No-shows remain an ongoing challenge for the hospitality industry, costing UK hospitality a collective £17.6bn a year in lost sales.

Year-on-year food inflation in the foodservice sector continued its downward trend in September, falling to 2.4%, according to the latest Foodservice Price Index (FPI) from Prestige Purchasing and CGA by NIQ.

In the US, 96% of restaurant and foodservice leaders are eyeing unit expansion. That's a huge number. Further, brands with 250+ locations plan to open an average of 38 locations in the next 1.5 years.

Be Inclusive Hospitality (BIH) announced the winners of its third BIH Spotlight Awards at a glitzy ceremony at M Threadneedle Street, London, on 21 October.

 

Dismal weather in September made real-terms growth challenging for Britain's leading hospitality groups, according to the latest CGA Hospitality Business Tracker. But managed pub, restaurant and bar operators still achieved like-for-like sales 1.7% up on the same month last year.

From sustainability to immersive experiences, the future of dining is a blend of innovation, convenience, and premium quality.

The nominations for the Sustainability Champion, EDI Champion, Consumer Choice and Power Brand categories at this year’s Peach 20/20 Hero Awards have been revealed.

Moderation has been a key growth trend in the on-trade for several years now and shows no signs of slowing down, with 44% of GB adults saying that they’re actively moderating their alcohol consumption¹.

The 2024 Peach 20/20 Leaders Summit brings together expert and inspirational speakers to explore the need for growth and innovation in an increasingly competitive and polarised market.

Year-on-year inflation in foodservice eased to 2.8% in August 2024 the latest Foodservice Price Index (FPI) report from Prestige Purchasing and CGA by NIQ shows. It is the 14th straight month of decline, as prices continue to stabilise after a prolonged period of aggressive inflation. 

Britain's leading pub, bar and restaurant groups achieved like-for-like sales growth of in August.

A new report by Peach 20/20 partner Mapal explores how gamified learning can revolutionise training in the hospitality industry.

The front-runners for this year’s Peach 20/20 Hero & Icon Awards have been announced. The annual awards, now in their 20th year, celebrate the very best brands, businesses and leaders in the eating and drinking-out market.

With sustainability an increasing concern for many consumers, an exclusive new report from CGA by NIQ reveals how wine suppliers and venues can prove their commitment and win the eco-conscious spend.

Customer loyalty is fragile, and hospitality is no exception, with new figures from Zonal’s latest GO Technology report in partnership with CGA by NIQ, revealing that 31% of restaurant, pub and bar goers are very or somewhat likely to switch to a competitor.

Britain’s hospitality leaders are still cautious about the future, the latest Business Confidence Survey from CGA by NIQ reveals.

It’s a couple of decades since UK casual dining brands ventured Stateside with bold, creative concepts. But the going was tough and returns disappointing. 

First it was sales, then consumers, now it’s front-line teams. I’m talking about key industry metrics - the numbers that the best hospitality companies know they need to understand and compete on.

According to Feed it Back’s latest ‘Economic Outlook’ report, 58% of consumers reported that they are going out at about the same frequency as they were six months ago.

Loyalty is currently a hot topic in the hospitality industry, with Wagamama becoming the latest restaurant brand to launch its own loyalty programme, the Soul Club - just as Pret A Manger UK announces it is scrapping its five drinks a day subscription service from September. But how can the sector create and maintain customer loyalty? Is it the same as for other retail brands? Does it genuinely add value to the bottom line – or does it really just boil down to discounting?

Nominations are now open for the third Be Inclusive Hospitality (BIH) Spotlight Awards. Taking place on 21 October 2024 at M Threadneedle Street, London, the awards will continue to amplify and celebrate the exceptional achievements of individuals and businesses from Black, Asian, and ethnic minority backgrounds working within the hospitality, food, and drink sectors.

It’s undeniably true that the upheavals of recent years have taken a much greater toll on independent pub, bar and restaurant businesses than on multiple operators. 

In a cash-strapped market, brand loyalty can be precarious and operators can’t afford to rest on past successes. Recent research from Zonal, CGA by NIQ and UKHospitality highlights that the key to building a loyal customer base is the delivery of the fundamentals of hospitality – not just once, but every time.

 

A Labour victory in the coming General Election will mark a major shift in British politics - and in a way that many people have perhaps yet to anticipate.

Year-on-year food inflation for the hospitality sector fell to 4.6% in May, its lowest level for 28 months, according to the latest CGA Prestige Foodservice Price Index (FPI), suggesting a significant shift towards price stability across the foodservice sector.

