News

Latin American franchises to disrupt the fast food scene, experts claim

A recent study suggests that the Western-dominated franchise scene will change.

Nando's announces takeaway and delivery pre-ordering service

Nando’s customers can now book their orders a day in advance.

Whitbread now open to selling Costa Coffee

The hospitality company originally planned to spin-off the coffee business.

Din Tai Fung announces opening of first UK site

Their London flagship store will be located in Covent Garden.

Upper Crust to open site in Oxford Services

The new site resulted from a partnership between SSP and Welcome Break.

Nanban unveils new summer menu

The Japanese restaurant owned by MasterChef winner Tim Anderson also released ready-packed picnics.

Labour shortage in farms to possibly hit hospitality food prices, report warns

Purchasing company Lynx says the labour issue is not only due to concerns about Brexit.

McDonald's plans to add self-order kiosks to 1,000 stores each quarter

The global brand's modernisation programme will take place for the next eight to nine quarters.

Feya debuts with first site in Marylebone

The contemporary café features reinventions of usual staples.

Purezza opens first London restaurant

This is the vegan pizzeria's second site. Brighton-based Purezza has officially opened its first London restaurant in Camden, where they will feature an entirely vegan menu. The new plant-based pizzeria seats 100 diners and will operate on two floors.  

Deliveroo announces new POS integration system

The delivery company expects the move to save restaurants millions of pounds. Aiming to assist restaurants in streamlining their order processes, Deliveroo has announced that it is rolling out its Point of Sale (POS) integration system. The company enabled the integration by creating a new API (application programming interface), available through a newly-launched Deliveroo developer portal, which allows POS companies and restaurants to integrate with Deliveroo’s order system. The Developer self-serve portal allows POS companies and restaurants to access, test and manage their integration with Deliveroo’s API themselves, so POS companies and tech-savvy restaurants can integrate with Deliveroo directly in  2 weeks. Deliveroo expects the measure will save restaurants millions of pounds. Currently, 500 restaurant sites are already using integration and the food delivery company anticipates this to increase to thousands by the end of the year. “Our partners have told us that integrating with their sales systems is a key way for Deliveroo to help make delivery easier for them and that’s why we’ve invested in making this happen. By doing this through an API we’ve made integration as straightforward as possible regardless of what kind of system a restaurant is using for point of sale. Cutting out needless time inputting orders into sales systems allows front of staff to focus on delivering an amazing dine in experience while boosting revenues and orders through delivery,” Deliveroo chief technology officer Mike Hudack said.

Pret A Manger conducts nationwide rollout of reusable bottles

Their plastic use reduction initiative is done in partnership with Chilly’s. After trialing in select sites, Pret A Manger’s reusable bottle initiative with bottle company Chilly’s is now rolling out to their 370 shops nationwide.

Rosa's Thai Café acquired by private equity firm TriSpan

The restaurant group currently has 13 sites with three new openings scheduled this year. Private equity firm TriSpan, through its Rising Stars restaurant platform, has announced that it has acquired a majority investment in Rosa’s Thai Café. Rosa’s managing director Gavin Adair will lead the UK-based restaurant group in its next phase of growth. Former YO! CEO and TriSpan European operating partner Robin Rowland will support as Non-Executive Chairman. Rosa’s founders Alex and Saiphin Moore will remain involved in the business, focusing on the group’s culture and innovation and driving food quality. Meanwhile, a “significant number” of employees within the group will have their stock options partially realised and will reinvest with TriSpan.