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James McAllister

246 posts
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  • 1 min

It’s Bagels expands to Soho

🍔 It’s Bagels, co-created by Dan Martensen and Jack Ponting, has opened its third location, this time in London's West End. After starting at the Caravan Roastery in Camden, the brand expanded to Primrose Hill in September last year and added a second site in Notting Hill during the summer. The new Soho cafe features 15 seats and a menu of fresh bagels and cream cheese 'schmears,' along with smoked fish and deli salads. GRT Architects designed the Soho location to blend New York City style with London's local aesthetic.
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Wendy’s sees UK turnover rise by nearly 50%

🍔 Wendy's UK turnover increased from £21.2m in 2022 to £31.9m in 2023. Pre-tax profits dropped slightly from £1.4m to £1.2m. The company expanded from six to 12 company-owned restaurants in 2022, ending 2023 with an additional 24 franchises. Restaurant sales contributed £19.6m and management fees £11.4m to 2023 turnover. Plans include growing to 45-50 UK restaurants by end of 2024, targeting 400 long-term. CFO Gunther Plosch cited the UK as a strategic market and a gateway to Europe.
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  • 3 min

Friday five: the week’s top restaurant stories

💰 The Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act 2023, enacted after receiving Royal Assent in May 2022, mandates businesses to distribute 100% of tips to staff. Chef Calum Franklin will oversee Harrods’ The Georgian's evening menu, highlighting British cuisine and his signature pies, after his departure from Holborn Dining Room in summer 2022. Despite a turnover increase from £15.7m to £16.4m in 2023, Richard Corrigan Restaurants reports a £1.1m loss, contrasting with a 7% revenue rise and 57% adjusted EBITDA increase at Virginia Park Lodge, Ireland. Michael O’Hare closes Leeds restaurant Psycho Sandbar after seven months. StreetSmart's charity campaign, starting November 1, 2024, aims to raise funds with over 500 restaurants, including newcomers like Julie's and Kolae in London, and Mana in Manchester.
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  • 3 min

How smash burger brand Junk is looking to conquer the world

🍔 Majed Mansour and Wissem launched their first business, Graine, a cous cous bar brand, 11 years ago in Paris. Transitioned during Covid, they founded Junk, a burger brand, in 2021 with initial delivery operation. By the following year, Junk expanded to 14 sites across France and opened its first international site. The London site is located on Old Compton Street, Soho. Junk’s menu in London mirrors the French one, featuring a customizable burger, veggie options, truffle double cheeseburger, fries, chicken nuggets, and cookies from Puffy. Plans include opening 10-15 London sites, with interest in Oxford and Manchester, and at least two more sites in France by year-end. Additionally, they aim for Middle East expansion next year. Junk positions itself as a leading smash burger brand globally.
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The Tips Bill rights one of the restaurant sector’s greatest wrongs. It should be celebrated.

💲 In June, a report showed 63% of hospitality businesses took a cut of employees’ tips, with 29% using them to cover costs and 28% taking a profitable share. The Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act, which prohibits businesses from withholding service charges from employees, was enforced this week, aiming to reallocate £200m yearly back to staff. A RSM UK survey found 80% of consumers support staff receiving 100% of tips. Ping Pong, a London-based restaurant chain, faced backlash for trying to circumvent the law with a 15% 'brand charge,' later reducing it to a 5% discretionary service charge distributed to staff.
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