Tim Martin on Vienna’s Beer Party: ‘We long for the day when Loonies are top of the polls’ October 12, 2023 As the possibility that Vienna’s next elected mayor is a representative of the Beer Party enters the realm of the semi-plausible, Wetherspoon founder Tim Martin has applauded the party and said he “long[s] for the day when Loonies are top of the polls”. Austria’s Beer Party is surging, now polling at 12 per cent ahead [...]
Wagamama latest to go private in £700m Apollo deal October 12, 2023 Wagamama owner The Restaurant Group is set to become the latest London-listed firm to go private after receiving a bumper bid from private equity giant Apollo.
Burger & Lobster looks to gobble up more sites as turnover grows 43 per cent October 10, 2023 Burger & Lobster has revealed a 43 per cent increase in turnover as it lays out expansion plans for outside the capital. The London-born business just released its financial figures for last year with turnover reaching £32.7m – up 43 per cent on the prior year’s earnings when the business was rattled by pandemic restrictions. [...]
The Square Mile and Me: Asif Aziz on turning London’s neglected spaces into eclectic landmarks October 5, 2023 Entrepreneur Asif Aziz – CEO of Criterion Capital and the operator of the London Trocadero and a host of London landmarks – has made the capital his playground What was your first job?When I was still in school, I was intrigued by the London property market. My first ‘real’ job was at Morgan Grenfell Laurie [...]
Burger King still operating in Russia despite vow to quit 18 months ago October 3, 2023 Burger King is still operating in Russia despite a promise from its owner that it would cease operations in the country more than a year ago. Restaurants Brand International (RBI) – which owns 15 per cent of the fast food chains franchise business in Russia- told the BBC it had “no new updates to share [...]
Why Aruba lives up to its nickname of ‘One Happy Island’ October 3, 2023 There are many places across the world where Brits aren’t truly welcome. Sure, our incessant politeness and love of queuing endears us to strangers, but we also like to drink, and we speak loudly and exclusively in our mother tongue. Amsterdam recently launched a “stay away” campaign specifically targeted at young British tourists in an [...]
Tortilla weathers strikes and inflation as expansion drives 22 per cent revenue spike October 3, 2023 Tortilla Mexican Grill revenues jumped 22 per cent year-on-year to £32.7m as the fast-casual group continued to expand its sites across the UK. The popular Mexican chain reported a slight dip in pre-tax earnings amid headwinds from inflation and rail strike action and swung to a £600,000 loss, down from £300,000 profit last year. However [...]
Calls made to reinstate minister for pubs as sector faces closure fears September 29, 2023 Fresh calls have been made for the reinstatement of minister for pubs role in the UK, amid a challenging period for the sector as it continues to face inflationary headwinds and rising closures. It comes as part of a new report by think tank Localise – commissioned by the British Beer and Hospitality Association (BPPA) [...]
Mitchells & Butlers: All Bar One owner toasts soaring sales as costs ease September 28, 2023 All Bar One owner Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) said total group like-for-like sales were up 10.4 per cent on last year, as the bar and restaurant chain sees costs easing. M&B, which also owns Toby Carvery and O’Neill’s, said that food sales on a like-for-like basis grew 8.6 per cent wile drinks sales were up [...]
Where to watch England in the Rugby World Cup in London September 21, 2023 England take on Chile this weekend in the Rugby World Cup before the big game of the weekend, Ireland versus South Africa. Here are some hot spots in London to take in the rugby atmosphere. Tsaretta Spice, Twickenham Everybody loves an Indian after some live sport and Tsaretta Spice in Twickenham offers up some corking [...]