Latest news with #BlackRooster
Edinburgh Live
2 days ago
- Business
- Edinburgh Live
Hungry Edinburgh customers in huge queue as new burger joint opens in Southside
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Dozens of Edinburgh customers were spotted queuing down the street ahead of a new burger joint opening. Burger-Drop opened on South Clerk Street on Friday night and the chain was celebrating its first Scottish restaurant by giving out 50 free burgers to the first customers through the door from 6pm. For the rest of the evening orders were slashed to half price as a huge queue formed on the Southside street which was filmed by staff and uploaded to their Instagram story. The chain currently operates four stores - with two in Newcastle, one in Sunderland and one in Whitley Bay. Owners say there are 'more in the pipeline'. Posting on Instagram along with a short clip of the queue of customers the team said: "Is that the biggest opening Scotland has ever seen? Burger-Drop has officially landed in Edinburgh. "Thank you for all the love on such an epic launch night." The new restaurant sits at 74-78 South Clerk Street, having moved into the spacious unit previously operated by Black Rooster - a former peri peri chicken restaurant. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. Customers at Burger-Drop can choose from a selection of juicy burgers, chicken tenders and loaded fries as well as select bundles offering deals on a burger with fries and a drink. For more information and latest updates you can check out Burger-Drop on Instagram here.
Scotsman
6 days ago
- Business
- Scotsman
New Edinburgh burger joint opening this week with free food for first 50 customers
A new burger joint is set to open in Edinburgh this week – and the first 50 customers through the doors will eat for free. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Moving into premises on South Clerk Street previously occupied by Black Rooster, it marks the Scottish debut for Burger Drop, a chain that's quickly become a favourite among burger lovers down south. The new Edinburgh eatery will open its doors to the public on Friday, May 30, bringing the brand's signature menu to the city's vibrant food scene. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In celebration of the opening, from 6pm locals will have a chance to take advantage of a special offer of the first 50 burgers being free and 50% off for the rest of the night. It's estimated that 25 new jobs will be created in the local area because of this new Burger Drop outlet. Launched during lockdown, Burger Drop currently operates four stores with two in Newcastle, Sunderland and Whitley Bay with many more in the pipeline. Following Edinburgh they have their eyes set on Manchester. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The company's focus on quality, innovation, and customer experience has driven its rapid rise, and Edinburgh represents a key chapter in its continuing success story. A spokesperson for Burger Drop said: 'We're incredibly excited to launch in Edinburgh, a city known for its rich culinary culture and passionate foodies. 'This opening is a big step forward for us and is part of our wider plan to grow the Burger Drop experience across the UK. We can't wait to serve the people of Edinburgh and be part of their community.'
Edinburgh Live
6 days ago
- Business
- Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh gets Burger Drop restaurant as popular chain opens first Scottish outlet
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A popular burger chain that's become a 'firm favourite' is launching their first Edinburgh spot. Burger Drop, which has restaurants in the north east of England, is opening their first Scottish outlet. The South Clerk Street promises 'quality' food, as they bring their signature menu to the capital. Launching on May 30, Burger Drop will be offering free burgers to the first 50 customers at 6pm- with 50 per cent off their menu for the rest of the night. The chain currently operates four stores - with two in Newcastle, one in Sunderland and one in Whitley Bay. Owners say there are 'more in the pipeline. A spokesperson for Burger Drop said: "Fast growing North East burger brand, Burger Drop is thrilled to announce the grand opening of its newest location in the heart of Edinburgh. Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox "This is the brand's Scotland debut which marks a significant milestone in the company's ambitious growth strategy. Known for its premium ingredients and obsession with crafting the best burger possible, Burger Drop has quickly become a favourite among burger lovers across the country. "We're incredibly excited to launch in Edinburgh, a city known for its rich culinary culture and passionate foodies. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sentstraight to your messages. "This opening is a big step forward for us and is part of our wider plan to grow the Burger Drop experience across the UK. We can't wait to serve the people of Edinburgh and be part of their community." The new restaurant sits at 74-78 South Clerk Street, and is moving into a unit previously operated by Black Rooster - a former peri peri chicken restaurant.
