Upper Crust owner SSP warns on profit as Iran war hits tourism Hospitality SSP, the owner of travel food outlets like Upper Crust, has warned it will take a hit to its profit after the Iran war caused a “significant contraction” in global tourism. The catering group, which also owns Millie’s Cookies and Caffè Ritazza, said the sharp drop in travel caused by the Middle East conflict has [...]
Matcha mayhem: Blank Street eyes $100m expansion Retail Blank Street coffee is reportedly in early talks to raise at least $100m in new funding as it eyes further expansion. The cafe chain, which has more than 50 shops in the UK, is known for its matcha drinks and has grown rapidly since it was founded in 2020. The business operates dozens of locations [...]
Grounds for expansion: Airwallex’s Europe chief bets on London in licence pursuit Fintech As payments giant Airwallex laid out plans to double down on Europe, they turned to a man with experience at a multi-billion dollar deposit holder. The $8bn cross-border specialist was looking for someone to steer the ship amid expansion plans across Europe but in that endeavour didn’t poach a veteran of Wall Street or the [...]
LA 2028 Olympics sponsors ‘not asking about’ Wasserman position, says CEO February 24, 2026 The CEO of the LA 2028 Olympics insists sponsors have not raised any concerns about Casey Wasserman remaining as chair despite his appearance in the Epstein files. Wasserman has already initiated proceedings to sell his eponymous global agency after historic emails between himself and Jeffrey Epstein associate and convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell were among [...]
Back to Starbucks: How Starbucks coffee shops are revitalising community-first third places July 23, 2025 In bustling cities and quiet neighbourhoods alike, Starbucks familiar green siren often signals more than just a caffeine stop. It represents that essential ‘third place’ – a reliable comfort zone bridging the gap between home and work, a space for quiet focus, friendly catchups, or simply a moment’s pause. But in a world where connection [...]
Starbucks: UK’s largest franchise more than doubles profit ahead of takeover April 28, 2025 Sales jumped towards £100m and profit more than doubled at the UK’s largest Starbucks franchise in the year before the US coffee chain took it over, it has been revealed. 23.5 Degrees has reported a turnover of £93m for the 12 months to 31 August, 2024, up from the £83.5m it achieved in the prior [...]
Buy something, or get out: How coffee shops are clamping down on WFH loiterers January 14, 2025 As RTO mandates rise, there’s another factor which may start driving digital nomads back to the office: coffee shops are throwing them out.
The Capitalist: Paddington Bear’s politics, buildings with phallic names and RIP the pumpkin spice latte October 24, 2024 Corporate echo chambers, controversial buildings with phallic names, Paddington Bear’s true political persuasions and the end of the pumpkin spice latte? Catch up on the latest City gossip in this week’s edition of The Capitalist WORKING SMARTER NOT HARDER We’ve all been there; you’ve got work to do but two hours of your diary are booked [...]
WPP: New deals with Amazon and Unilever drive growth October 23, 2024 Like-for-like revenue at advertising giant WPP ticked up 4.1 per cent in the quarter to 30 September, despite a decline in business outside of the US and Europe. However, net new billings declined year-to-date. The figure came in at $3.2bn (£2.5bn) compared to $3.4bn (£2.6bn) in 2023. However, other regions struggled. Revenue in the UK [...]
Just leave me to my basic b***h pumpkin spice latte, ok? September 30, 2024 We are well into Starbucks pumpkin spice latte season and I for one will be openly celebrating this seasonal joy, says Lauren Potts Nothing seems to irk certain corners of the internet more than the humble pumpkin spice latte (PSL). The sneering usually comes from a certain type of person – mostly coffee snobs and boomers [...]