Technology
UK hospitality has scored its own technology for the first time. Inventory came last
The Stacked Intelligence Scoring Index, which scores each major technology category, has revealed its rankings.
Product Launches
Equipment
Foster Gamko reveals new KORE range of commercial refrigeration
A new range of commercial refrigeration designed to deliver the quality and reliability has been launched by Foster Gamko.
Technology
Diners want more AI-powered personalisation in restaurants research finds
Personalised offers and rewards are the AI features UK diners want more of, according to new research into hospitality technology.
14 tips to ensure a merry (and profitable) Christmas at your restaurant
The run up to Christmas has officially started, so we’ve brought you an early present.
Book review: The Mon Lapin Cookbook
How this small Montreal restaurant became such a beloved part of Canada’s restaurant scene.
Atis moves into wraps
Atis is expanding its offer with the launch of a range of wraps from next month.
Technology
Popeyes Rewards attracts 100,000 sign ups in the first week of launch
More than 100,000 customers signed up to Popeyes’ loyalty programme in the first week, the company has revealed.
Technology
Chaiiwala launches digital loyalty platform
Chaiiwala has launched a digital loyalty platform that allows customers to earn stamps on purchases and redeem free food and drinks.
Book review: The World Atlas of Wine 9th Edition
The world’s definitive geographical guide to wine returns, combining detailed maps with authoritative writing to explain how location, climate, soil and human intervention shape what’s in the glass.
Technology
Crunchtime launches ‘first truly connected kitchen’
Restaurant operations management software company Crunchtime has launched what it says is the industry’s first connected operations management suite.
Burger King UK ventures further into the chicken category with chicken tenders
Burger King UK is launching chicken tenders nationwide from 15 September as it looks to capitalise on increasing demand for poultry products.
Technology
First Table raises £5m to fund expansion in UK and Ireland
Restaurant booking platform First Table has raised $12m NZD (£5.1m) to fund its next phase of growth, with the UK and Ireland a core part of its expansion plans.
Book review: Michael Wignall
The chef patron of The Angel at Hetton has poured his heart and soul into his debut cookbook.
Technology
HeyGuest partners with OpenTable
AI concierge platform HeyGuest has partnered with bookings platform OpenTable to help restaurants automate guest communications and secure more bookings.
Book review: Mexican Soul: A New Style of Cooking
Chef Santiago Lastra’s debut cookbook applies the philosophy behind his world famous London restaurant KOL to simpler, more accessible dishes
BrewDog co-founder James Watt launches ‘after drinking’ drink Fool’s Fix
BrewDog co-founder James Watt has launched a new drinks brand selling a product designed to be consumed after drinking alcohol.
Book review: The Beefy Boys Great British BBQ
The burger specialists have turned their attention to BBQ for their patriotic second cookbook.
St. Ewe launches free-range liquid egg range
B Corp-certified egg company St. Ewe Eggs has launched a range of free-range liquid egg developed in partnership with chefs.
PAUL partners with Raymond Blanc on limited-edition sandwich range
French bakery chain PAUL is partnering with chef Raymond Blanc OBE to develop a new sandwich range.
Cafédirect unveils major out-of-home refresh
Cafédirect has overhauled its out-of-home coffee range with new packaging and a simplified portfolio designed to make the offer easier for hospitality operators to navigate.
Freixenet Copestick sells Jascots Wine Merchants
Compagnia del Gusto Holding (CDGH) has acquired Jascots Wine Merchants in a deal that the companies say will strengthen their premium wine distribution capabilities across the UK on-trade sector.
Giggling Squid responds to ‘shrinking high street portions’ with generous menu overhaul
Giggling Squid is launching its biggest menu overhaul to date with 16 new dishes in larger portion sizes.
Atis to enter breakfast market with phased rollout
Salad bowl concept Atis is making the move into breakfast in what it describes as ‘a huge moment’ for the brand.
5 ways the industry can become greener
From more careful energy use and better waste management to considered restaurant design, these are the areas businesses should focus on to boost their green credentials.
Products
Damm UK takes a stake in Dalston’s Soda Co
Damm UK has taken a stake in London founded Dalston’s Soda Co, as the first soft drinks partner in its Accelerator Programme at the Damm Eagle Brewery in Bedford.
Technology
OpenTable expands its AI dining assistant Concierge
OpenTable is introducing a new evolution of its AI-powered dining assistant Concierge.
