Casual Dining

Deliveroo teams up with industry experts to accelerate restaurant sector recovery

27-May-2020 By James McAllister

Deliveroo has brought together legal, property and industry specialists to help the restaurant sector accelerate the pace of its recovery.

How I Got Here: Hugo Warner

27-May-2020 By James McAllister

Former Benugo owner Hugo Warner recently founded Hackney-based 'hospitality driven workspace' The Fisheries

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Downtime Development: Plant-based

27-May-2020 By Nestle Professional

The pandemic has given the trend for plant-based eating a significant boost and as a result Nestlé Professional is offering chefs inspiration with a series of innovative plant-based recipes.

Luke Johnson announces opening of new Gail's bakery

26-May-2020 By James McAllister

Artisan bakery chain Gail’s is to push forward with expansion plans in spite of the ongoing Coronavirus lockdown, with a new site in Windsor set to open this week.

Honest Burgers launches Honest Chicken concept

26-May-2020 By James McAllister

Honest Burgers has launched a chicken-focused sister concept out of its restaurant in London's King’s Cross.

Draft House founder Charlie McVeigh to launch Project Pint

26-May-2020 By Restaurant

Draft House founder Charlie McVeigh is launching a campaign championing the role of pubs – and the pint – in British society.

Michelin launches barometer to track the reopening of Michelin-starred restaurants

26-May-2020 By James McAllister

The Michelin Guide has created a barometer to track the reopening of Michelin-starred restaurants around the world that have had to close as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Revolution "well-placed" to return to good levels of trading post-lockdown

26-May-2020 By James McAllister

Revolution Bars Group says it believes it is "well-placed" to return to a good trading level following the Coronavirus crisis.

Dark forces: the restaurants using dark kitchens to survive

26-May-2020 By James McAllister

Keeping the brand alive is a test facing operators across the sector right now. But for some, using dark kitchens to maintain and even expand operations, could hold the key

PizzaExpress considers financial position

26-May-2020 By James McAllister

PizzaExpress could reportedly be forced to close a portion of its UK estate as a result of the growing financial pressures caused by the Coronavirus crisis.

Friday Five: The week's top news

22-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.

Marston’s and Carlsberg UK to merge in £780m joint venture

22-May-2020 By James McAllister

Brewer and pubco Marston’s is to merge its brewing business with Carlsberg UK in a deal worth £780m.

Market Halls partners with The Felix Project for three-day fundraising festival

22-May-2020 By James McAllister

Market Halls is partnering with London-based food waste charity The Felix Project to host a digital, three-day fundraising event over the bank holiday weekend.

Operators should expect a "prolonged spell" of instability in food prices

22-May-2020 By James McAllister

Foodservice operators should expect a "prolonged spell" of instability in food prices as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, according to the latest CGA Prestige Foodservice Price Index.

Wetherspoon unveils masterplan to reopen entire estate

22-May-2020 By James McAllister

JD Wetherspoon has unveiled a £11m masterplan featuring a raft of safety measures to help protect employees and customers when it reopens its pubs.

TGI Fridays 'confident in a successful resumption' of trading in July

22-May-2020 By Restaurant

TGI Fridays has plans in place for a phased re-opening from July, according to its parent company Electra.

Costa Coffee to reopen all UK drive-thrus by next week

22-May-2020 By James McAllister

Costa Coffee has announced that all of its UK drive-thru locations will have reopened by the end of the month.

One-metre rule would greatly benefit sector, according to hospitality leaders poll

22-May-2020 By Stefan Chomka

The hospitality industry would benefit greatly from the halving of the social distancing rule to one metre, according to the latest weekly Hospitality Leaders Poll by MCA Insight/HIM.

Boparan completes on Carluccio's deal

22-May-2020 By James McAllister

Giraffe and Ed’s Easy Diner owner Boparan has completed on a deal to acquire ailing restaurant chain Carluccio's.

Greene King offers tenants 90% rent reduction

21-May-2020 By James McAllister

Pubco and brewer Greene King has announced it is giving a 90% rent reduction to all tied pubs, in its latest wave of financial support.

The Lowdown: The Summer Holidays

21-May-2020 By Joe Lutrario

Domestic holidays could be permitted as early as July as part of the Government's ambitious plans to jump start the tourism sector.

Restaurants in Scotland to remain closed, as First Minister sets out plan to ease lockdown

21-May-2020 By James McAllister

The Scottish Government will "no longer discourage" takeaway and drive-thru food outlets from reopening, but restaurants will have to remain closed for the time being under the First Minister's plans for easing lockdown.

Insurance action group prepares to challenge Aviva and QBE over business interruption policies

21-May-2020 By James McAllister

The Hospitality Insurance Group Action (HIGA) has announced it is preparing to launch a group claim against insurers Aviva and QBE over unpaid business interruption policies.

UKHospitality releases guidelines to help pubs and restaurants reopen safely

21-May-2020 By James McAllister

UKHospitality has released draft guidance for pubs and restaurants preparing to reopen that recommends removing salt and pepper shakers from tables and banning customers from sitting or drinking at bars.

Danny Meyer expects his dining rooms to remain closed until Coronavirus vaccine is found

21-May-2020 By James McAllister

New York-based restaurateur Danny Meyer has said he doesn't expect to reopen the dining rooms of his restaurants until there is a Coronavirus vaccine.

