Supply Chain
We cover the supply chain pressures and developments affecting the UK foodservice and hospitality industry, from ingredient shortages and logistics disruption to price volatility, labour gaps, and sustainability goals. Our coverage brings together our reporting on how restaurants, pubs, bars, cafés, and catering firms are adapting procurement strategies, working with suppliers, and maintaining resilience in the face of global and domestic challenges. Whether you’re re-evaluating sourcing models or navigating cost increases, we provide operational insight and real-world examples to support decision-making across the sector.
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Dec- 2019 -9 DecemberComment
Transparency in the food supply chain
Creating transparency in the food supply chain is nothing new, but it has now become inevitable thanks to rapidly growing consumer pressure. Today, consumers want to know exactly where food products come from: 94% believe that transparency fosters brand loyalty, 81% are willing to try a brand’s entire portfolio of…
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4 DecemberAdvice
Traceability: The rise of the conscious consumer
In today’s age, consumers are now looking to extend their consideration for the world beyond their own households and are adopting small changes in behaviour. The rise in the number of dedicated food-related campaigns such as British Food Fortnight and Seafood Week highlights the need for companies to support products…
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Oct- 2019 -24 OctoberComment
Pizza Express: how to keep pizza on the menu and on the High Street
Recent news that Pizza Express, is engaging in ‘debt talks’ has sparked fears that it could be the next company to disappear from the high street. Will it be possible to turn the company’s fortunes around? In a sector as fast-moving as the UK restaurant industry, even small changes can…
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1 OctoberAdvice
Understanding restaurant CVAs and closures
As recently reported by Catering Today, the number of restaurant insolvencies has risen by 25% in the past 12 months. This news came within weeks of 23-site restaurant chain Abokado announcing it was entering into a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) and follows a general trend of high-profile closures throughout the…
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Aug- 2019 -29 AugustAdvice
Whistleblowing on Food Crime
Since 2013, the horsemeat scandal has been the most high profile food fraud issue to date and as a result of the mistrust against the industry by consumers, the Elliot Review recommended that all food businesses take a zero-tolerance approach to food crime and support the incorporation of whistleblowing procedures.…
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21 AugustCatering Companies
Catercost acquired by the EF Group
Catering cloud-based service provider, The EF Group, has announced the acquisition of menu planning, nutrition and allergen management service provider Catercost. Through this acquisition, The EF Group which trades as e-foods, plans to expand its software platform to offer fully integrated menu planning, allergen compliance, purchasing and supply for all…
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Jul- 2019 -16 JulyAdvice
Making coffee accessible to everyone
Speciality coffee was once the preserve of the coffee geeks and hipsters. These days all operators are trying to ensure their coffee is good, otherwise nobody will buy it. Over the last twenty-five years, we’ve seen the industry experience monumental changes in everything from the types of coffee that consumers…
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11 JulyPubs and Bars
Heineken pub chain investigated for ‘unreasonable stocking terms’
Pubs code adjudicator (PCA) Paul Newby and deputy pubs code adjudicator Fiona Dickie have launched an investigation into Star Pubs and Bars Limited – part of the Heineken Group. This is the first investigation by the PCA and follows a period of engagement with Star. The adjudicators said they had…
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8 JulyAdvice
Ways to avoid cross-contamination in your kitchen
The last thing a restaurant owner wants is to risk their customers’ health or that hard-earned consumer trust with an avoidable issue. On a similar wave length, customers don’t want to be affected when they eat out either. Cross-contamination within commercial kitchens is an ever-present risk, but as mentioned, a…
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Jun- 2019 -27 JuneGovernment
FSA continues to look into Listeria outbreak
The Food Standards Agency (FCA) is continuing its investigation into the listeria outbreak, which killed five people. The evidence suggests that all individuals ate the affected products in hospitals before the withdrawal took place on 25 May. The same strain of listeria was identified in meat produced by North Country…
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