Casual Dining

Podcast: the Hot 4 U founders on launching a new business during lockdown

05-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

The founders of recently launched delivery brand Hot 4 U say there is plenty of opportunity for chefs to develop new concepts and ideas while the Coronavirus crisis is ongoing.

Greene King expands takeaway and delivery beyond the capital

05-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

Greene King is to expand its recently launched ‘pub grub’ delivery and takeaway service to select locations across the country.

Ready to serve: more than three quarters of hospitality businesses say they can reopen by 4 July

05-Jun-2020 By Restaurant

More than three quarters of restaurant, bars and pubs will be ready to reopen by 4 July, according to the latest weekly Hospitality Leaders Poll by MCA Insight/HIM.

Nearly half of operators expect to have 80% of sites reopen by September

05-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

Almost half of hospitality operators say they expect to have the majority of their estates reopen by this September, according to the latest insight from CGA.

Azzurri Group explores sale options

05-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

The Azzurri Group is reportedly working with advisers on a potential sale of the business, as a result of the downturn caused by the Coronavirus crisis.

Greggs eyes complete reopening by July

05-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

Greggs says it hopes to have all 2,050 of its UK branches open again by the beginning of next month, despite previously rowing back on such plans.

Young’s doesn't expect sales to 'normalise' until 2022

04-Jun-2020 By Georgia Cronin

Young’s expects to have the majority of its 276 pubs reopened by 3 August, but doesn't expect sales to return to normal levels until the 2022 financial year.

Genuine Dining Co to launch delivery service

04-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

Contract caterer Genuine Dining Co has announced the launch of its own delivery service aimed at offices in the capital that do not have in-house catering facilities.

Staff jobs at Manchester bar and restaurant Cultureplex in danger after furlough money is denied

04-Jun-2020 By Restaurant

More than 60 staff at a Manchester bar, restaurant and hotel are on the verge of losing their jobs because the company has been told it is unable to claim payments via the Government’s furlough scheme.

Delving into dim sum: why chef Andrew Wong has gone back to school

04-Jun-2020 By Joe Lutrario

Andrew Wong has become a research associate at London university SOAS, helping academics make sense of ancient Chinese gastronomical texts while driving menu development at his London restaurant A Wong.

TRG to close up to 120 sites

04-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

It is understood that The Restaurant Group (TRG) is to permanently close between 100 and 120 sites.

Trullo to open next-door deli

04-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

Trullo is to open a deli on the site next to its Italian restaurant in London's Islington within the next two weeks.

united we stand

Scottish Government called on to implement one metre distancing rule to save tourism industry

04-Jun-2020 By Restaurant

The Scottish Government has been called on to halve the social distancing parameter for distancing from two metres to one metre and to give the industry a clearer timescale to work towards in order save the majority of the country’s tourism businesses.

Loungers to have nearly 30 sites open for takeout by end of next week

04-Jun-2020 By Joe Lutrario

Café-bar operator Loungers plans to open a further 10 of its sites under its newly created From our Lounge to your Lounge takeout model by next week.

Carluccio's deal costs Boparan £3.4m

03-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

It's been confirmed that Boparan Restaurant Group (BRG) paid just £3.4m in its deal to acquire ailing restaurant chain Carluccio's.

United We Stand

Anglian Country Inns launches new charity initiative

03-Jun-2020 By Restaurant

Anglian Country Inns has launched a charity initiative to give back to key workers and support local charities.

Hospitality firms urged to check insurance policy wording in light of FCA action

03-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

Hospitality firms that have had their business interruption claims rejected are being urged to check the wording of their policies against the sample put forward for a forthcoming test case.

Coqfighter opens second permanent site

03-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

London-based fried chicken brand Coqfighter has opened its second bricks and mortar restaurant.

United We Stand

Customers have an appetite to return to restaurants, says poll

03-Jun-2020 By Restaurant

Almost three-quarters of customers (73%) say they will dine out within days or weeks of the hospitality sector re-opening, according to a poll by the restaurant intelligence platform Yumpingo.

TiPJAR announces partnership with Feed It Back

03-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

Tip solutions business TiPJAR has partnered with customer satisfaction aggregator Feed It Back.

The Restaurant Group set for a raft of closures

03-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

The Restaurant Group (TRG) is reportedly set to tell staff that a "large number" of its sites will not reopen after lockdown.

Manchester bar and restaurant instals forehead temperature scanners for post lockdown reopening

02-Jun-2020 By Restaurant

A Manchester venue has installed forehead scanners to check the temperature of its customers in preparation for its reopening.

Trade bodies 'strongly welcome' FCA's action against insurers

02-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

Three industry trade bodies have issued a joint statement 'strongly welcoming' the action being taken against insurers by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

Cherish Finden named executive pastry chef at Pan Pacific London

02-Jun-2020 By Restaurant

Cherish Finden has been named as executive pastry chef of Pan Pacific London when the hotel opens next year.

Government 'determined' to retain two-metre distancing rule

02-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

Housing minister Simon Clarke has said the Government intends to maintain a two-metre social distancing rule despite growing calls, particularly from within the hospitality sector, for it to be reduced.