Consumers could spend £3.8bn in hospitality in the first week of re-opening, says poll

21-May-2020 By Restaurant

Consumers could spend £3.8bn in hospitality in the first week of re-opening, according to a new poll.

Tommy Banks to change format of York restaurant Roots post lockdown

21-May-2020 By Stefan Chomka

Tommy Banks says he will change the format of his sharing plates restaurant Roots in York when it finally reopens because of concerns over the Coronavirus.

Insolvency bill presented to Parliament

20-May-2020 By James McAllister

The Government has introduced new insolvency legislation to help prevent struggling companies having to file for bankruptcy because of economic problems caused by the Coronavirus crisis.

Carl Clarke launches Future Noodles kickstarter campaign

20-May-2020 By James McAllister

Chef Carl Clarke has launched a kickstarter campaign to fund the creation of a plant-based instant noodle brand.

Government considering 'blanket permission’ to make public spaces available to hospitality businesses

20-May-2020 By James McAllister

The Government's Housing and Local Government Minister Robert Jenrick says he is considering a ‘blanket permission’ for hospitality businesses to turn public spaces and streets into al fresco dining areas.

Caffè Nero to launch delivery service through UberEats

20-May-2020 By James McAllister

Caffè Nero has announced it is partnering with UberEats to offer a delivery service for the first time.

PizzaExpress plans phased reopening for delivery

20-May-2020 By James McAllister

PizzaExpress is planning to reopen a select number of sites for delivery by the end of next week.

Compass secures £2bn equity raise

20-May-2020 By James McAllister

Catering firm Compass Group has successfully raised £2bn from investors to shore up its finances.

UK eating out market to fall by 60-70% this year

20-May-2020 By James McAllister

The UK eating out market is forecast to contract by between 60-70% in 2020 according to the HIM & MCA Insight UK Recovery Report 2020.

#FAIR4Hospitality campaign launched to support sector as it prepares to restart

20-May-2020 By James McAllister

Trade body UKHospitality has launched a campaign highlighting the leading role hospitality businesses can play in Britain’s economic recovery.

Paul puts its cakes back on the menu with the launch of click and collect

20-May-2020 By Restaurant

Bakery group Paul has relaunched its click and collect service, allowing it to reintroduce its cake offer.

Wagamama to reopen 67 restaurants for takeaway and delivery

20-May-2020 By James Halliwell

Wagamama will reopen 67 sites for delivery and collection by the end of June.

Ottolenghi delis in Notting Hill and Islington to reopen

19-May-2020 By James McAllister

Ottolenghi is to reopen two of its London-based delis for both takeaway and delivery this week, as well as relaunch its online shop.

MPs throw support behind inclusion of tronc in JRS

19-May-2020 By James McAllister

MPs from both sides of the House have pledged to support to a campaign asking Chancellor Rishi Sunak to include tronc payments in the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (JRS).

Honest Burgers reopens for delivery nationwide

19-May-2020 By Joe Lutrario

Following a successful trial, Honest Burgers is planning to re-open the majority of its 38-strong estate for delivery within the next two weeks.

Compass seeks £2bn to "weather" Coronavirus crisis

19-May-2020 By James McAllister

Catering firm Compass Group has launched a £2bn share offer this morning (19 May), as it seeks to raise extra cash to help it “weather” the Coronavirus crisis.

Government expands CLBILs maximum loan size to £200m

19-May-2020 By James McAllister

The Government has increased the maximum loan size available through the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILs) from £50m to £200m.

Just Eat-Takeaway raises doubts over Deliveroo's CMA evidence

19-May-2020 By Georgia Cronin

Just Eat-Takeaway (JETA) has urged the Competitions and Market Authority (CMA) to reconsider its provisional approval of the Amazon and Deliveroo deal as it raises “doubts over the credibility of the exiting firm scenario put forward by Deliveroo.”

Government's proposed immigration bill receives initial backing from MPs

19-May-2020 By James McAllister

The Government’s proposed points-based immigration bill, which could make it impossible for hospitality businesses to secure EU migrants for entry-level positions, has been given initial approval by MPs.

Boparan poised to acquire Carluccio’s

19-May-2020 By James McAllister

Giraffe and Ed’s Easy Diner owner Boparan on the verge of acquiring Carluccio’s in a deal that will save roughly 900 jobs.

Government should consider 'much more practical' one-metre distancing for restaurants and pubs

19-May-2020 By Stefan Chomka

The Government should consider halving its social distancing rule to one metre to ensure hospitality businesses have the best chance of survival once lockdown is lifted, according to pub and bar company BrewDog.

Casual Dining Group in talks with creditors about restructuring

18-May-2020 By James McAllister

Casual Dining Group (CDG) is reportedly preparing to place one of its three core restaurant brands into administration as part of a radical financial restructuring of the business.

Corbin & King 'overwhelmed' by response to gift voucher appeal

18-May-2020 By James McAllister

Restaurant group Corbin & King says it has been overwhelmed by the response to its gift voucher appeal, which it launched earlier this month.

JKS says delivery is 'crucial' post COVID-19 as it re-opens estate

18-May-2020 By Joe Lutrario

JKS Restaurants CEO Jyotin Sethi says that delivery should be a core part of most restaurant’s strategy post lockdown as the sector looks to soften the blow of social distancing measures and a possible lack of demand.

Winding-up petitions against restaurants increase 165%, with further surge expected

18-May-2020 By James McAllister

The number of winding-up petitions issued against restaurants has jumped by 165% so far in 2020, with a second surge expected in the coming months.