Recent years have been tough going for casual dining groups, but there are signs that ambition is returning to the market.

Despite disappointing weather in many parts of Britain the latest CGA Hospitality Business Tracker reveals Britain’s leading hospitality groups achieved year-on-year sales growth of 3.6% in May 2024.

New insight from Zonal and CGA by NIQ, reveals the main reasons guests do not turn up for a reservation.

Jonathan Davies, MD at Levy, is on a mission - and he’s not alone.
 

Ecosystems are delicate mechanisms. Tamper with them at your peril.

The premium burger market will have a new player when Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer opens in London’s West End this autumn.

Britain’s hospitality leaders remain cautious amid tentative signs of improved consumer spending and relief on some costs, CGA by NIQ’s latest Business Confidence Survey reveals.

What are consumers' top frustrations in hospitality, and how can hospitality operators address them? Find out in this exclusive consumer research report from Zonal, in partnership with CGA by NIQ.

The punchy quote was attributed to one Jane O’Riordan – former strategy director for Nando’s, now chair of multiple hospitality brands, a Peach Icon (2022) and now leading the Innovation Working Group for the government’s Hospitality Sector Council.

The latest Foodservice Price Index report from Prestige Purchasing and CGA brings encouraging news for the foodservice industry, with inflation rates returning towards more normal levels.

It’s not exactly news that drink/‘wet’ sales are highly profitable (hospitality finance 101 anyone?), but our recent trip to Nashville was a stark reminder of the central role of beverage sales for restaurant, bar and hotel brands in US hospitality. 

Heartwood Collection is in growth mode - looking to buy freehold pubs and then invest, often heavily, in them. So, it was good to meet up with old friend, Peach 20/20 Icon and company chairman Mark Derry to see how the plan is progressing.

Rising wage costs are creating major headaches for hospitality boards on both sides of the Atlantic. 

Nashville may be Music City, but there’s much more to the town than live bands and Dolly Parton. It’s a thriving hub for innovative food and drink businesses, as the Atlantic Club tour discovered when it touched down in the Tennessee capital at the start of May.

There aren’t many card-carrying members of the Labour Party in the upper echelons of the hospitality sector. But the more senior leaders I speak to, the more I sense that there may actually be a small sigh of relief the day Sir Keir Starmer walks through the door of 10 Downing Street.

British consumers are cautiously increasing their visits and spending in pubs, bars and restaurants, CGA by NIQ's latest Cost of Living Pulse reveals.

Early evening on a Wednesday out in London with Young’s CEO Simon Dodd emphatically proves one thing - there’s plenty of life left in the local. 

Inflation as measured by the CGA Prestige Foodservice Price Index (FPI) fell below 10% in March for the first time in two years. This welcome milestone for the sector follows the largest month-on-month decline ever recorded by the Index of 1.4%.

Save the date! This year’s Peach 20/20 Leaders Summit  and Hero & Icon Awards will take place on Monday 18 November.

Co founder of LEON Restaurants and the Sustainable Restaurant Association Henry Dimbleby shares his robust views on the role hospitality can play in fixing the ‘broken’ global food system. Watch the video...

In March 2023, the level of food inflation in hospitality and retail briefly converged at 19%. However, while inflation in retail as measured by the Consumer Price Index has eased since then to 5%, wholesale price inflation for hospitality operators as measured by the Foodservice Price Index has only fallen to 12%. This means inflation in hospitality is currently 2.4 times higher than in retail.

Business leaders have a plethora of challenges in moving to a more sustainable future, from reputational and brand challenges, to creating opportunities for customer and employee loyalty, from reducing carbon, costs and waste to attracting investors.

In the not-so-distant past, the world of nightlife pulsated with energy, fuelled by the vibrant beats of high tempo drinks. However, a transformative shift is now unfolding. CGA by NIQ’s director of research and insight, Charlie Mitchell, explores the challenges and opportunities that this shift presents for operators and suppliers.

Britain’s top restaurant and pub groups achieved like-for-like sales growth of 2% in February, the latest CGA Hospitality Business Tracker reveals.

Hospitality leaders can get up close to one of the most dynamic food, drink and entertainment scenes in the US on an exclusive Atlantic Club tour to Nashville in Tennessee in May.

New consumer research by Zonal and CGA by Niq looks at guest loyalty towards hospitality brands, and how this has been affected by the rising cost of living.

As food campaigner and co-founder of Leon restaurants Henry Dimbleby succinctly said: “It will be unsustainable not to be sustainable by 2030.”