Daily Mirror
21-04-2025
- Daily Mirror
Feral gang used Snapchat to 'hunt' schoolgirl before brutal beating
WARNING: DISTRESSING VIDEO. Sofia Todd's mum Eleonora Paluzzi said the horror attack in Paisley earlier this month left her daughter traumatised, with a video capturing her brutal beating Paisley: Girl beaten after bullies track teen's Snapchat location A gang of teen thugs used Snapchat to "hunt" a schoolgirl before brutally beating her in front of a group of horrified spectators. Sofia Todd, 13, was enjoying a meal with her friends at the Black Rooster chicken restaurant in Paisley, just outside Glasgow, on April 16 when she was ambushed by a group of girls. Members of the group, who her mum said had bullied her "for months", had tracked her down to the eatery using the location feature on Snapchat, despite her having previously blocked them on the app. Shocking footage taken at the restaurant has captured the terrifying moment the girls descend on her with a flurry of kicks - leaving the helpless teen curled on the floor. A video sent to the Daily Record shows two girls mercilessly beating the girl while a third films after she was pulled from the restaurant by her hair, with the blows raining down until a member of staff pulls her free from the vile group. Sofia suffered a burst lip and sprained ankle, and was left covered with bruises. Her mum, Eleonora Paluzzi, arrived after staff had dialled an ambulance for the girl, with doctors discovering she had suffered a concussion after she was rushed to Royal Alexandra Hospital. Ms Paluzzi said her daughter was "tormented" by the group of girls for months before the incident. She added it was "sinister and terrifying" that her tormentors had managed to track her down despite Sofia having blocked them. She said: "Sofia has been tormented by these bullies for months. It got to the point where I had to pull her out of school because it was just too much. She blocked them all on Snapchat, yet they still managed to hunt her down. "The fact they used the app to pin her down is sinister and terrifying. She had only just started to get her confidence back after she was cruelly tormented by them, it's sickening." Police have confirmed following the shock incident that two female youths, aged 14 and 15, were reported to the local authorities. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Around 7.30pm on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 we received a report of an assault on a 13-year-old female youth in the High Street area of Paisley. She was taken to Royal Alexandra Hospital for treatment. Inquiries were carried out and two female youths, one aged 14 and one aged 15, have been reported to the relevant authority.' Ms Paluzzi said police had been patrolling the area when the group descended on young Sofia. She said: "There had actually been police patrolling the area at the time of the attack. They went into the restaurants but the two girls fled. Sofia has been left traumatised by this. It was bad enough with the bullying alone, but this has taken it to a whole new level." She added: "These bullies hunted my daughter down despite her taking every measure to stop them from contacting her and ultimately attacking her. I know that her video has also been shared widely on the app. Snapchat and other platforms are only facilitating and glorifying violence by allowing this to happen. It also should have better regulations around sharing the locations of young users." A Snapchat spokesperson said: 'We strictly prohibit the glorification of violent behaviour on Snapchat. If we become aware of this content, we remove it and take appropriate action. "On Snap Map, location sharing is off by default for all Snapchatters. Users must opt in to share their location, and they are unable to share their location with anyone who is not already their friend. If a user blocks another user, the blocked user can't view the other's location on the Snap Map."
Forbes
10-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Tariffs And Trade Winds: Vinitaly 2025 Reshapes Italian Wine Strategy
Vinitaly 2025 has just wrapped, and while the pavilions were filled with wine, espresso, and handshakes as always, there was no mistaking what dominated the conversation this year: U.S. tariffs. Vinitaly is Italy's largest international wine and spirits trade fair, held annually in Verona, bringing together producers, buyers, importers, and industry professionals from around the world. Though this is, at its core, an Italian wine trade fair, the real gravitational pull came from across the Atlantic. Importers, producers, retailers, journalists—everyone, everywhere—seemed to have the U.S. front and center in their minds. That's because America holds a major slice of the pie when it comes to Italian wine exports, and on April 2, the Trump administration's announcement of a sweeping 20% tariff on select categories of Italian wine sent a ripple effect through the global marketplace. Markets shifted. Distributors recalibrated. Strategic meetings turned tactical. But if you were expecting panic in Verona, you'd be mistaken. The tone at Vinitaly was not fear—it was focus. Within hours of the announcement, producers large and small were adjusting pricing, working through customs codes, and exploring new models. What could have been a crisis became, for many, a moment to move. This year, Vinitaly wasn't just a showcase of Italian excellence. It was a high-functioning nerve center of global trade—one that revealed both the fragility and the agility of the wine industry in a fast-moving world. As the dust settled and the conversations deepened, one theme became clear: the industry wasn't waiting to see what would happen next—it was already acting. From major importers hedging inventory to producers reassessing strategies on the ground in Verona, the response to the tariffs offered a snapshot of how quickly and cohesively the wine world can mobilize when the stakes are high. A Unified Response from the Consorzio Within 24 hours of the announcement, the Chianti Classico Consortium stepped forward with a clear message, aiming to strike a balance between concern and confidence. 