Latest news with #TheCaterer
Rhyl Journal
3 days ago
- Business
- Rhyl Journal
Harlech Foodservice continues sponsorship of tourism awards
Harlech Foodservice, headquartered in Criccieth, has pledged a new three-year sponsorship deal for the Go North Wales Tourism Awards, extending its support until 2027. The wholesaler said the partnership is a way of "showing solidarity" with the tourism and hospitality sector, which has faced significant challenges during and since the pandemic. David Cattrall, managing director of Harlech Foodservice, said: "We are delighted to announce our continued support for the North Wales Tourism Awards. "It has become such an important event in the calendar for a sector that is vital to the North Wales economy and which attracts so many people to this beautiful area of the UK. "North Wales is a world-class tourism destination which is innovative and varied and we're proud to support those businesses by committing ourselves to backing these awards for the next three years. "The tourism and hospitality industry was hit hard by the pandemic and this is our opportunity to give something back and celebrate the achievements of our core customers." The awards will be held at Venue Cymru in Llandudno on November 20. (Image: Mandy Jones) Harlech Foodservice has served as the headline sponsor since 2021. This year, the company was named UK Food Wholesaler of the Year by The Caterer magazine and was also listed among the UK's best places to work by The Sunday Times. Founded more than 50 years ago, Harlech Foodservice initially focused on supplying hotels, pubs, holiday parks, and campsites across North West Wales. The company has since expanded to serve local authorities, schools, and hospitals, but hospitality remains a core customer base. Mr Cattrall emphasised the importance of supporting the industry through consistent, transparent pricing and digital upgrades. He said: "For the same reason we have implemented fixed, transparent pricing, and upgraded our website and app to enable customers to compare range, price and product information and make instant decisions." The company's "Trust Our Prices" campaign targets smaller, independent customers with weekly price reviews against major UK wholesalers. Harlech Foodservice claims that customers can save up to 14 per cent through its Harlech 50 price comparison scheme, which benchmarks top-selling products against industry competitor Booker. Customers can also earn up to 10 per cent back annually through its My Harlech loyalty app. Jim Jones, director of Go North Wales, welcomed the renewed partnership. Mr Jones said: "We're delighted that Harlech are committing to continue to support the tourism awards for the next three years. "We have had a long and fruitful partnership with them and they have played such a key part in the region's tourism for so many years."
North Wales Chronicle
5 days ago
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
Harlech Foodservice continues sponsorship of tourism awards
Harlech Foodservice, headquartered in Criccieth, has pledged a new three-year sponsorship deal for the Go North Wales Tourism Awards, extending its support until 2027. The wholesaler said the partnership is a way of "showing solidarity" with the tourism and hospitality sector, which has faced significant challenges during and since the pandemic. David Cattrall, managing director of Harlech Foodservice, said: "We are delighted to announce our continued support for the North Wales Tourism Awards. "It has become such an important event in the calendar for a sector that is vital to the North Wales economy and which attracts so many people to this beautiful area of the UK. "North Wales is a world-class tourism destination which is innovative and varied and we're proud to support those businesses by committing ourselves to backing these awards for the next three years. "The tourism and hospitality industry was hit hard by the pandemic and this is our opportunity to give something back and celebrate the achievements of our core customers." The awards will be held at Venue Cymru in Llandudno on November 20. (Image: Mandy Jones) Harlech Foodservice has served as the headline sponsor since 2021. This year, the company was named UK Food Wholesaler of the Year by The Caterer magazine and was also listed among the UK's best places to work by The Sunday Times. Founded more than 50 years ago, Harlech Foodservice initially focused on supplying hotels, pubs, holiday parks, and campsites across North West Wales. The company has since expanded to serve local authorities, schools, and hospitals, but hospitality remains a core customer base. Mr Cattrall emphasised the importance of supporting the industry through consistent, transparent pricing and digital upgrades. He said: "For the same reason we have implemented fixed, transparent pricing, and upgraded our website and app to enable customers to compare range, price and product information and make instant decisions." The company's "Trust Our Prices" campaign targets smaller, independent customers with weekly price reviews against major UK wholesalers. Harlech Foodservice claims that customers can save up to 14 per cent through its Harlech 50 price comparison scheme, which benchmarks top-selling products against industry competitor Booker. Customers can also earn up to 10 per cent back annually through its My Harlech loyalty app. Jim Jones, director of Go North Wales, welcomed the renewed partnership. Mr Jones said: "We're delighted that Harlech are committing to continue to support the tourism awards for the next three years. "We have had a long and fruitful partnership with them and they have played such a key part in the region's tourism for so many years."