The CGA Prestige Foodservice Price Index recorded year-on-year inflation of 12.6% in January—a drop of 1.2 percentage points from December's rate of 13.8%. It is the seventh successive month-on-month fall in inflation as markets adjust to falling commodity pricing.

If you think restaurants and pubs are having a tough time, try being a farmer. The plight of British agriculture was laid bare at the National Farmers’ Union conference in Birmingham last month.

Nutritics has become the first food technology provider to integrate with Zero Carbon Forum’s Carbon Accounting Platform, as both organisations look to accelerate their shared vision to address the climate crisis.

Foodservice tech provider, Nutritics, has completed the acquisition of Good Food Talks, an innovative menu solution for visually impaired diners, which counts Nando’s, PizzaExpress and JD Wetherspoon among its customers.

Confidence among the leaders of Britain’s top hospitality businesses has been dampened down by severe cost pressures, the latest edition of the Business Confidence Survey reveals.

With just over 4 weeks to go to Arena’s Audience with Tom Aikens event now is the time to book your tickets if you haven’t already done so.  

The new initiative will see hospitality businesses join together to fundraise for the charity Prevent Breast Cancer.

Nashville may be the music capital of the US, but it’s also a booming business centre with one of the hottest eating and drinking out scenes in the country. And that’s exactly why Atlantic Club is heading there this May 1-3. 

So what do we have in store for the 30 senior execs and entrepreneurs from the UK and US who’ll be making the trip - and why you should be one of them?

 

The number of licensed premises in Britain fell by a net 803 sites in the fourth quarter of 2023, the latest Hospitality Market Monitor from CGA by NIQ and AlixPartners reveals. It also highlights the widening gap between the fortunes of managed groups and independent operators.

What we eat has a major impact on our health and also the health of the planet. They are two vital issues, and hospitality has an important role in helping to address both of them.

The CGA Prestige Foodservice Price Index recorded an inflation rate of 13.8% in December, marking a sixth consecutive month of decline. However, the pace of deceleration is slower than anticipated, despite moderation in price rises and the market stabilising.
 

 

Britain’s top hospitality groups generated year-on-year sales growth of 8.8% in December, the latest CGA Hospitality Business Tracker reveals.

Nutritics’ research and cutting-edge technology empowers operators to reduce their environmental impact - making them the ideal partner for the Planet Peach Sustainability Summit. 

The agenda for the Planet Peach Sustainability Summit on March 5 is ready - and focused on inspiring hospitality leaders, investors and suppliers to work together to break down barriers to a more environmentally friendly future, accelerate action and take positive steps to lasting change.  

As we move into 2024, businesses are looking for any advantages available to counteract the remaining challenges from last year and that may arise in this one. The cost of doing business will remain the key consideration for all senior teams; but whilst being over the detail is important an outside perspective is often as valuable.  

New research from CGA by NIQ and Fourth shows three in five hospitality leaders plan to invest in new technology solutions in 2024, with employees their main area of focus.   

 

With an estimated 250,000 meals to be served each day, COP28 will offer the first 1.5°C-aligned menu at a COP conference, as part of its objective of making the conference carbon-neutral. Nutritics is deploying its technology and teams of scientific experts to work with the COP28 Catering Team and support 80+ F&B vendors at the event, as well as presenting insights on food sustainability to global leaders at the international gathering on climate change.  

No-one’s pretending things have been easy in hospitality in 2023. But as Peter Martin told the Peach 20/20 Leaders Summit, for the best businesses the future’s bright. Here are the top takeaways from his round-up of the market as we move towards 2024.

The commercial, brand, customer and labour implications of climate change are increasingly evident - and progressive business leaders across hospitality are taking action. 

Investor confidence has taken a hit lately, but there’s still plenty of growth potential for hospitality’s best businesses - whether growth is measured by more sites, increased EBITDA or valuation. Here’s what five leaders and investors told the Peach 20/20 Leaders summit about the state of play in the markets.

With a General Election looming, 2024 will be a big year for hospitality in the political arena. So what’s the outlook and where are the priorities and challenges for our sector? Here’s what UKHospitality CEO Kate Nicholls had to say about the hot topics when she spoke to Peter Martin at Peach 20/20’s Leaders Summit.

Serial US entrepreneur Jack Gibbons was one of the star guests at Peach 20/20’s Leaders Summit. These are seven of the insights that he shared with host Peter Martin.

A new CGA by NIQ report shows many on premise visitors are happy to spend more money on hot beverages in 2024—but only if the quality and value are right.

