper Holdings (LPH). The group claimed that the investment follows the UK’s strong performance, and represents the firm’s confidence in the market as a lever for global expansion. Wingstop made a 100-restaurant sole UK…
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20 May

Pubs and Bars

Maven Leisure secures £4.3m funding for acquisition spree

Maven Leisure is set to raise £4.3m through private equity investment firm Growthdeck in a bid to open a host of new London bars upon the lifting of lockdown. The new venture, which is led by the founders of ETM Group, is looking to use the funds to launch seven…
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19 May

Pubs and Bars

Marston’s posts £105m H1 pre-tax loss

Pub operator Marston’s saw its H1 FY21 losses before tax widen to £105.5m, up from pre-tax losses of £31.1m the previous year. Moreover, the group’s revenues for the six months ended 3 April 2021 plummeted 84% to £55.1m, a sharp decline from H1 FY20’s £343.3m revenues. Marston’s was, however, able…
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12 May

Pubs and Bars

Nightcap raises £10m to fuel further growth

Nightcap, a hospitality group formed by investors Sarah Willingham and Michael Toxvaerd to back the UK premium bar sector, announced it has raised £10m to further its investment strategy and roll-out its latest acquisition, Adventure Bar Group (ABG). The £10m figure raised is “significantly higher” than originally planned owing to…
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12 May

People

Horwood House names Mehdi Amiri as exec chef

Buckinghamshire’s Horwood House Hotel and Spa has announced the appointment of Mehdi Amiri as executive chef at the establishment. In the role, Amiri will lead the hotel’s culinary operations, including room-service, afternoon tea, conference and banqueting. Amiri will also be responsible for two dining concepts, including Harry’s Bar and Kitchen,…
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10 May

Restaurants

Trio of new F&B lettings secured at St Christopher’s Place

BMO Commercial Property Trust, managed by pan-European property investment and asset management specialist BMO Real Estate Partners, has completed a trio of new lettings at its St Christopher’s Place central London estate. San Carlo Restaurant Group has now agreed to take 6,000 sq ft of space on a 15 year…
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10 May

Business

UKH calls on gov to improves capital access for businesses

UKHospitality is calling on chancellor Rishi Sunak for further support by improving access to capital for businesses and sticking to the government’s roadmap of lifting restrictions after 21 June 2021. The latest data from CGA’s Drinks Recovery Tracker showed that during the Bank Holiday weekend, many operators and drinks sales…
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5 May

Food and Drink

Famously Proper acquires Mother Clucker

Famously Proper (FPL), the owner of Byron Burgers, has announced the acquisition of southern fried chicken brand Mother Clucker for an undisclosed sum. The deal will see Mother Clucker “hand over the reins” of its brand to FLP, which is owned and controlled by private investment company Calverton UK. Established…
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Apr- 2021 -

30 April

Trade Associations

UKH Cymru unveils Industry Prospectus ahead of Welsh election

UKHospitality (UKH) Cymru has launched an Industry Prospectus, ‘Hospitality in Wales: A Firm Foundation for Wales’ Future’, for the next Welsh government ahead of next week’s election. The prospectus emphasises the hospitality industry’s importance to the Welsh economy and the need for greater financial support following lockdown. Among the range…
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29 April

Pubs and Bars

The Engine plans May reopening after £240,000 refurb

The Engine, Walbottle has announced a planned £240,000 refurbishment of its premises ahead of the pub’s reopening in May. Owned by Star Pubs and Bars and the Drummond Pub Company, the establishment will see six new jobs created, on the back of the investment adding to the four already created…
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