Star studded: Leonardo DiCaprio invests in vegan burger chain Neat April 28, 2022 Plant-based burger chain Neat has launched a Series B fundraise with US investors including Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio. The cash injection will be used to accelerate the company’s workforce and new product development, as it looks to expand both its restaurant and consumer goods arms. Neat, which already counts racing driver Lewis Hamilton as an [...]
Tortilla anticipates shaved margins as protein prices spike October 3, 2022 Mexican fast-food chain Tortilla has warned it faces a hit to margins this year after meat prices have soared. Inflationary pressures would lead to a three percentage points reduction in gross margin for the 2022 financial year, to the tune of approximately £1.8m, Tortilla said on Monday. The restaurant brand pointed to a 40 per [...]
San Sebastian: The Michelin capital of the world July 26, 2022 Throughout the confinement of the pandemic we dreamed of the day travel restrictions would finally ease. This year that wish came true – but the monkey’s paw twitched. While we are allowed to fly almost anywhere – even Japan and Korea, some of the strictest countries for Covid restrictions, have welcomed tourists back – but [...]
Next and Frankie & Benny’s bosses under fire for hefty pay packets May 16, 2022 Frankie & Benny’s and Next bosses are under fire for hefty bonuses after both companies received government support during coronavirus measures. Next chief Simon Wolfson took home almost £4.4m last year, up 50 per cent on the year before, including an annual bonus worth 100 per cent of his basic salary. Meanwhile, Andy Hornby, chief [...]
KERB: How London street food giant behind Seven Dials Market aims to make Berlin taste better January 23, 2023 The London street food favourite behind Seven Dials Market, KERB, is expanding via a venue in Berlin’s famous Potsdamer Platz. German foodies will be able to indulge their palates across a two-story street food market which is set to open in the Sony Centre by next year. The market will showcase 12 independent food vendors [...]
Khan: Tourist tax-free shopping u-turn bad for London’s businesses October 18, 2022 Sadiq Khan has slammed the government’s decision to u-turn on a plan to give tourists tax-free shopping. The Mayor of London said he “absolutely” shared the concerns of West End businesses, who have expressed disappointment that the capital will lag behind other cities’ in efforts to welcome high-spending foreign visitors. “VAT-free shopping for international tourists [...]
A glass of wine with: Small Things wine-in-a-can creator Ian Batt April 19, 2023 One day surfing at the beach, Australian winemaker Ian Batt realised wine wasn’t reflecting his lifestyle or ethos. He is now on a mission to upgrade canned wine’s image with his range of well-crafted, first-class wines launching in the UK next month. What inspired you create Small Things Wine?I created a premium wine in can [...]
Axa must pay £4.4m Covid insurance claim to high-end restauranter Corbin & King, High Court says February 25, 2022 High end restaurant business Corbin & King, which owns restaurants across London, including Colbert in Sloane Square and The Wolseley in Mayfair, has won a £4.4m case against insurance giant Axa, after the insurer refused to cover losses incurred by the restauranter during Covid-19. The case comes after Axa said it would not pay Corbin [...]
Hospitality venues ‘pretty full’ minister says, defending current level of government support December 28, 2021 A government minister has suggested the hospitality sector does not require additional financial aid as restaurants appear “pretty full”. The hospitality industry has called for help including VAT and business rates relief following waves of cancellations this month as fears over the Omicron Covid variant grew. Ministers have also urged the public to be cautious [...]
Big Mac beef: LGIM takes aim at McDonald’s for ‘overuse’ of antibiotics in meat production May 22, 2023 Asset management giant Legal & General Investment Management (LGIM) is set for a showdown with McDonalds this week as it leads a fight against the firm’s use of antibiotics in its meat production.