Wagamama halts expansion November 8, 2009 Wagamama, the canteen-style noodle bar chain, has said that it has temporarily halted its expansion plans, but is set to resume openings in the spring after a robust financial performance. The Japanese restaurant chain, which has 65 restaurants, said operating profits jumped 75 per cent to £7.1m for the year to April 2009 on sales [...]
Kettle Foods sale likely October 4, 2009 Kettle Foods could be put up for sale this autumn for $700m (£440m). Owner Lion Capital, which also owns Weetabix and the Wagamama chain, bought the firm in 2006 for $270m but since then the brand, which makes the upmarket Kettle Chips, has become more popular. Lion is preparing to consult NM Rothschild bankers.
Profits turn flaky for Weetabix but sales float higher on Bitesize launch November 11, 2009 CEREAL maker Weetabix saw its post-tax profits slide last year as it took a hit from restructuring costs and redundancy payments. The company, which also owns the Alpen muesli and Ready Brek porridge brands, reported total profits of £75.7m for 2008, down £2.3m year-on-year. The cost of overhauling its operations in Kettering and Corby dragged [...]
Carluccio’s bidder outed May 17, 2009 THE mystery bidder for the Italian restaurant and retail chain Carluccio’s is believed to be investment firm Hutton Collins. At the beginning of May, the group founded by chef Antonio Carluccio confirmed that it had received a preliminary approach but did not provide any details on the possible bidder. The group’s shares have recently jumped 25 [...]
Carluccio’s bidder outed May 17, 2009 THE mystery bidder for the Italian restaurant and retail chain Carluccio’s is believed to be investment firm Hutton Collins. At the beginning of May, the group founded by chef Antonio Carluccio confirmed that it had received a preliminary approach but did not provide any details on the possible bidder. The group’s shares have recently jumped 25 [...]