New Zealand
Reporting on food, drink, and hospitality trends emerging from a market known for its focus on sustainability, provenance, and premium casual dining. This section explores operational models, export supply chains, wine and meat sourcing, and international brand activity relevant to UK operators. Whether tracking global F&B innovation or understanding how New Zealand’s food culture influences sourcing and menu development, this content offers valuable context for chefs, buyers, and hospitality leaders.
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Jul- 2025 -2 JulyCafes and Coffee Shops
Cooks Coffee FY sales rise 36% in UK&I
Esquires Coffee, the operator of cafe chain Cooks Coffee, has reported a 36% rise in total franchisee store sales to NZ$79.6m (£35.3m) in the UK and Ireland for the year ended 31 March 2025. Group revenues increased by 43% to NZ$6.7m (£2.9m) during the same period. This included NZ$1m (£440k)…
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May- 2025 -20 MayGovernment
UKH urges UK and EU to agree on flexible youth experience scheme
UKH has urged the UK government and the European Union to pursue a youth experience scheme with “maximum flexibility” for critical cultural exchange and economic benefit. The call comes as the UK and the EU have recently announced a new deal which includes a number of measures intended to improve…
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Apr- 2025 -28 AprilPubs and Bars
How pubs can score big during this summer’s Women’s Euros
This summer the reigning champion Lionesses will head to Switzerland to defend their Uefa Women’s Euro crown With no major men’s tournament this summer, pubs have a golden opportunity to drive footfall and revenue by tuning into a different kind of football fever: the Women’s Euros. As the Lionesses prepare…
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10 AprilNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief – 10/04/25
Cooks Coffee has seen store sales rise 26.4% to £35.1m in the year to 31 March 2025, with fourth quarter sales having jumped 35% to £9.5m due to strong trading momentum. It comes as the operator of the Esquires coffee chain expanded its estate in the year, from 75 to…
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10 AprilCafes and Coffee Shops
Cooks Coffee FY sales rise 26.4% to £35.1m
Cooks Coffee Company has reported that store sales rose by 26.4% to £35.1m in the year ended 31 March 2025, with fourth quarter sales having jumped 35% to £9.5m due to strong trading momentum. It comes as the operator of the Esquires coffee chain expanded its estate in the year,…
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Dec- 2024 -6 DecemberCafes and Coffee Shops
Esquires Coffee to expand presence in Ireland amid Dairygold deal
International café chain Cooks Coffee has entered into an agreement with Dairygold, which will see it operate and manage four of its Esquires-branded cafés within Dairygold-owned Co-op Superstores in Ireland. The contract, which is for an initial period of 10 years effective immediately, is for cafés located in Middleton, Carrigaline…
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3 DecemberCatering Companies
SSP Group revenues rise 17% to £3.4bn in FY24
Travel caterer SSP Group has reported that revenues rose 17% to £3.4bn in the year ended 30 September, as operating profits jumped by 32% to £206m within the range of its planning assumptions. The group has performed well in North America, the UK, and APAC and EEME, having benefited from…
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Nov- 2024 -20 NovemberCatering Companies
BM Caterers appoint new head of wine
BM Caterers has announced the appointment of Marie Phalippou to the newly created role of head of wine. Phalippou will oversee the group’s wine programme and support key initiatives related to wine education, sourcing and client engagement. She will also work with the culinary team to provide wine pairings that…
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Jul- 2024 -19 JulyNews
Today’s news in brief – 19/07/24
Arc Inspirations has reported that sales doubled due to the Euros final, with like-for-like sales rising 79%. On the seven days that England played – including the match against Spain in the final – the five Box-branded venues in Headingley, Leeds City Centre, Manchester, Birmingham and Nottingham, saw sales jump…
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19 JulyCafes and Coffee Shops
Cooks Coffee appoints new UK-based board members
Cooks Coffee Company, the international coffee-focused café chain, that operates Esquires, the Organic Coffee Company in UK and Ireland has appointed Gareth Lloyd-Jones and Gordon Robinson as non-executive directors. The news comes after New Zealand based non-executive board member Mike Hutcheson resigned after more than 10 years on the board.…
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