Deliveroo to update app with allergen information in wake of Pret crisis October 24, 2018 Food delivery startup Deliveroo has today said it is revamping its app with a new menu system which will allow restaurants to upload allergen information for every dish. London favourites such as Tortilla, Mildred's and Chipotle have signed up for the app's trial roll out in December, which will feature 30 brands that serve almost 300 sites. [...]
Tesco set to launch discount store brand next week September 11, 2018 Supermarket chain Tesco is set to launch a new discount store format next week in a bid to compete with German rivals Aldi and Lidl. The UK's biggest supermarket advertised recruitment for retail assistants, customer service assistants and manager roles for a new store format in Chatteris, Cambridgeshire, earlier this year. Read more: Jamie Oliver joins up with Tesco with [...]
McColl’s sales still impacted by Palmer & Harvey collapse September 4, 2018 Sales at convenience retailer McColl's have struggled to pick up for another quarter as the company still grapples with the collapse of wholesaler Palmer & Harvey. The figures Total revenue in the 13 weeks to 26 August was up 0.6 per cent, but like-for-like sales slipped 0.9 per cent due to continued supply chain disruption. [...]
Margin pressure and bad weather take a slice out of Pizza Express profits but overall sales grow August 29, 2018 Pizza Express unveiled what it called a "resilient" performance today, despite pressure on margins driving down profits. The restaurant chain, which is owned by Chinese private equity group Hony Capital, has faced cost pressures as well as a significant impact from this year's changeable weather. The figures Group turnover in the 26 weeks to the beginning [...]
Richoux shares drop as restaurant group raises extra funds August 29, 2018 Restaurant group Richoux has announced a plan to raise £1.1m through a share subscription as it faces "continued pressure" from headwinds in the casual dining industry. Shares in the Aim-listed company dropped more than 14 per cent in early trading after the announcement. The group, which also includes the brands Villagio, Friendly Phil's, Zintino and [...]
Exclusive: Banking groups Investec and SC Lowy move to rescue Gaucho after buying up debt August 24, 2018 Two banking groups are closing in on an acquisition of Gaucho after buying out debt from the collapsed restaurant chain's other lenders, City A.M. understands. Investec and Hong Kong-based SC Lowy are now moving to buy Gaucho from administrators Deloitte after buying the debt of other lending banks in Gaucho's syndicate. An Investec spokesperson told City A.M.: "Investec [...]
Shares climb higher for Franco Manca’s owner as sales heat up August 23, 2018 Shares in Franco Manca owner The Fulham Shore are trading higher this morning after the company struck a more positive note in its latest trading update. The company, which also owns The Real Greek, has previously warned of a dip in sales at some of its sites and taken action to slow down its rate [...]
Luke Johnson still ‘optimistic’ on leisure sector after selling stake in restaurant group Ego August 22, 2018 Veteran restaurant investor Luke Johnson has said he is still "optimistic" about the leisure sector despite recent high-profile failures. His comments came after it was confirmed that he has sold his stake in 3Sixty, the parent company of 17-strong restaurant chain Ego, to hospitality behemoth Mitchells and Butlers for what he told City A.M. was [...]
Yo! Sushi eyes opportunities for supermarket growth after acquisitions August 21, 2018 Yo! Sushi increased sales last year ahead of two major acquisitions which could see the company expand into the grocery sector this year. The Japanese restaurant chain reported a 1.7 per cent uptick in total sales to £89.9m for the year to 27 November. This included a four per cent rise on a like-for-like basis, driven by the strength [...]
Yo! Sushi buys London-based Waitrose supplier Taiko April 23, 2018 Restaurant group YO! Sushi has continued its expansion drive with the acquisition of a London-based Waitrose supplier. Taiko Foods, which employs 220 people in West London, makes sushi for supermarkets including Waitrose. It follows YO!’s acquisition of 600-branch US and Canada restaurant chain Bento Sushi for £59m last year. Details of today’s deal were not [...]