Daily news, insight and opinion from the world of restaurants
More than half of hospitality businesses will cut jobs and cancel their investment plans as a result of increases in employment costs and business rates that come into force today (1 April).
Hospitality leaders have entered 2026 with the more optimism than the previous year, new data shows.
Just Eat and Pasta Evangelists are among a number of businesses facing investigation from the UK’s competition watchdog as part of a probe into fake and misleading online reviews.
New delivery offers helped restaurants to strong at-home sales growth in February despite a sharp drop in takeaways, new data shows.
The Mayor of London’s ‘Summer Streets’ fund will return to the capital for a second year, in a bid to boost its bars, cafes, hospitality and nightlife economy.
Pizza Hut UK has its upgraded loyalty programme Hut Rewards so that customers are rewarded every time they order.
Market Halls has secured £11m in funding to support the next phase of its national growth.
A major rewrite of London’s licensing rules could benefit well-run hospitality businesses, but engagement from operators will be critical to getting it right.
Comment
The industry is facing some strong headwinds, but the sector’s ability to continue progressing is striking.
Kricket, the London-based modern Indian group founded by Will Bowlby and Rik Campbell, will open its first overseas site later this year in Dubai.
Prezzo Italian’s family dining subscription, which entitles up to three children to a free three-course meal with an adult main purchase, has had 4,000 signups in its first month.
London operators are being encouraged to respond to a consultation that could bring about the biggest shake-up of licensing in the capital for decades.
Japanese restaurant Shackfuyu will close after more than a decade with its owner converting it into its Bone Daddies format.
Oldham restaurant Delve has closed with immediate effect just months after its owner had announced he was looking to sell.
Boxpark has secured its first multi-year partnership with The Jockey Club that will see it return to the Grand National at Aintree Racecourse for this year.
Two planned 24-hour strikes by London Underground drivers set to take place next week have been called off, the RMT union has confirmed.
Pret a Manger will open its first drive-thru this spring as the group looks to evolve its offer through different formats and locations.
Thai Leisure Group has closed its Thaikun site in Cambridge, with managing director Ian Leigh blaming the move on government policy in a strongly worded statement aimed squarely at Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
Tom Kerridge and trade body UKHospitality have backed a major employment drive by the Government to create 200,000 jobs for young people.
More than 525 restaurants, small and medium sized pubs, and hotels are set to receive free support to cut their energy bills through the extension of a Government-funded energy and carbon reduction tool.
Azzurri Group is reportedly preparing a sale of the UK and European franchises of its fried chicken brand Dave’s Hot Chicken.
The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) will be integrated into HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) from 1 April 2026 as part of changes to the structure of government bodies.
A fresh wave of tube strikes starting from this month threatens to derail the hospitality sector’s hopes for a positive spring and could be devastating for operators it has been warned.
As The Cinnamon Club celebrates its 25th anniversary its co-founder reflects on how it played a pivotal role in challenging perceptions of Indian cuisine in the UK.
Middle Eastern restaurant group Honey & Co are to close their Honey & Spice deli on London’s Warren Street after a decade of trading.
‘Fine fast-food brand’ Yolk has launched another round of fundraising to facilitate the opening of its next two sites.
Heston Blumenthal’s two Michelin-starred restaurant within The Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park will close next year after more than a decade and a half.
Sixco, the group behind tasting menu restaurant brand Six by Nico, will not proceed with its crowdfund.
US casual dining group Chili’s looks set to become the latest American brand to try and crack the UK restaurant sector.
Three NGOs have issued a joint open letter urging hospitality companies to reinstate their commitment to higher welfare chicken.
After 10 years, Alex Claridge has finally realised his ambition of winning a Michelin star for his Birmingham restaurant. It turns out he just needed to stop trying.
The executive director of UKHospitality Scotland has called on the Scottish Government to use almost £1bn in additional funding to expand support for hospitality businesses.
Falmouth restaurant Hevva! will close at the end of the month after just three years.
No offer was made for Scottish brewer BrewDog at any stage of its sales process that would enable it to be preserved in its entirety, and there will be no return for ‘equity for punks’ investors.
Scottish brewer BrewDog has been sold to US pharmaceutical giant Tilray for £33m.
London department store Harrods is facing legal action after a group of workers alleged that a £1 ‘cover charge’ added to its restaurant bills is not being distributed to staff.
Ramen, cocktail and karaoke bar House of Fu has closed its Manchester site after two and a half years of trading.
The Japanese owner of The Real Greek and Franco Manca operator says the group is ‘examining a wide range of restructuring options amid ongoing soft market conditions’
With their new central London project, their largest to date, the Forza Wine duo are upping the ante.
Pizza Express is rolling out nationwide its Mac & Wings delivery-first brand six years after its conception.
The Chancellor’s advisors on entrepreneurship has said that the hospitality sector is ‘not where my efforts are’ and that UK ‘doesn’t need any more restaurants’.
The founder of The Barn restaurant and wine bar is taking significant - and sometimes drastic - strides to become more sustainable.
Fulham Shore has appointed advisors to review its strategic options.
The Hoppers co-founder has spent six years improving efficiency and evolving the scope of his Sri Lankan-focused group. Now he’s opening in Shoreditch, and is hungry for more restaurants.
Comment
A strong restaurant landlord pack is the best way of helping you secure that sought-after site. Here’s what it needs to include.
Boxpark has confirmed it has abandoned plans to open in Bristol and Birmingham.
Daisy Green founder Prue Freeman has defended her company’s takeover of popular park cafes in north London amid a backlash over the move.
The Government is considering scrapping its pledge to pay young people the same minimum wage as older workers, amid warnings the cost of labour is contributing to record youth unemployment.
Bill’s will open its biggest site in more than a decade on the back of a strong performance in 2025.
Political parties in Scotland are being urged to commit to permanently lowering business rates for hospitality in their manifestos by UKHospitality Scotland.