Supported by Arla Pro

The Future of Restaurants - Part Four

02-Jun-2020 By Stefan Chomka

In the fourth and final episode of The Future of Restaurants video series, supported by Arla Pro, Tom Barton, co-founder of burger brand Honest Burgers, and Flat Iron managing director Jo Fleet give their perspectives on operating a restaurant post lockdown.

Hakkasan to launch 'virtual' Casa Calavera pop up in London

02-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

The Hakkasan Group is bringing its Mexico-based Casa Calavera restaurant to London as a delivery-only pop up.

Technology

Safe to Trade accreditation scheme launched

02-Jun-2020 By Joe Lutrario

Shield Safety Group has launched an accreditation scheme designed to enable businesses to reopen safely with ongoing COVID-19 checks and monitoring.

Elite Bistros to launch nationwide delivery service

01-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

Gary Usher's Elite Bistros group is to launch a nationwide delivery service this week.

Insurers in business interruption test case named

01-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

Eight insurance firms including Hiscox and QBE will go to court next month to decide whether their business interruption policies should pay out on claims related to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Law firm looking to launch group actions against insurance companies over non payment

01-Jun-2020 By Restaurant

A law firm is looking to launch group actions on behalf of hospitality businesses who have had their Business Interruption claims as a result of Coronavirys declined by insurers.

Bundobust launches online beer and bottle shop Patel's Off Licence

01-Jun-2020 By Restaurant

Indian street food and craft beer specialist Bundobust has launched an online beer and bottle shop.

Lyle's and Flor duo to launch ASAP Pizza

01-Jun-2020 By Stefan Chomka

James Lowe and John Ogier, the team behind Michelin-starred Lyle’s and Borough Market wine bar and bakery Flor, are launching a pizza takeaway brand this month.

KFC reaches 700 site reopenings

01-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

KFC has now reopened more than two thirds of its UK estate.

Casual Dining Group considering potential sale of entire estate

01-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

Casual Dining Group (CDG) says it has received interest from multiple parties over a potential sale of the business.

United We Stand

St John to reopen is Bermondsey bakery this week

01-Jun-2020 By Restaurant

St John is reopening its bakery in London’s Bermondsey later this week having previously closed it as part of the UK lockdown.

PizzaExpress planning to launch pasta delivery brand

01-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

PizzaExpress is reportedly planning to launch a pasta delivery service in a bid to try and mitigate some of the losses caused by the Coronavirus crisis.

Pret calls in consultants to help build 'comprehensive transformation plan'

01-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

Pret A Manger has called in consultants to advise on aspects of a 'comprehensive transformation plan' for the business, as it works to recover following the Coronavirus lockdown.

Chancellor confirms employers will need to contribute to JRS from August

29-May-2020 By James McAllister

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has said that employers will have to make contributions towards the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (JRS) from August.

Estrella Damm to host beer and food pairings webinar

29-May-2020 By Restaurant

Estrella Damm is offering customers the opportunity to learn more about its beers through a webinar, which launches this week

Friday Five: The week's top news

29-May-2020 By James McAllister

As the Coronavirus crisis continues to dominate the headlines, we round-up some of the main stories regarding how it has affected the hospitality industry in the past week.

Pret to triple its number of site reopenings

29-May-2020 By James McAllister

Pret A Manger is to triple its number of store reopenings next week, with a further 204 sites due to reopen on Monday (1 June).

Government to publish code of conduct on commercial rental payments

29-May-2020 By James McAllister

The Government is working with businesses and trade associations to publish a code of practice that will 'provide clarity and reassurance' to both commercial tenants and landlords over rent payments.

Calls for West Midlands to be test bed for early reopening of hospitality sector

29-May-2020 By James McAllister

Regional leaders have called on Government to allow the West Midlands to become a national testbed for an early reopening of the tourism, hospitality and cultural sector.

Future of Soho pub the French House "guaranteed until February" thanks to rent relief

29-May-2020 By James McAllister

The future of iconic Soho establishment the French House, which is home to one of the UK's best restaurants, is "guaranteed until February" following a rent reprieve and successful fundraiser.

Big Mamma: "We are appalled at how the UK Government has handled this crisis"

29-May-2020 By James McAllister

Big Mamma co-founder Victor Lugger says he is appalled at how the UK Government has managed the crisis within the hospitality sector caused by the Coronavirus pandemic.

LabTech unveils reopening plans for Camden Market

29-May-2020 By James McAllister

Following the Government’s recent announcement on the further easing of Coronavirus lockdown measures, Camden Market owner LabTech has set out its plans to reopen the market next Monday (1 June).

Cub and St John chefs team up to launch delivery concept

28-May-2020 By James McAllister

Current Cub head chef Matthew Scott has joined forces with former St John and Silo chef Eddy Tejada to launch a new delivery kitchen concept in the capital.

UKHospitality launches Supplier Alliance

28-May-2020 By James McAllister

UKHospitality has launched a new Supplier Alliance to push for Government support to help businesses that supply to the hospitality sector.

Big Mamma's UK expansion plans on hold in light of Government's handling of Coronavirus crisis

28-May-2020 By James McAllister

French restaurant group Big Mamma may row back on its UK expansion plans, saying the Government’s poor track record during the Coronavirus crisis has led to greater uncertainty over how it will handle Brexit.