In Focus
Boparan Restaurant Group trials service robots, eyes wider rollout if ‘successful’
Using artificial intelligence (AI), the robots can deliver hot chicken up to four miles per hour and can engage with guests through spoken conversation.
Boparan Restaurant Group trials service robots, eyes wider rollout if ‘successful’
Using artificial intelligence (AI), the robots can deliver hot chicken up to four miles per hour and can engage with guests through spoken conversation.
City centres “building back” from COVID as hospitality sales rise
However, ongoing challenges in London remain.
Food and drink inflation surging, with more rises to come: analysts
Potential stability, however, is seen later this year.
Five trends that will shape food-to-go recovery
2022 will be a year for reflection, innovation, concept development and new ways of doing business, an analyst said.
Shopper confidence at ‘lowest levels’ despite removal of COVID-19 restrictions
89% or nearly nine out of ten shoppers expect food prices to rise.
Potato milk could displace oat as more sustainable milk alternative: analyst
Potatoes remain a niche ingredient in the plant-based milk space.
Fourth-quarter openings deliver positive signs for hospitality as Plan B restrictions set to end
Licensed premises recorded a 1.6% net increase in the last three months.
Five potential shopping trends in 2022
IGD also analysed how Omicron shook up Christmas shopping.
Papa John’s inks deal to open over 1,300 stores in China by 2040
The franchisee development agreement is the biggest in the pizza chain’s history.
No such thing as too much coffee? Gen Z most likely to disagree, study says
Further analysis from YouGov also shows that Brits do most of their drinking at home or work.
2021: Year in Review
We look back at the highs and lows of the British multi-site restaurant industry these past twelve months.
Staffing crisis “damaging” customer experience in QSR
59% of team members also admitted that customer experience is suffering in their venue due to lack of staff.
Amidst labour shortages, QSR customers are expecting more from staff
48% say that staff must know where the food is sourced from whilst 58% expect staff to have the “knowledge and foresight” to recommend menu items.
Delivery, takeaway sales slow in October as dine-in confidence builds
At-home sales, however, are still 98% higher than 2019 levels.
Pizza Hut Delivery expands to petrol stations with EG Group franchise deal
The partnership will see EG Group franchise eight new trial stores, creating about 90 jobs.
Shopper confidence falls anew in October
Consumers are increasingly focusing on saving money, IGD says.
Nearly one in five Brits to eat veggie, vegan this Christmas: Deliveroo survey
The food delivery firm reported 105% growth in vegan orders year-on-year.