'We are particularly concerned about the repercussions that the 20% tariff could have on our exports,' said Giovanni Manetti, President of the consortium. 'But we must have faith in our leaders, and we producers will work together to shoulder the burden. We believe American consumers will remain loyal to our wines, to the Black Rooster, and to the unique region behind every bottle.' That message of solidarity and swift action wasn't limited to producers alone. On the U.S. side, importers were already responding in real time, making decisive moves to buffer the impact and keep wine flowing through the system. Importers Move First to Protect the Pipeline While the immediate cost of the tariffs lands on wine at the point of entry, the ripple effects quickly spread through the entire three-tier system—especially for importers, who serve as the critical link between European producers and U.S. distributors. With margins already tight and contracts often locked months in advance, many importers had to make quick, high-stakes decisions. In anticipation of the President's April 2 announcement, several—among them Wilson Daniels and Banville Wine Merchants—chose to hedge their bets, securing significant inventories of European wines and ensuring that shipping containers were en route to the U.S. before the new tariffs could take effect. At an annual producer dinner hosted by Banville during Vinitaly, the atmosphere was more than celebratory—it was grateful. Producers like Klaus Gasser of Cantina Terlano and Claudio Farina of Azienda Agricola Farina openly praised Banville CEO Simone Luchetti for his swift action, which allowed their wines to remain in circulation without immediate pricing disruptions. For some larger firms, the move meant locking in nearly a year's worth of inventory. Banville secured three to four months' worth—enough to buy time, maintain momentum, and avoid passing costs downstream. Still, not all importers had the capital or logistical flexibility to make similar moves, highlighting the uneven impact the tariffs could have across the U.S. wine market. Inside the Numbers: The Pressure of the Three-Tier System For Banville's Luchetti, acting fast wasn't just about protecting margins—it was about protecting relationships. Vinitaly became a critical moment to reaffirm trust with producers and assure them that Banville was not only prepared, but committed to navigating the challenge side by side. 'Hope and pray is not a strategy,' Luchetti said. 'We hope these tariffs don't close anyone's doors—but we're not standing still.' Securing early shipments was only one piece of the puzzle. Ensuring access to U.S. warehouse space—particularly in New Jersey, where Banville operates—was equally essential. 'Relationships here are key,' he emphasized. 'You need the logistical infrastructure in place long before the container hits the water.' While some in the industry have suggested that producers, importers, and distributors can simply split the cost burden of tariffs across the chain, Luchetti cautions that the U.S. three-tier system leaves very little room to maneuver. 'The margin for wholesalers or importers is not that big,' he said. 'The American system makes it impossible to divide things up evenly when you're already operating on razor-thin margins.' To illustrate the complexity of that system, Luchetti points to one of Banville's long-standing partners, Slovenian producer Domaine Marjan Simčič. A bottle of his Rebula white wine typically retails for about $22 in the U.S.—but is sold to Banville for just $2.66. Once the importer, distributor, and retailer apply their respective markups, the bottle reflects a 728% increase from winery to consumer. Before anyone gets upset about that, you have to understand the structure. Wineries are already selling at their lowest viable price. There is no room to offer a discount. And the three-tier system isn't going anywhere. This is just the reality of the American wine industry. Ultimately, the burden of the tariff falls squarely on the importer the moment the container arrives in the U.S. port. Whether or not that cost is passed along to the consumer—and how—is a calculation that varies case by case. But the financial pressure starts long before the bottle ever hits the shelf. Why America Dominated the Conversation—at an Italian Fair Though Vinitaly is firmly rooted in Italy, it has always been global in its impact. The United States remains the single largest market for Italian wine exports, accounting for more than $2 billion annually—nearly a quarter of Italy's total wine export value. The significance of that footprint can't be overstated. Even before tariffs, the Italian wine sector was already navigating razor-thin margins, inflationary pressure, rising logistics costs, and the ever-present conversation of lower demand for alcohol. Now, the sudden imposition of tariffs—at the height of buying season—has triggered an