Loungers launches loyalty scheme for families
Loungers has launched a family-focused loyalty initiative for the summer holidays that coincides with the temporary cut in VAT for children’s meals.
Technology
Lolly launches AI-enabled customer hub
Hospitality technology specialist Lolly has launched a new online customer hub designed to give operators easier access to product guidance, training resources and support content.
Books
Book review: Modern Masala
Sanjana Modha’s delightful new books has more tricks than a bridge championship.
Tech
Lightspeed launches Locations Manager to reduce admin for multi-site businesses
Lightspeed has launched a ‘central command centre’ for multi-site hospitality businesses, designed to give operators greater control and visibility across all of their venues.
technology
AmEx buys restaurant reservations platform TheFork
American Express (AmEx) has agreed to buy Tripadvisor’s restaurant booking app TheFork for $700m (£522.5m).
TheFork’s payment app makes UK debut
Restaurant booking platform and restaurant management software provider TheFork has launched its payment facility in the UK.
Technology
Dojo launches payments intelligence platform for hospitality businesses
Payments technology provider Dojo has launched a platform that turns card payments data into commercial insights for hospitality and retail businesses.
Club Prezzo racks up 500,000 sign-ups in its first year
Prezzo Italian’s loyalty scheme has had more than half a million sign-ups in the first year, according to the chain.
Angela Hartnett partners with Waitrose for large range of fresh Italian products
Angela Hartnett MBE has partnered with Waitrose to launch a range of chilled Italian-inspired products.
Gymkhana Fine Foods partners with Waitrose for first-ever fresh food range
Gymkhana Fine Foods – the retail brand linked to the two-Michelin-starred London restaurant of the same name – is moving into fresh foods for the first time following a partnership with Waitrose.
Shopping forecast: the latest product launches for restaurants
This month’s key NPD include a new ice cream range designed with professional chefs in mind and Square’s new AI-powered conversational assistant.
Plump and grind: Joe & the Juice launches collagen-infused matcha drink
Joe & the Juice is tapping into the booming matcha market as well as the growth in healthy ingredient collagen with its latest innovation.
Papa Johns reacts to changing pizza landscape with new sourdough range
Papa Johns is to launch a range of sourdough pizzas following what it says has been two years of development.
Island Poké founder James Gould-Porter turns supplier with British spring water brand
Island Poké founder James Gould-Porter has moved from operator to supplier with the launch of Elder, a new British spring water brand offering a closed-loop glass bottle system.
Côte launches French only online wine shop
Côte Brasserie has expanded its online offer with the launch of a wine shop dedicated to France’s vineyards and winemaking heritage.
Crust brothers: Pizza Pilgrims teams up with well-known restaurant brands to get the nation dipping
Pizza Pilgrims is teaming up with restaurant brands Dishoom, Honest Burgers, Pho and Sweet Dee’s Jerk to launch a limited-edition pizza crust dipper menu.
Liquid assets: March 2026
This month’s roundup of drinks news includes a listening bar created by Monkey Shoulder and the first permanent new expression from Hendrick’s for nearly a decade.
Just Eat partners with Nisbets to cut equipment costs for restaurants
Just Eat has partnered with catering equipment supplier Nisbets to offer independent UK restaurant partners discounts of up to 20% on catering goods.
EatClub dining app to expand into Manchester following funding round
Dining app EatClub, which is backed by Marco Pierre White, is to roll out its technology into Manchester following a funding round.
Coming in hot: Ikoyi launches line of sauces and seasonings
Ikoyi co-founders chef Jeremy Chan and Iré Hassan-Odukale will launch a line of sauces and seasonings pitched at home cooks next month.
Domino’s CHICK ‘N’ DIP brand takes flight across the country
Domino’s is to roll out its CHICK ‘N’ DIP offer across all its sites in the UK & Republic of Ireland following a successful regional trial.
Just Eat launches ‘first-of-a-kind’ AI voice assistant
Just Eat has launched an AI-powered ‘delivery concierge’ service, which enables customers to voice order and be given personalised recommendations.
KFC announces nationwide launch of its Kwench drinks brand
KFC UK & Ireland has made its ‘Kwench by KFC’ speciality drinks range available across its UK restaurants.
Italian restaurant Vieni to open in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter
A new Italian restaurant is set to launch at The Goodsyard on Pitsford Street, becoming the first hospitality venue to welcome guests into the landmark new development.