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 [...]
“You’ve got the power to choose.” Sustainable steak with M Restaurants September 21, 2023 The food industry gets a lot of environmental flak. Agriculture is responsible for a quarter of the world’s greenhouse emissions, according to the United Nations. Meat seems to be a particular problem, with 77 per cent of agricultural land given over to livestock despite them accounting for only 17 per cent of all the calories [...]
Inside story: How Cavendish became the City’s newest bank September 21, 2023 In late January, two bankers sat across from each other at the 57-year-old Chelsea haunt La Famiglia for a tete-a-tete over wine and dinner. The traditional Tuscan eatery is something of a hotspot for celebs and off-duty City types – a pre-sanctions Roman Abrahamovic even used to entertain Jose Mourinho there over a bowl of [...]
Christmas cheer not enough to save pubs from winter pain, sector warns September 21, 2023 A festive boost in trading this Christmas will not be enough to save the UK pubs industry, sector heads have warned.
Independent bookshops are thriving – as long as they offer more than just books September 18, 2023 Morocco Bound is a lesson in adaptability. Even its owner “[doesn’t] know what to call it these days”. Music venue, community space, workshop facility hosting poetry slams, comedy nights, life drawing sessions and more, it was – originally – a book shop. “I’m an architect,” Jonathan Dransfield, the owner, tells me. An architect who wrote [...]