The Restaurant Group shares fall as Wagamama reports slowing growth November 25, 2019 Wagamama owner The Restaurant Group suffered a share price drop this morning after the Asian fusion chain reported slowing sales growth in the second quarter. Like-for-like sales growth was 6.3 per cent in the UK, less than half the 12.9 per cent growth reported in the first quarter of the year. Read more: The Restaurant [...]
Cake Box shares soar on rising profits as retailer whips up a storm November 25, 2019 Cake Box, the specialist seller of cream cakes, has enjoyed a rise in profits of more than a quarter in the first six months of the year. Shares in the retailer jumped seven per cent this morning, as it reported rising revenue on the back of nine new store openings during the period. Read more: [...]
Food for thought: How Tastecard is helping the restaurant sector November 25, 2019 The restaurant sector is in a crisis. A combination of rising rents, food prices and wage costs, plus a decline in consumer spending, is causing more businesses to close. Research published in September exposed the scale of the problem. According to accountancy firm UHY Hacker Young, the number of restaurants closing in the year to [...]
Bounce owner raises $20m for US expansion November 24, 2019 Social Entertainment Ventures (SEV), the owner of Bounce, Flight Club and Puttshack, has raised $20m to drive the expansion of its leisure brands across the US. The company will accelerate the roll-out of Flight Club, a darts bar concept, across the US, with its second venue set to open in Boston next month. Read more: [...]
Property focus on Sloane Square: This 1980s hotspot is experiencing a revival November 22, 2019 It may be famed for being the social epicentre for the young and blue-blooded in the 1980s, having lent its name to the Sloane Ranger set which included Princess Diana and Sarah Ferguson. But the area around Sloane Square is now getting a modern makeover – and vying with other parts of Chelsea and Mayfair [...]
Tossed owner Zest Food seeks rent cuts in restructuring plan November 20, 2019 Zest Food, the owner of healthy eating brand Tossed, is the latest casual dining chain to seek a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) restructuring plan. The company is asking landlords to agree to a combination of zero rent and rent reduction arrangements as part of the rescue plan. Read more: UK’s top restaurants swing to £93m [...]
Upper Crust owner SSP announces £100m share buyback November 20, 2019 Upper Crust owner SSP Group this morning announced plans to buy back £100m of shares as it reported sales grew this year due to an increase in air and rail passengers. The figures SSP Group, which has around 2,800 outlets at global transport hubs, said like for like sales were up 1.9 per cent due [...]
All Bar One owner Mitchells & Butlers cheers rise in profit amid food and drink demand November 20, 2019 All Bar One owner Mitchells & Butlers has toasted a rise in full-year profit as rising appetite for its food and drinks offset fears of a slowdown in the casual dining sector. Shares in the firm jumped seven per cent in early morning trading. Read more: UK retail sales unexpectedly fall as economy slows The [...]
Fevertree cuts forecast as slowdown takes fizz out of UK sales November 20, 2019 Drinks supplier Fevertree has cut its full-year revenue forecast amid “challenging comparators” and a slowdown in UK consumer spending in the second half. The mixer specialist cut its revenue expectations to between £266m and £268m for the full-year, representing year-on-year growth of 12 to 13 per cent. Read more: Fevertree shares go flat as poor [...]
Gourmet Burger Kitchen widens losses after £16m restructuring hit November 18, 2019 Casual dining chain Gourmet Burger Kitchen (GBK) suffered widening losses last year after taking a £15.7m hit on its restaurant closure programme. The burger restaurant completed a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) during the period, which saw it shutter 24 sites, contributing to a pre-tax loss of £24.3m in the year ended 24 February, compared to [...]