News

A recent study suggests that the Western-dominated franchise scene will change.

Nando’s customers can now book their orders a day in advance.

The hospitality company originally planned to spin-off the coffee business.

Their London flagship store will be located in Covent Garden.

The new site resulted from a partnership between SSP and Welcome Break.

The celebrations will run from June 30 to July 6.

The Japanese restaurant owned by MasterChef winner Tim Anderson also released ready-packed picnics.

Purchasing company Lynx says the labour issue is not only due to concerns about Brexit.

The global brand's modernisation programme will take place for the next eight to nine quarters.

The contemporary café features reinventions of usual staples.

This is the vegan pizzeria's second site. Brighton-based Purezza has officially opened its first London restaurant in Camden, where they will feature an entirely vegan menu. The new plant-based pizzeria seats 100 diners and will operate on two floors.  

The delivery company expects the move to save restaurants millions of pounds. Aiming to assist restaurants in streamlining their order processes, Deliveroo has announced that it is rolling out its Point of Sale (POS) integration system. The company enabled the integration by creating a new API (application programming interface), available through a newly-launched Deliveroo developer portal, which allows POS companies and restaurants to integrate with Deliveroo’s order system. The Developer self-serve portal allows POS companies and restaurants to access, test and manage their integration with Deliveroo’s API themselves, so POS companies and tech-savvy restaurants can integrate with Deliveroo directly in  2 weeks. Deliveroo expects the measure will save restaurants millions of pounds. Currently, 500 restaurant sites are already using integration and the food delivery company anticipates this to increase to thousands by the end of the year. “Our partners have told us that integrating with their sales systems is a key way for Deliveroo to help make delivery easier for them and that’s why we’ve invested in making this happen. By doing this through an API we’ve made integration as straightforward as possible regardless of what kind of system a restaurant is using for point of sale. Cutting out needless time inputting orders into sales systems allows front of staff to focus on delivering an amazing dine in experience while boosting revenues and orders through delivery,” Deliveroo chief technology officer Mike Hudack said.

Their plastic use reduction initiative is done in partnership with Chilly’s. After trialing in select sites, Pret A Manger’s reusable bottle initiative with bottle company Chilly’s is now rolling out to their 370 shops nationwide.

The restaurant group currently has 13 sites with three new openings scheduled this year. Private equity firm TriSpan, through its Rising Stars restaurant platform, has announced that it has acquired a majority investment in Rosa’s Thai Café. Rosa’s managing director Gavin Adair will lead the UK-based restaurant group in its next phase of growth. Former YO! CEO and TriSpan European operating partner Robin Rowland will support as Non-Executive Chairman. Rosa’s founders Alex and Saiphin Moore will remain involved in the business, focusing on the group’s culture and innovation and driving food quality. Meanwhile, a “significant number” of employees within the group will have their stock options partially realised and will reinvest with TriSpan.

Data explains that supply is affected in key territories. Fish prices were 12.1% higher in April 2018 than the previous 12 months, according to a joint study by CGA and Prestige. The groups’ Foodservice Price Index reveals that inflation has been driven by “poorer than expected” catches of cod and haddock in the last few months, which drove demand from southern Europe. Salmon prices, meanwhile, rose due the strengthening of the Norwegian krone. Inflation in the oils and fats category is reportedly steeper, with prices 27.9% higher than in April 2017. The study says that supply has been damaged by severe dry weather in key production territories including the US Midwest and South America, with yields of both soybean and oilseed rape down. The relatively high price of crude oil at the moment is also a cited issue. “Overall we have seen inflation ease from the highs of 2017, with reassuring signs of stability in currency exchange rates and Brexit negotiations—but the steep year on year rises in these categories is a reminder of the need to stay vigilant. Understanding the nuances of foodservice price inflation is going to be essential for any business seeking to grow in this competitive market,” CGA Client Director – Food Fiona Speakman said. “We are continuing to see headline grabbing numbers from oils & fats, and numerous other categories are showing definite upwards trends. Many crops are feeling the effects of the poor winter and higher oil prices are starting to hit farmers. Businesses would be well advised to secure pricing now before further increases are seen, especially in dairy which looks likely to rise in the near future,” Prestige Purchasing chief executive Shaun Allen added.

Here is a summary of the most interesting QSR news stories of the week from around the world.