28/09/2021
EG Group acquires Amsric Group's 52-strong KFC UK portfolio
The EG Group has announced that it has acquired 52 KFC restaurants in the UK for an undisclosed sum, reports Business Live. As a result of the deal, the group now operates more than 1,700 foodservice concessions and over 220 KFC restaurants in Europe and the UK. This transaction follows EG Group's acquisition of the largest KFC franchise in the UK and Ireland from The Herbert Group in March 2020.
Government offers short-term visas to tackle supply chain disruptions
Up to 10,500 lorry drivers and poultry workers can receive temporary UK visas as the government seeks to limit disruption in the run-up to Christmas advises the BBC. The shortage of lorry drivers has caused problems for a range of industries in recent months from pubs to fast food chains. The Food and Drink Federation's chief executive Ian Wright said it was "a start" but that the government needed to "continue to collaborate with industry and seek additional long-term solutions".
Travelodge launches recruitment drive targeting parents
In a bid to fill 750 job roles in their hotels across the UK, Travelodge is offering flexible hours around the school run and the promise of jobs close to home, reports The Caterer. Travelodge said it wanted to "unlock the potential of Britain's mums and dads" as schools reopen and parents look to return to work. The news follows research by the Office for National Statistics which revealed hospitality businesses are more than twice as likely than other industries to experience challenges filling vacancies for this time of year.
Almost half of pub visits are wet-led
Two in five (42%) visits to pubs are for drink-only occasions, while almost a quarter (24%) of trips to the on-trade are for dinner, new research has revealed. The latest Lumina Intelligence UK Pub & Bar Market Report 2021, went on to state that lunch accounts for 22%, and breakfast 3% of all occasions, which it said provided an opportunity to boost breakfast and lunch sales through a 'work from home' lunch offer and Wi-Fi deals reports the Morning Advertiser.
KFC rival Popeyes to open first UK outlet
US fried chicken chain Popeyes has revealed its first ever site in the UK will open in Westfield, Stratford in November reports the Evening Standard. The KFC competitor, which runs 3,400 restaurants globally, is pushing ahead with plan to open 350 sites around Britain in the coming decade and said new sites will be announced "imminently". Popeyes, which was founded in New Orleans in 1972, said the initial restaurant will take up a 1,531 sq ft unit in Westfield Stratford City formerly occupied by KFC.
And Finally...
A Wetherspoons superfan is on a mission to visit every one of their pubs. Paul Bardill has been to 373 of the chain's 870 UK pubs after embarking on the mission in 2014, reports the Metro. Why does he love the chain? "No one is judging you for being on your own", said the Midlands Railway administrator from Derby.