Yahoo
31-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Zambrero plans 100 restaurants in UK by 2030
Australian quick-service restaurant chain Zambrero has announced a franchise recruitment initiative in the UK. The goal is to open 100 locations by 2030. The brand, which serves a range of Mexican-inspired dishes, made its UK debut in 2021 with a restaurant in Kentish Town, London. Since then, it has expanded to 13 locations including London, Manchester, Birmingham, Reading and Essex. In line with these expansion efforts, Zambrero has partnered with three franchisees who are set to launch new outlets by summer 2026, including the chain's first restaurant in Scotland, as reported by The Caterer. This growth initiative will create 1,500 full and part-time jobs. Zambrero UK is looking for additional franchise partners, multi-site operators and area developers to support its growth across various formats, including traditional dining establishments and drive-through locations. Founded in 2005 by Dr Sam Prince, Zambrero operates more than 300 restaurants across Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, the UK and the US. Zambrero UK chief executive Emily Teh told The Caterer:'We've had a lot of interest in the brand during the last couple of years – and now is the right time for us to expand through our franchise partners and work towards opening 100 restaurants by 2030. 'We also have opportunities for area developers to join us and help us achieve our growth plans. 'When you join Zambrero as a franchise partner, you become part of our 'Zam Fam' and make a commitment to partnering with us to bring an incredible experience to our customers every day. We're looking for passionate franchise partners who can open multiple restaurants.' "Zambrero plans 100 restaurants in UK by 2030" was originally created and published by Verdict Food Service, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
Daily Mail
11-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Popular UK restaurant chain shuts NINE locations in major brand shake-up
A popular restaurant chain has shut nine of its locations in a major brand shake-up. The move comes as takeaway giant Deep Blue Restaurants, which is the largest in the UK, has seen profits plummet in recent years. Now it is hoping to re-invest in another of its major chains. Deep Blue Restaurants bought the popular 96-year-old chain Harry Ramsden's in 2019 and is shifting its focus on to improving those restaurants. Between October 2024 and May 2025 it closed nine of its restaurants and now owns 16 Deep Blue restaurants and eight Harry Ramsden's eateries. Money made from the sale of its sites were re-invested back in to major Harry Ramsden restaurants including a large one in Brighton. The news will no doubt be welcome to bosses at the company after the restaurant owners saw turnover drop by 2.5 per cent at the end of 2024. Despite securing £5.57m in debt funding between October 2024 and February 2025, the chain has continued with its plan to focus on its collection of Harry Ramsden establishments The Caterer reported. Chief executive James Fleming wrote in its accounts: 'As in prior years, global events, the cost of living crisis and food cost inflation continued to present headwinds to trading in the first three quarters of FY 2025. 'Despite this, performance has been robust. Looking at the sites on a like for like basis (to account for the disposal of some stores) the group is trading in line with the budget set at the start of the year. 'Continued success with the franchising and licensing of the Harry Ramsden's brand has further driven revenue and profitability across the group. Management continue to focus on developing this element of the business, and there have been further new contract wins into 2025.' It comes as a branch of Bella Italia in Plymouth has been forced to close just months after it was hit with a zero food hygiene rating and ordered to make urgent improvements. But it has now shut too and a message to customers on the chain's website said: 'Bella Italia Plymouth, Barbican Leisure, is now closed.' It added: 'It is with a heavy heart that we announce the permanent closure of our Bella Italia restaurant in Plymouth. We want to take this moment to thank you for your loyalty, your laughter and the many