The optimism of Britain’s hospitality leaders has risen for the fourth quarter in a row, but they remain concerned about inflation in key inputs, and the challenge of business rates.

How’s the economy shaping up for 2024? The Peach 20/20 Leaders Summit cut through the noise to get expert insights into the outlook for businesses and consumers from Ross Walker, chief UK economist and co-head of global economics at NatWest Markets. Here are seven takeaways.

How is hospitality shaping up as we move towards 2024? The Peach 20/20 Leaders Summit on 14 November revealed a dynamic sector with plenty of challenges but an exciting future. Here are just ten insights from the expert speakers.

Peach 20/20 has recognised the achievements of two inspirational leaders at the 2023 Hero & Icon Awards.

Prestigious awards recognise 14 outstanding businesses and individuals in Britain’s restaurants, pubs and bars

Britain’s managed restaurant, pub and bar groups marked 12 consecutive months of year-on-year sales growth in September, the new Hospitality Business Tracker reveals.

 

The BIH Spotlight Awards were established to celebrate exceptional businesses and individuals from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds in the hospitality industry.

Hospitality employees are feeling a post-pandemic bliss, but they’re still on the hunt for new roles - even outside the industry. On October 18th at 1 PM BST, join Peach 20/20 partner Harri’s webinar to get an exclusive look at new research about employee satisfaction and hear from hospitality leaders on what to do next.

Not that long ago ambitious Brits taking brands across the pond focussed on the great ‘European' American cities. Boston, New York, Washington DC were all hot favourites and for understandable reasons.
 

The case for super-charging hospitality’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity was made loud and clear at this year’s Balance the Board Conference. Speaker after speaker emphasised that this is no time to pull back on initiatives, while providing practical advice on what businesses can do to meet day-to-day challenges.

Consumer spending in hospitality is holding up well despite the cost of living crisis, according to CGA by NIQ’s new BrandTrack Plus research.

Peach 20/20 has today revealed the shortlist for this year’s Diversity Champion award, run in conjunction with Balance the Board. 

This year’s agenda-setting summit will explore real opportunities for innovation, transformation and growth across the UK eating and drinking-out market - the forces shaping the sector’s future and the hurdles that will need to be overcome.

Jack Gibbons is a restaurant and bar trailblazer. As CEO of Dallas-based FB Society, he has led the successful incubation of original concepts across the US - guiding his company through rapid growth, pushing the boundaries with just about every type of operation, from fine dining to food halls, taco stalls to stylish wine bars, community bars to slider stores. Jack Gibbons has done them all.

Why do tourists visit Liverpool? Is it the football, or the music, or the architecture? For many out-of-towners the reason is to eat and drink - and that’s the experience they expect to spend more on in coming months.

Technology is helping hospitality to improve staffing related challenges, such as retention and churn, but more investment is needed to maximise efficiencies.

Peter Martin has joined the Zero Carbon Forum Advisory Board to support its mission of decarbonising the hospitality and brewing sector at pace. 

Britain’s managed pub, bar and restaurant groups overcame poor summer weather to record collective like-for-like sales up 5.3% in August against the same month last year, the latest Coffer CGA Business Tracker shows.

Peach 20/20 is delighted to announce the shortlists for this year’s Hero & Icon Awards, the prestigious annual celebration of the very best brands, businesses and leaders in the eating and drinking-out market.

The ‘Balance The Board: Accelerating Change Conference’ returns for a second year on 5 October 2023 in London. 

 

As CEO of Welcome Break, Rod McKie led the way in transforming Britain’s lacklustre motorway services, bringing in big-name premium brands like Starbucks and Waitrose for the travelling public to experience - not to mention cutting a deal with Tesla for electric charging points.

No-one could ever accuse Incipio CEO and co-founder Ed Devenport of taking a cookie-approach to growing a business. His company is much more eclectic, operating everything from all-weather pub gardens, to rooftop bars, to ‘unpretentious’ clubs with late-night dancing to polished casual restaurants.  

Launching a bar business is not for the faint hearted at the best of times – let alone in the teeth of global pandemic. Funding that business through an IPO when the markets are less than enthusiastic about our sector looks even more daunting.
 

Jack Gibbons is one of the most creative, charismatic and successful bar and restaurant entrepreneurs in the United States - and the good news is he’ll be in the UK this November as headline speaker at this year’s Peach 20/20 conference.

The latest Food Insights Report from CGA by NIQ reveals a growing demand from consumers for information about food consumed out of home.