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.

Aug- 2020 -

24 August

Coronavirus

Record economic growth anticipated for Q3

The UK is reportedly on track for a record economic resurgence during the third quarter of the year, following sharp declines in GDP at the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic in Q2. According to the Financial Times (FT), City of London economists have predicted a 14.3% rise in GDP for…
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24 August

Restaurants

Wasabi launches CVA proposal

Wasabi, the grab and go sushi and bento retailer, has announced the launch of a company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) proposal. Founded in 2003 and employing over 1,500 staff, Wasabi operates a total of 51 sushi and bento shops in the UK, the majority of which are located in central London.…
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17 August

Restaurants

Tea at the Ritz diners targeted by credit card scammers

Scammers have targeted guests of Tea at the Ritz, the Ritz Hotel’s iconic dining venue, after posing as staff in order to steal card payment information over the phone. According to the BBC, the scammers, who had the guest’s exact booking information, called diners to confirm their card details. They…
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13 August

Breweries and Distilleries

SIBA backs reverse tax rise petition

A petition launched earlier this week, which calls on the government to reverse the proposed tax rise for small independent breweries, has received over 7,000 signatures in its first 24 hours. The petition was launched by Jack Hobday, one of the founders of Anspach and Hobday Brewery in Bermondsey, which…
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5 August

Pubs and Bars

One in three pubs fail to break even

Over a third of pubs in the UK have failed to break even after their first month of reopening, the British Beer and Pub Association has reported. The latest data comes from a survey of its members that was conducted exactly a month after pubs were allowed to reopen on…
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5 August

Business

CMA clears Amazon’s Deliveroo investment

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has approved Amazon’s 16% investment in Deliveroo, after finding that it will not “substantially lessen competition”. Under the deal, Amazon will acquire 16% of Deliveroo as the lead investor in a $575m (£438m) funding, which was first announced last year. At that point the…
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4 August

Pubs and Bars

Star Pubs & Bars invests £1m into Glasgow pubs

Two Glasgow pubs are benefiting from upgrades as part of a £1.04 million investment in Scotland’s West Central Belt pubs by Heineken-owned Star Pubs & Bars. Work is set to start on a £325,000 refurbishment of The Princess in Riddrie, whilst The Drum in Shettleston reopens this week following a…
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3 August

Restaurants

Casual Dining Group rebrands following takeover

The Casual Dining Group (CDG) has rebranded as The Big Table, following its acquisition by private equity firm Epiris. A new business formed by the firm has successfully concluded a deal to take control of the Las Iguanas, Bella Italia and Café Rouge chains, alongside their existing management team led…
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Jul- 2020 -

28 July

Food and Drink

Greggs swings to £65.2m HY loss

Greggs has reported a pre-tax loss of £65.2m during the 26 weeks to June 27, compared with a £36.7m profit last year. During the six month period, the food-to-go specialist reported a 45% decrease in like-for-like sales to £300.6m, compared with £546.3m in the same period last year. Gross profit…
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23 July

Comment

Yoca: The future of ordering

How does the platform work in practice, both for businesses and consumers? For businesses, we have a completely self-controlled self-service portal. We provide them with an account, which gives full access to menu tools, settings and an orders dashboard. Shops tailor their own structure, and control the naming of their…
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