UK

Pizza Hut, a division of Yum! Brands, Inc. continued its expansion in Europe by signing a development agreement with AmRest Holdings SE for Central and Eastern Europe.

The pizza brand created and launched the world’s first playable pizza box DJ decks, which allow users to mix and drop their own beats.

The juice and smoothie brand named Laura Armstrong as its new head of design.

The premier event for takeaway and restaurant owners will launch on September 27th & 28th, at ExCeL London.

A short time after Pokémon Go's release, the mobile game has already become one of the top apps globally, and with its popularity, took in US$200 million in revenue in the first month of its release. Euromonitor International explores how bricks and mortar shops can take advantage of its user base through licensing.

Hampstead Market opens its gates on Saturday 10th September and will take place every week from 10am until 3pm behind the Everyman Cinema on the grounds of Hampstead Parochial School.

Following the NHS announcement earlier this year to impose a 20% ‘sugar tax’ in hospital cafes by 2020, Muffin Break showed its support for the CQUIN initiative by introducing healthier food options and promotions at its stores based in the University Hospital Lewisham and Whittington Hospital.

The bakery chain announced the the opening of its 59th store at The Mall Blackburn shopping centre.

According to a story by the Mirror, staff at the chicken chain tweeted a photo of a new gravy fountain at its UK headquarters, hinting that they might consider trialling the creation in stores across the UK.

According to a story by the Daily Meal, Hungry Jack’s, Australia’s Burger King franchise, introduced a limited-edition packaging for its fries, which confuses and wards off hungry sea gulls.

The company announced that it will now be delivering prepackaged salads nationwide in the US.

According to a story by the Australian Financial Review, Sydney-based private equity firm Allegro Funds is in “advanced talks” to purchase the Eagle Boys brand from the company’s voluntary administrators SV Partners, and to buy the Pizza Hut Australian business from parent company YUM! Brands.

GBK Temple Bar, the first restaurant completed in Gourmet Burger Kitchen’s €3.5 million refurbishment plan, will reopen in Dublin this Monday, 15th August.

Hermes Investment Management announced that casual dining brand, ASK Italian, will be launching a new restaurant at centre:mk in the autumn. Located on Eagle Walk and adjacent to Middleton Hall, ASK Italian will feature a 160 cover restaurant comprising 4,187 sq ft of dining space over two floors. The new restaurant adds to the 30 food and beverage providers at centre:mk, equating to over 1,400 covers. Ed Sellick, on behalf of centre:mk’s joint owners, Hermes Investment Management and AustralianSuper, said: “ASK Italian’s decision to select centre:mk as part of its expansion plan reflects the strength of the centre’s reputation as one of the leading retail and leisure destinations in the UK. The popular concept appeals to all ages and is perfect for daytime and evening trade. Our visitors will enjoy this new dining offer and Middleton Hall is a perfect showcase – providing the sense of entertainment whilst dining.” “ASK Italian will complement and enhance our already strong food offer, cementing our position as the destination of choice for premier leisure and retail experiences in the South East.” Harry Heeley, Managing Director at ASK Italian, added: “With its large and affluent catchment, centre:mk is a prime location within the city centre and will benefit from the high footfall and provide a great all-day offer. We cannot wait to launch at centre:mk alongside the premium and international retail brand mix here.” ASK Italian is the latest opening to be announced at centre:mk and joins the premium line up of retail and food specialists, including the recently launched international tea specialist brand T2. CBRE and MMX Retail acted for centre:mk. Lunson Mitchenall represented ASK Italian.  

On behalf of Carluccio’s, Savills, jointly with Kelion Sworn, acquired new retail premises in The Mint Building, South St Andrew Square in Edinburgh from Chris Stewart Group. Due to open in February 2018, this marks the first site in Scotland’s capital city for the Italian restaurant chain.

The pizza company introduced a new innovation to make ordering easier - a bot called ‘Dom’ on Facebook Messenger.