United States
Coverage explores hospitality, foodservice, and QSR trends emerging from key U.S. markets, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Austin, with reporting on fast-casual innovation, tech-led service models, menu development, and the global expansion of American restaurant brands. Insight is tailored for UK operators, chefs, and strategists tracking U.S.-led influence in areas such as premium fast food, delivery integration, loyalty platforms, and culinary branding.
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Jul- 2025 -23 JulyRestaurants
Five Guys secures £185m debt deal to fund European expansion
Burger chain Five Guys has secured a £185m refinancing deal to support its expansion plans across the UK and Europe, according to Sky News. Sources told the outlet that the five-year agreement, due to be announced today (23 July 2025) Wednesday, involves lenders including major British high street banks. Five…
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Jun- 2025 -6 JuneCafes and Coffee Shops
Pret owner explores new investors ahead of possible IPO
Pret A Manger owner Jab Holding has reportedly engaged advisers to explore bringing in new investors for the business ahead of a public offering, according to the Financial Times (FT). People with direct knowledge revealed to the FT that Jab Holding, who acquired Pret in 2018 for £1.8m, is exploring…
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6 JuneCafes and Coffee Shops
Black Sheep Coffee and Costa open new cafés on Edgware Road
Two major coffee chains, Black Sheep Coffee and Costa, have opened new sites on Edgware Road in the west end of London as part of ongoing efforts to enhance the area’s retail and hospitality offering. Speciality chain Black Sheep Coffee has launched a 3,000 sq ft site at 124 Edgware…
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May- 2025 -19 MayPeople
Pret appoints former Restaurant Brands CEO as chairman
Pret A Manger has announced the appointment of José Cil, former CEO of Restaurant Brands International, which owns brands such as Burger King, Tim Hortons and Popeyes, as its new chairman. Cil helped grow that business to more than $40bn (£29.88bn) in system-wide sales and 30,000 restaurants in more than…
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8 MayNews
BoE cuts interest rates to 4.25%
The Bank of England (BoE) has cut interest rates to 4.25%, down from the previous rate of 4.5%, marking the fourth rate cut since last year’s peak of 5.25%. At its meeting ending on 7 May, the bank’s monetary policy committee (MPC) voted by a majority of 5–4 to reduce…
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Apr- 2025 -10 AprilFood and Drink
Foodservice YoY inflation holds steady at 1.8% in February
Foodservice inflation held steady at 1.8% year-on-year in February, while month-on-month inflation saw a slight decrease of 0.1%, according to the latest CGA Prestige Foodservice Price Index (FPI). While this reflects some stability for the foodservice sector over the past year, the underlying global economic factors and domestic policy changes…
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Mar- 2025 -31 MarchFeatures
Confronting the realities of foodservice inflation
The latest CGA Prestige Foodservice Price Index (FPI) brought a rare moment of relief to the UK. January 2025 marks the 19th consecutive month of slowing year-on-year inflation. Monthly inflation across the basket of measured items held at 1.8%, while month-on-month inflation remained flat at 0.0% – a welcome pause…
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24 MarchFood and Drink
Wendy’s plans to open 50th UK restaurant this year
Wendy’s has revealed that the brand is on track to open its 50th UK restaurant in 2025, a year that will also see it establish its presence in Scotland, Ireland and Romania for the first time. New Wendy’s restaurants will open in Blackpool, Glasgow, Grays (Lakeside), Watford, and York in…
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20 MarchBusiness
BoE holds interest rates at 4.5%
The Bank of England (BoE) has voted to hold interest rates at 4.5%, having cut the rate last month to its lowest level since June 2023. At its meeting ending on 19 March, the bank’s monetary policy committee (MPC) voted by a majority of 8–1 to maintain the rate at…
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Feb- 2025 -10 FebruaryBusiness
Red Engine unveils expansion plans amid ‘record-breaking’ Q4
Red Engine, the hospitality group behind Flight Club and Electric Shuffle, has unveiled its 2025 global expansion plans as its Q4 sales increased 24% to £25.3m. Its sales combined with its franchise partners reached £38.4m, up 23% year-on-year, with like-for-like sales increasing by 4%. Building on this success, Red Engine’s…
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