industry-wide scramble to reassess pricing models, renegotiate contracts, and in some cases, entirely reimagine market strategy. Producers Adapt with Measured Optimism Badia a Passignano Antinori estate getty Renzo Cotarella, CEO of Marchesi Antinori, acknowledges the tariffs as a challenge—but not an insurmountable one. While a 20% duty at the point of entry is far from ideal, Cotarella estimates that the actual impact on shelf price could be closer to 6–7%, provided there's no compounding markup downstream. For wines positioned at a higher price point, he sees the added cost as something that can be absorbed—albeit with sacrifice—across the supply chain, from producers to importers and distributors. His outlook is measured: the situation isn't welcome, but it's manageable, and there remains hope that the tariff rate could ultimately be reduced. 'Certainly, these tariffs, coming right during Vinitaly, have not helped to frame the event in a positive light,' Cotarella said. 'I believe that, in some ways, there has been too much discussion about them, and we've missed an opportunity to celebrate wine for what it truly is: for the pleasure it brings, for the moments of joy it creates, and for the friendships it fosters.' For Cotarella, the structure of Antinori's U.S. operations offers a layer of stability. With its own import company in place, the group can manage much of the impact internally—at least up to the distributor level. Still, he emphasizes that tariffs create a negative effect across the board. While larger, more diversified companies may be better positioned to absorb the blow, Cotarella cautions against viewing this moment as an opportunity to gain market share at the expense of smaller producers, calling that mindset a fundamental misstep. Beyond Logistics: Reaffirming the Value of the U.S. Market Giuseppe Vajra of GD Vajra shares a similarly grounded perspective. Like Antinori, Vajra's family estate has its own U.S. import company, offering a degree of control and insulation from short-term volatility. But beyond logistics, Vajra is deeply attuned to the emotional and cultural dimensions of the American market. 'We love American wine lovers,' he says, 'and we suffer when some colleagues say that 'the future is elsewhere' or that 'America is the past.'' For Vajra, the U.S. remains a place of curiosity, connection, and enduring passion for wine. At the same time, he cautions against letting fear or division define the industry's response. 'The tariff-retaliation dynamic reveals that in a community, no one can stay unscathed by passing all onus to the others,' he notes. 'Instead, I hope we stay united, supportive, and focused on what we do best—offering something meaningful to people's lives.' He added that this is no time to move slowly or freeze like a deer in the headlights. The priority, he emphasized, is taking action—decisive, practical steps to keep business moving forward. A Panoramic Perspective: Terra Moretti's Strategic Patience As the CEO of Terra Moretti, Massimo Tuzzi oversees a portfolio that spans some of Italy's most iconic wine estates—including Bellavista in Franciacorta, Petra in Suvereto, Teruzzi in San Gimignano, and Sella & Mosca in Sardinia. That range gives him a panoramic view of the Italian wine landscape and a sharp sense of how small shifts in pricing can ripple across categories and regions. For Tuzzi, the concern isn't just about short-term strategy—it's about pricing psychology. 'Once you lift the bar on price,' he says, 'it's very, very unpredictable. That price rarely goes back down.' Sella & Mosca's Vermentino, which typically retails around $14.99 in the U.S., is particularly vulnerable to subtle increases. A $1 jump at retail may seem minor, but Tuzzi warns that it sets a new expectation—one the consumer ultimately bears. 'The real potential fallout is that retailers and restaurants may raise prices by just one or two dollars,' he says. 'But the likelihood that they lower them again is very slim.' Still, Tuzzi isn't advocating panic. In fact, he's an advocate for measured response rather than immediate reaction. 'Many producers and importers want answers now,' he says. 'But I'm very much against reacting before we have all the elements on the table.' He recommends using the moment wisely—monitoring developments, protecting margin where possible, and avoiding knee-jerk decisions. 'Keep calm and take time to think through the elements in front of you,' he advises. 'This is a moment to think—not just move.' A Window of Reprieve—and a Call for Clarity That philosophy gained added weight on Wednesday, April 9, when the Trump administration unexpectedly announced a 90-day pause on new tariffs—excluding those on China—offering the Italian wine world a brief but meaningful window to gather information, reassess, and prepare. With continued uncertainty on the horizon, the consensus across producers, importers, and institutions seems to echo a single, unifying strategy: move quickly when needed—but think even faster. Back to What Matters In the end, while strategy, pricing, and policy will always play a role, the soul of the wine industry lies elsewhere—in connection, culture, and the shared joy of the product itself. As Renzo Cotarella put it: 'So, enough with tariffs. If they are confirmed, we will work to navigate them. But let's focus on what really matters: promoting wine, encouraging its responsible consumption, and continuing to ensure that it is seen as a fascinating, enjoyable product to be shared with friends on the right occasions.'
