WRBM acquires Allegra Foodservice

The deal will see Allegra Foodservice complement WRBM’s existing businesses which include him!​​ – its research-based retail consultancy – M&C Report,​​ The Publican’s Morning Advertiser​​ and Restaurant magazine.​​

"This acquisition helps reaffirm WRBM's position as the clear market leader for insight, news and research in the retail, foodservice and hospitality markets,” said WRBM’s group managing director Charles Reed. “Each element is highly complementary to WRBM's existing businesses.”

The Allegra Foodservice Business focuses on high quality research and information within the restaurant, foodservice and hospitality sectors through brands such as Allegra Food Strategy Forum, Allegra Eating Out Panel, Allegra Restaurant Brand Portal and The Allegra Restaurant Leader Summit.

Allegra Strategies will now be focusing on and expanding its core coffee research practice, with WRBM taking a minority strategic stake in Allegra's World Coffee Portal business which aims to become a global research and information platform for the coffee sector.

New era​

Allegra’s managing director Jeffrey Young said: “After 15 years of producing good work in this sector, I am delighted William Reed Business Media will be taking Allegra Strategies’ Foodservice business forward into a very promising new era. 

“WRBM’s reach within the hospitality sector will enable Allegra Foodservice to provide better services to our existing clients, as well as delivering high quality research and analysis to a whole range of new customers.

“I am also truly excited to be working closely with highly experienced media owners, WRBM, on the development of Allegra World Coffee Portal, a specialist digital knowledge platform on coffee sector trends and analysis across the globe."

Enhanced content​

Jill Livesey, Insight Director of him!, said: "The him! team are really excited and, with Allegra, will continue to enhance the quality of our research and insight. 

“We have seen the trade and supply base increase its strategic focus and investment in the area of food service, restaurants and hospitality and we are pleased to be able to provide an enhanced service."

Tim Brooke-Webb, executive director of WRBM's Hospitality division, added: "This deal brings substantial subscriber benefits to M&C Report through enhanced content and data reporting, plus exclusive research, reaffirming the brand's position as the leading information provider to the eating and drinking-out sector. 

“The additional content and data will also be of tremendous interest to our readers across the division's other brands.”