Pizza Pilgrims’ co-founder on creating the perfect base for strong growth November 8, 2024 Pizza Pilgrim's co-founder Thom Elliot has hospitality in his veins. In just over a decade, he and his brother James have gone from growing up above a pub in Cornwall to opening their 25th pizzeria this November.
Inside the Farringdon restaurant serving crocodile goujons and excellent steak November 7, 2024 Vivat Bacchus in Farringdon is now serving customisable braai boards, but Morning Wire popped in for crocodile and sirloin steak WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH VIVAT BACCHUS? Translated from Latin, Vivat Bacchus means ‘glory to the wine god!’, which, as sayings go, feels like a fitting starting pistol to a City lunch. Vivat Bacchus has a [...]
Inside the Surrey estate loved by Cliff Richard and Andy Murray November 7, 2024 The Surrey estate is close to Windsor and has historic parkland backing onto new residential properties Set amid 78 acres of land, including wildflower meadows, the Surrey country estate of Sunningdale Park was established in the late 1700s and for centuries was home to all manner of Sirs and High Sheriffs, including at one point [...]
Debts revealed at Michelin-starred restaurant backed by Gary Neville November 7, 2024 The company behind a Michelin-starred restaurant backed by Gary Neville that closed last year owed almost £1m as it entered liquidation, it has been revealed. The restaurant, called The Man Behind The Curtain, was located in Leeds and run by chef Michael O’Hare. It was awarded a Michelin star in October 2015, three AA Rosettes in 2016, and attracted investment [...]
Hawksmoor: Sales and profits sizzle as steak chain hunts for a buyer October 29, 2024 Sales and profit both surged at Hawksmoor during its latest financial year ahead of a potential sale which could value the steakhouse chain at £100m. The London-headquartered business has reported a turnover of £89.7m for 2023, up from the £73.9m it achieved in 2022. Newly-filed accounts with Companies House have also revealed that the firm’s [...]
Loss widens at Papa Johns in UK ahead of major closure plans October 14, 2024 The UK arm of pizza chain Papa Johns lost almost £20m in the year before it decided to close more than 40 underperforming restaurants. The Milton Keynes-headquartered division has reported a pre-tax loss of £19.9m for 2023, having also lost £4.1m in 2022. Newly-filed accounts with Companies House also show its turnover nudged up from [...]
Giggling Squid laughs all the way to the bank as Thai restaurant chain returns to profit October 14, 2024 Thai restaurant chain Giggling Squid returned to profit during its latest financial year as it sales hit another record. The Guildford-headquartered company has reported a pre-tax profit of £1.5m for the 12 months to 31 March, 2024. The new total comes after the business fell to a pre-tax loss of £1.9m in the prior year. [...]
Taco Bell returns to profit ahead of administration woe October 11, 2024 The UK and European arm of Taco Bell returned to profit in 2023 ahead of one of its franchise partners entering administration. The Surrey-headquartered division has reported a pre-tax profit of $2.2m (£1.6m) for 2023. The total comes after Tac Bell reported a pre-tax loss of $1.8m (£1.3m) for 2022. Newly-filed accounts with Companies House [...]
TGI Fridays: Full list of UK restaurants staying open after rescue deal agreed October 7, 2024 More than 2,000 jobs have been saved after a deal to acquire the UK operation of American cocktail bar and restaurant chain TGI Fridays out of administration was agreed. Breal Capital and Calveton, who own restaurant group D&D London, have snapped up a majority stake for an undisclosed sum through their acquisition vehicle Liberty Bar and Restaurant [...]
New tips law welcomed but it could cause a headache for hospitality bosses October 1, 2024 A new tipping law, which has made it illegal for companies to withhold tips from employees, has been welcomed by workers and industry bodies but could lead to a headache for employers. Until today, firms were able to choose whether to keep tips made on card, or whether to pass the earnings on to employees. [...]