Latest news with #MWEat
Fashion Value Chain
28-04-2025
- Business
- Fashion Value Chain
Indian-origin Youth MP Aryaveer Baljee Joins Hands with MW Eat to Create Sustainable Source of Food Banks
United Kingdom | India | Bengaluru Joins forces with MW Eat J in Innova@ve Dining-Based Fundraiser for Food Banks Aryaveer is the grandson of Royal Orchid Hotels' Chairman & Managing Director Chander K Baljee and the son of Arjun Baljee, President, Royal Orchid Hotels MW Eat – the restaurant group behind Amaya, Veeraswamy, Chutney Mary and Masala Zone – has launched a charitable partnership with Hampshire's Youth MP Aryaveer Baljee to create a sustainable source of food bank funding through a unique new initiative called Pounds 4 Plates. Aryaveer Baljee with Ranjit Mathrani, cofounder of MW Eat Ltd Aryaveer is the grandson of Royal Orchid Hotels' Chairman & Managing Director Chander K Baljee and the son of Arjun Baljee, President, Royal Orchid Hotels. Following the success of the pilot Aryaveer has set his sights on India to unravel the unique model with the aim to bring about a change in how food banks are funded. The India project is expected to be called #Paisas4Plates. From 14th April until 28th April 2025, a voluntary 0.25% service charge will be added to diner bills across MW Eat's restaurants. The proceeds will be donated to The Winchester Beacon, a homelessness and food insecurity charity. The partnership is a pilot for what Aryaveer Baljee hopes will become a nationwide model for sustainable, low-barrier restaurant-led giving. 'I believe that hospitality is more than a service, but a bridge. It brings people together, creates jobs, uplifts communities, and fosters understanding across cultures. In a divided world, the simple act of welcoming another can be a powerful force for social good. In this case, the industry is helping tackle homelessness, an issue that I pledged to help reduce as part of my manifesto upon election in 2024.' This initiative demonstrates how the hospitality sector can creatively contribute to social causes without disrupting the dining experience.
Yahoo
09-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
American junk food is taking over Britain's high streets, warns curry tycoon
American junk food chains are taking over Britain's high streets, the owner of the UK's oldest Indian restaurant has said. Ranjit Mathrani, the founder of MW Eat, has said higher taxes and increased labour costs are playing into the hands of US fast food giants as they are better equipped to cope than smaller independent restaurants. It comes amid the fear of sweeping restaurant closures in the wake of Rachel Reeves's Budget, which increased both employer National Insurance rates and the National Minimum Wage. Mr Mathrani said: 'The McDonald's of the world and the KFCs of the world, with automation, will be less affected. The ones who will be most affected will be informal dining, everyday eating out for people who want table service and decent food at reasonable prices. 'It's going to affect the high street materially because the smaller restaurants will not survive, and the bigger ones will be converted into the Popeyes [US fried chicken chain] of the world, the fast food chains coming from the states.' MW Eat runs the Masala Zone chain, which has five sites across London, as well as the high-end Indian restaurants Amaya, Chutney Mary and Veeraswamy. Opened in 1926 by a retired British Indian Army Officer, Veeraswamy is the UK's oldest curry house and holds a Michelin Star for its cooking. Mr Mathrani has weighed in on the debate over restaurant closures as US chains such as Popeyes and Taco Bell expand at pace across Britain, fuelled by investment from private equity. As a result of the Budget, Mr Mathrani said his company would be forced to cut around 5pc of its workforce – equivalent to around 25 roles. He said: 'I've informed all my management that we will have to trim the headcount, and they're working on it as we speak. 'It'll be the restaurants which are giving customer service and providing food which is of variety and quality and made on the premises. That is what will be hollowed out for mass food service.' While Mr Mathrani does not oppose the idea of increasing NI contributions from employers, he believes the Chancellor's current plan could be tweaked so as not to specifically punish smaller hospitality businesses. In particular, he is opposed to the Chancellor's decision to lower the threshold at which NI is paid from £9,100 to £5,000, which he believes disproportionally impacts smaller restaurant chains that rely on part-time workers. The Treasury was contacted for comment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
09-03-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
American junk food is taking over Britain's high streets, warns curry tycoon
American junk food chains are taking over Britain's high streets, the owner of the UK's oldest Indian restaurant has said. Ranjit Mathrani, the founder of MW Eat, has said higher taxes and increased labour costs are playing into the hands of US fast food giants as they are better equipped to cope than smaller independent restaurants. It comes amid the fear of sweeping restaurant closures in the wake of Rachel Reeves's Budget, which increased both employer National Insurance rates and the National Minimum Wage. Mr Mathrani said: 'The McDonald's of the world and the KFCs of the world, with automation, will be less affected. The ones who will be most affected will be informal dining, everyday eating out for people who want table service and decent food at reasonable prices. 'It's going to affect the high street materially because the smaller restaurants will not survive, and the bigger ones will be converted into the Popeyes [US fried chicken chain] of the world, the fast food chains coming from the states.' MW Eat runs the Masala Zone chain, which has five sites across London, as well as the high-end Indian restaurants Amaya, Chutney Mary and Veeraswamy. Opened in 1926 by a retired British Indian Army Officer, Veeraswamy is the UK's oldest curry house and holds a Michelin Star for its cooking. Mr Mathrani has weighed in on the debate over restaurant closures as US chains such as Popeyes and Taco Bell expand at pace across Britain, fuelled by investment from private equity. As a result of the Budget, Mr Mathrani said his company would be forced to cut around 5pc of its workforce – equivalent to around 25 roles. He said: 'I've informed all my management that we will have to trim the headcount, and they're working on it as we speak. 'It'll be the restaurants which are giving customer service and providing food which is of variety and quality and made on the premises. That is what will be hollowed out for mass food service.' While Mr Mathrani does not oppose the idea of increasing NI contributions from employers, he believes the Chancellor's current plan could be tweaked so as not to specifically punish smaller hospitality businesses. In particular, he is opposed to the Chancellor's decision to lower the threshold at which NI is paid from £9,100 to £5,000, which he believes disproportionally impacts smaller restaurant chains that rely on part-time workers.
