Sold

We report on business sales and ownership changes across the UK foodservice and hospitality sector, including restaurant acquisitions, pub disposals, catering firm takeovers, and brand portfolio restructures. Our coverage captures who’s buying, who’s selling, and why, with commercial context that matters to operators, F&B executives, and group-level decision-makers. Whether it’s a strategic divestment, private equity deal, or local venue sale, we break down what the transaction means for market positioning, leadership, and operational continuity across the industry.

Nov- 2024 -

26 November

Pubs and Bars

CAMRA criticises CMBC’s plans to delist 11 beers from pubs

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has reported that pubs will soon be unable to stock 11 beers, including Banks’s Mild, following the Carlsberg buy-out of the last of Marston’s UK brewing operations. CAMRA has expressed concern that powerful global brewers could “hugely reduce consumer choice in the UK” as…
Read More »
7 November

Pubs and Bars

Wetherspoon boss warns of rising prices following autumn budget

Wetherspoon chairman Tim Martin has said the pub group will “make every attempt to stay as competitive as possible” but warned of rising prices in hospitality following the autumn budget. It comes as JD Wetherspoon has reported that like-for-like sales in the first quarter to 3 November were 5.9% higher…
Read More »
Sep- 2024 -

18 September

Regulations & Policies

New packaging rules risk ‘double penalty’ for hospitality, says UKH

UKHospitality has claimed that new packaging rules holding businesses responsible for the end-of-life consequences of packaging risks a “double penalty” for hospitality businesses. It has stated that in many hospitality businesses, packaging deemed as household waste will actually never make it out of a venue and will be disposed of…
Read More »
Aug- 2024 -

30 August

Pubs and Bars

St Austell Brewery acquires The Bell at Broadway

St Austell Brewery has announced the acquisition of The Bell at Broadway near Ilminster for an undisclosed amount. This latest pub will join the independent brewer’s estate of 122 leased and tenanted pubs across the West Country. As the oldest pub in the area, it was sold by local businessman…
Read More »
16 August

Food and Drink

WHSmith rolls out café format amid food-to-go popularity

WHSmith has launched Smith’s Kitchen, a new own-brand café format that will offer dine-in and takeaway options, outside of travel locations. Smith’s Kitchen is the latest major food and drink launch this year, as WHSmith aims to expand its offering for customers and partners. According to the retailer, the new…
Read More »
6 August

News

Domino’s lowers FY profit forecast

Domino’s has downgraded its FY profit forecast saying it now expects underlying EBITDA to be on the lower range of £144.3m – £149.2m. In the 26 weeks ended 30 June 2024, the pizza company saw its statutory profit-before-tax plummet 35.2% to £59.4m. However, underlying PBT slightly increased 0.8% to £51.3m.…
Read More »
Jul- 2024 -

30 July

News

Today’s news in brief – 30/07/24

Greggs has reported that sales rose 13.8% to £960.6m during H1. During the period, the food-on-the-go retailer saw underlying profit before tax rise 16.3% to £74.1m and opened 99 new shops, including 30 relocations and 18 closures. This resulted in 2,524 shops trading. Greggs remains on track to achieve 140…
Read More »
30 July

Pubs and Bars

JD Wetherspoon boss sells £10m of company shares

JD Wetherspoon boss Tim Martin has sold almost £10m worth of shares in the pub chain. On 26 July 2024, Martin sold 1,361,000 of the company’s ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange at a price of £7.39 per share. As a result of the transaction, Martin’s voting rights in…
Read More »
23 July

Restaurants

Tropea expands site to boost restaurant covers

Birmingham-based restaurant Tropea has announced its extension into the premises next door as it looks to expand its offering. The extension will see the addition of a bar that will accommodate up to four covers for walk-ins and table top style dining, alongside a further 15 covers in the restaurant.…
Read More »
19 July

Cafes 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.…
Read More »