UK

Data released by LDC and British Independent Retailers Association (bira) showed that independents opened the fewest number of shops in Britain’s top 500 town centres since LDC records began in 2009. Independent shops saw an increase of just +117 shops (+0.11%) in 2015 versus a peak of growth of 4.01% (+3,949 shops) in 2010.

The burger brand launched the Angriest Whopper, a sandwich with hot sauce baked into the red bun.

The coffee shop chain revealed that 55% of its staff are under 25 and will continue to benefit from the National Living Wage pay increase.

Dining data from Bookatable’s Quarterly Dining Trends report revealed that British cuisine is booming.

New research by Guest Experience Management experts, HospitalityGEM, has today revealed a gap in the market for ‘Active Dining’. The trend follows recent openings in New York where Spin & Gin and Dates with Weights have successfully blended exercise work outs with dining. The trend is now set to take off in the UK with 95% of diners stating they would eat out more often if restaurants had exercise facilities available on site. In a recent survey of mystery diners 64% revealed they would choose to eat and exercise simultaneously, whereas 44% stated they would prefer to use the exercise equipment between courses to burn off fat from the previous course. The most popular time of day for Active Dining is lunchtime (61%) and early afternoon (29%). Post-main course was identified as the prime time for exercising, with 72% stating this was when they felt most lethargic and would look to exercise. Hands-free exercise machines, such as treadmills, proved to be the most popular (74%) and the more labour intensive, such as rowing machines were least popular (13%). Popular foods whilst exercising were smaller lighter bites, with the trend for street food (47%) and premium tacos (39%) coming out on top. Some diners would be interested in taking this trend further, stating: “I tried it once in Florida, and found it was easier to be spoon-fed by the staff than to feed myself”. This would allow diners to use more equipment such as a cross-trainer whilst dining. When asked why diners would opt for this form of eating out, one diner commented: “I never visit the gym because I get too hungry, but this would solve the problem and make exercise more social”. Steven Pike, Managing Director of HospitalityGEM commented: “I have seen some amazing trends enter the UK eating out market in recent years which have come and gone, but this is one that I predict sticking around for a long time. The average person in the UK is constantly juggling work, keeping fit, as well as fitting in a social life, meaning it is often hard to keep up – so why not blend all three activities into one. I recently spent some time in New York and it is easy to see why this concept has taken off.”  

Hummus Bros launched its sixth London site on Eastcheap, a short walk from the Walkie Talkie building.

According to a story by the Telegraph, the gourmet burger brand reported pre-tax profits falling 1.6pc to £5.5m for the year to June 28, 2015 as it invested in new store openings.

Here's what the QSRs were up to on social media last week.

Esquires Coffee launched two new flavours to their ‘veggie smoothie’ range, the Beetroot Berry and Carrot Crush.

Pret A Manger opened the doors to its first shop in the UAE, in the exciting new Concourse D development at Dubai International.

New research from Aimia, the data-driven marketing and loyalty analytics company, revealed that millennials (18-24 year olds) are the most loyal customer group for restaurants and coffee shops.

The brand will open its first Italian restaurant and food shop in a UK hotel this April.

The sandwich chain on April Fool's promised to deliver their customers' favourite ingredients daily when they subscribe.

Pret increased the price of its coffee, after the introduction of the national living wage, which saw basic pay rise from £6.70 to £7.20.

The fast food chain announced that it intends to identify strategic partners who will add value and unlock growth potential in key markets throughout Asia to advance the company’s future growth plans. The company is seeking partners who would enhance its competitive advantages and resources to enable localized decisions on growth initiatives and increase capital resources to further invest in restaurant expansion and modernization.

The brand announced that it is launching brand new pizza-inspired loaves products available for purchase at supermarkets nationwide.