memories you've helped us create over the years.' It directed customers to visit the next nearest Bella Italia, in Exeter, or 'sister-brand' Frankie and Benny's, also at the Barbican Leisure Park. The closure is unrelated to the recent hygiene rating. A Bella Italia spokesperson said: 'We are saddened by the closure of our popular restaurant in Plymouth. Unfortunately, the lease on this location expired and, despite our best efforts, new terms could not be agreed upon. The news will no doubt be welcome to bosses at the company after the restaurant owners saw turnover drop by 2.5 per cent at the end of 2024 'This decision is unrelated to an EHO rating, which concerned issues with the building itself and not hygiene standards. 'We would like to thank our fantastic Plymouth team, who have done an amazing job over the years. Where possible, team members have been offered positions at nearby restaurants either within the Bella Italia brand or elsewhere within The Big Table Group. 'We would also like to express our heartfelt thanks to our wonderful guests in Plymouth. We hope to see them again soon at one of our other Bella Italia restaurants. Of course, they are warmly welcome at Frankie & Benny's Plymouth, located less than a minute's walk from Bella. 'This particular restaurant has served our guests for many years and has been a much-loved part of the community. While it's always difficult to say goodbye, we're actively exploring options for new locations and hope to return to the area in the future.' The Bella Italia eatery at the Barbican Leisure Park has announced that it is now permanently closed after their lease expired and new terms could not be agreed. The restaurant has operated at the Cattedown attraction for more than 10 years and survived a huge cull of outlets, which saw the Derry's Cross Bella Italia restaurant close, in 2020.
Glasgow Times
04-06-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow hotel manager recognised at Acorn Awards 2025
David Morgan, the assistant conference and events manager at voco Grand Central in Glasgow, has been celebrated as one of the UK's youngest rising stars at this year's Acorn Awards. The awards, run by The Caterer, acknowledge 30 of the country's most promising hospitality professionals under 30 for their innovation, dedication, and influence in the industry. Since joining in 2021, David has become a vital part of the voco Grand Central team, earning admiration from both colleagues and guests for his work ethic and attentive leadership. Read more: UK restaurant chain's first Glasgow venue edges closer to opening (Image: Supplied) David said: "This is an unexpected honour and a real career highlight that I am delighted to be able to celebrate. "I feel incredibly lucky to be recognised alongside such talented individuals within the hospitality industry." David's connection to the historic hotel runs deep. His nana worked in the same building over 45 years ago, and he is now proudly following in her footsteps, all while studying for a hospitality management degree at Glasgow Caledonian University. David said: "It's also especially meaningful to be following in the footsteps of Katie Moran, our operations director here at voco Grand Central - and to honour my Nana, who worked in F&B in this very building over 45 years ago, just like me! "I hope she would be proud." Marcello Ventisei, general manager at voco Grand Central, said: "David exemplifies everything we stand for at voco – professionalism, passion and potential. "We're all incredibly proud of him. "From day one, he's brought energy and excellence to our team, and we're thrilled to see that recognised nationally." Read more: Glasgow housing association secures more than £500k for tenants Katie Moran, operations director and fellow Acorn Award alumna, said: "Having won an Acorn myself, I know how much this means - and David's very deserving of this accolade. "He's a rising star in every sense and brings such heart and drive to our hotel. "The future is bright for him, and this is only the beginning." Since 1986, the Acorn Awards have been a marker of success for young talent in the hospitality industry, with previous winners including Gordon Ramsay and Jason Atherton. David now joins this prestigious alumni list — proudly representing Glasgow on a national stage.
