Blog

It’s Not Loyalty — It’s Habit: Why Customers Keep Coming Back

Posted by Stelios on 16th Oct 2025       Reading Time:

For a long while, a good friend and I have been chatting about customer loyalty — and how people perceive it, especially when it comes to the big brands. You know, the golden arches kind. Many i … read more

#229: The Scottish Fryers Shaping the Future of Fish & Chips

Posted by Emma on 16th Oct 2025       Reading Time:

The Ceres Podcast has built its reputation on authentic industry conversations, and Episode 229 – part of the Roundtable Series – brings that to life in true Scottish style. Hosted by Jami … read more

Whitbread Expands Thrive Programme to Support Young People with Learning Disabilities

Posted by Emma on 15th Oct 2025       Reading Time:

Whitbread, the UK’s largest hospitality company and owner of Premier Inn, has expanded its Thrive programme by launching a new training centre at Lincolnshire County Council’s InspireU cam … read more

Honest Burgers Returns to Profit and Eyes Expansion of Its Smash + Grab Concept

Posted by Emma on 15th Oct 2025       Reading Time:

Honest Burgers has made a decisive return to profitability after years of losses, signalling renewed confidence in the UK’s casual dining market and laying out ambitious plans to expand its fast … read more

Hard Rock Café Feels the Strain as UK Sales Slide and Losses Mount

Posted by Emma on 15th Oct 2025       Reading Time:

Hard Rock Café’s UK division has reported a significant widening of losses, revealing the ongoing pressure on themed hospitality brands navigating a challenging post-pandemic and inflatio … read more

Raising Standards, Not Prices: Daniel Rosser on Building Noah’s Into a Bristol Landmark

Posted by Emma on 14th Oct 2025       Reading Time:

In this episode of The Ceres Podcast, Stelios is joined by Daniel Rosser, the driving force behind Noah’s Fish and Chips in Bristol. Known for its clean flavours, consistency, and restaurant-qua … read more

25 Years, 25,000 Smiles: Our Biggest Day Yet

Posted by Kelly Barnes on 14th Oct 2025       Reading Time:

When I first floated the idea of raising £25,000 in a single day, people looked at me like I’d lost the plot. But if you know me, you’ll know once I’ve got an idea in my head, … read more

Cover Charge: The Real Cost of Getting Customers Through the Door

Posted by David Miller on 12th Oct 2025       Reading Time:

David Miller, co-owner of Millers Fish & Chips in Haxby and co-host of the Ceres Podcast Master Class. His shop won Seafish Fish & Chip Shop of the Year in 2018. It’s never been harder … read more

US Seafood Chain Anchors Its UK Debut in Broadstairs

Posted by Emma on 10th Oct 2025       Reading Time:

North America’s beloved seafood restaurant chain, Captain D’s, is set to cast its net across British waters with the launch of its first UK outlet in Broadstairs, Kent, later this month. O … read more

When the Factory Falls Silent, So Do the Fryers - The Butterfly Effect of Big Business on Local Trade

Posted by Emily on 10th Oct 2025       Reading Time:

When Jaguar Land Rover’s Solihull plant was paralysed by a cyberattack in late August, headlines focused on the £180 billion global giant brought to its knees. But in the quiet streets jus … read more

Opening The Hatch On A New Business

Posted by Emily on 10th Oct 2025       Reading Time:

Famous as the birthplace of the deep-fried Mars Bar, The Carron Fish Bar in the coastal town of Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, has long been a destination for fish and chip lovers from across the UK and b … read more

Serving Britain: How Migration Built Our Hospitality Industry — and Why We’re Breaking It

Posted by Stelios on 10th Oct 2025       Reading Time:

Britain loves to eat globally but fears hiring globally — in this weekend deep dive, I explore how migration crackdowns are reshaping the UK’s kitchens, cafés, and couriers. Few in … read more

Tories Promise to Scrap Business Rates as UKHospitality Demands Urgent Reform

Posted by Emily on 8th Oct 2025       Reading Time:

The Conservative Party has pledged to abolish business rates for high street shops and pubs if it wins the next general election — a move that has reignited debate over Britain’s long-cont … read more

Beyond the Pass: The Human Cost of the Chef Shortage Hitting Britain’s Hospitality Sector

Posted by Emma on 8th Oct 2025       Reading Time:

A mounting shortage of chefs is crippling Britain’s independent restaurants, creating what industry leaders describe as a “perfect storm” for hospitality. The Oxford Guild of Chefs h … read more

#227: Surviving & Thriving: The Ceres Podsquad Talks Business

Posted by Emma on 8th Oct 2025       Reading Time:

The Ceres Podcast is back with another thought-provoking Podsquad discussion, and Episode 227 doesn’t disappoint. Host Stelios Theocharous is joined by Kelly Barnes, David Nicolaou, Mark Petrou, … read more

Salt Bae’s UK Restaurant Arm Suffers £5.4m Loss After US Closures

Posted by Emma on 7th Oct 2025       Reading Time:

The UK division of Salt Bae’s luxury steakhouse group has posted a £5.4 million loss after closing several international restaurants, including sites in Boston and New York. Turkish chef N … read more

Chicken Cottage Spreads Its Wings: Hits 2025 Expansion Target Ahead of Schedule

Posted by Emma on 6th Oct 2025       Reading Time:

Chicken Cottage has announced that it has achieved its 2025 target of opening ten new locations — and with one quarter still remaining in the year, the brand shows no signs of slowing down. The … read more

Punk No More: How BrewDog’s Bold Ambitions Unravelled in a Tough Market

Posted by Emma on 6th Oct 2025       Reading Time:

BrewDog, once the poster child for Britain’s craft beer revolution, is facing its most sobering chapter yet. Following five consecutive years of losses totalling £148 million, the Aberdeen … read more

Wendy’s UK Records Turnover Growth Amid Aggressive Expansion Push

Posted by Emma on 6th Oct 2025       Reading Time:

Wendy’s UK has reported a rise in turnover following continued investment in its company-owned restaurant estate, signalling renewed momentum for the American burger chain as it deepens its pres … read more

Rising Costs Force Half of Hospitality Operators to Cut Back on Capital Spending

Posted by Emily on 6th Oct 2025       Reading Time:

Nearly half of Britain’s hospitality operators have been forced to scale back their capital expenditure (capex) programmes as spiralling operational costs take their toll on the industry, accord … read more

After Rayner: What’s Next for Workers’ Rights and Business in Britain?

Posted by Stelios on 5th Oct 2025       Reading Time:

Angela Rayner’s sudden departure from government has sent shockwaves through Westminster — and across Britain’s high streets. For business owners in hospitality, from pubs to fish an … read more

The Great British Takeover: How American Chains Are Eating Our Lunch

Posted by Stelios on 5th Oct 2025       Reading Time:

When KFC first opened its doors in Preston back in 1965, no one could have imagined that this little shop on Fishergate High Street would spark a revolution. Fast forward nearly six decades, and the g … read more

Has Leon Lost Its Way? Asda Owners Accused of Betraying the Brand’s Healthy Roots

Posted by Emma on 5th Oct 2025       Reading Time:

Henry Dimbleby, co-founder of the once trailblazing healthy fast-food chain Leon, has accused its current owners of abandoning the company’s founding principles in favour of profit-driven junk f … read more

A Knock at the Door: How One Café’s Ordeal Exposes the Human Cost of Immigration Crackdowns

Posted by Emma on 5th Oct 2025       Reading Time:

In the picturesque Surrey Hills, where winding lanes meet old stone cottages and weekend cyclists stop for tea, the tranquillity was shattered one September afternoon when immigration officers descend … read more

Taxed Out: Why Hospitality Can’t Afford to Be Ignored This November

Posted by Kate Nicholls on 4th Oct 2025       Reading Time:

Welcome to this edition of Point of View, where we share perspectives from the voices shaping Britain’s hospitality industry. In this column, Kate Nicholls OBE, Chair of UKHospitality, offers he … read more

Karali Group Strengthens UK Dining Presence with Côte Takeover

Posted by Emma on 4th Oct 2025       Reading Time:

Côte Restaurant Group has officially been acquired by the Karali Group, marking a significant shift in the UK casual dining landscape. The sale comes just weeks after speculation that Côte … read more

Tax Burden Threatens Food Prices, Tesco Warns Government

Posted by Emma on 3rd Oct 2025       Reading Time:

Tesco has urged the government to resist imposing further taxes on businesses in the upcoming Budget, warning that any additional burden could push up prices for shoppers and threaten the stability of … read more

Costa Coffee’s Future in Question as Coca-Cola Prepares Sale

Posted by Emma on 3rd Oct 2025       Reading Time:

Private equity giant Bain Capital, the owner of PizzaExpress and upmarket bakery chain Gail’s, has entered the race to acquire Costa Coffee from Coca-Cola in a deal that could reshape the UK&rsq … read more

Wetherspoon’s Balancing Act: Rising Profits Amid Soaring Costs

Posted by Emma on 3rd Oct 2025       Reading Time:

JD Wetherspoon, the pub giant operating nearly 800 venues across the UK, has reported a strong financial performance for the year ending 27 July 2025. Despite mounting cost pressures, the group delive … read more

Greggs Price Rise: The Cost of Wages, National Insurance, and a Shifting Economy

Posted by Emma on 3rd Oct 2025       Reading Time:

Greggs, the bakery chain synonymous with sausage rolls and affordable breakfast deals, is set to increase prices across a range of items as it grapples with the mounting burden of employment costs. Fr … read more

Wolseley Hospitality Group Records £64m Turnover as Expansion Plans Gather Pace

Posted by Emma on 3rd Oct 2025       Reading Time:

The Wolseley Hospitality Group has reported a turnover exceeding £64 million in its latest financial results, underscoring the resilience of London’s dining sector amid economic pressures. … read more

Tortilla Forecasts Strongest Year Yet Amid UK Growth

Posted by Emma on 1st Oct 2025       Reading Time:

Tortilla has announced that 2025 is set to be its most profitable year in the UK, following a strong first half marked by sales growth and record earnings. The Mexican restaurant chain reported a 5% … read more

German Doner Kebab Enters Value Menu Battle with £5 Line-Up

Posted by Emma on 1st Oct 2025       Reading Time:

German Doner Kebab (GDK) has joined the increasingly fierce battle for the quick-service restaurant (QSR) lunchtime market with the launch of its new Fiver Menu. Offering five dishes at £5, the … read more

KFC Profits Surge to £97.6m Despite Job Cuts in the UK

Posted by Emma on 1st Oct 2025       Reading Time:

KFC has reported a sharp rise in profit across its UK operations, despite shedding jobs and seeing a fall in turnover. Newly filed accounts show that the fast-food chain recorded a pre-tax profit of … read more

Popeyes UK Eyes 100 Sites by Year-End Amid Fierce Competition

Posted by Emma on 1st Oct 2025       Reading Time:

Popeyes UK has reported strong growth in its latest financial results, revealing turnover of £118.9 million for the year ending 31 December 2024. This figure marks a significant rise from £ … read more

Wingstop UK Breaks £100m Barrier with Ambitious Growth Plans

Posted by Emma on 1st Oct 2025       Reading Time:

Wingstop UK has reported a remarkable year of growth, with profits and turnover both reaching record highs. The company described 2024 as a “transformational year”, marked by soaring sales … read more

Meal Deals and New Ventures: Greggs Reports 6.1% Sales Growth

Posted by Emma on 1st Oct 2025       Reading Time:

Greggs, the UK’s high street bakery chain, has reported sales growth of 6.1% in the third quarter of 2025, despite a weaker performance during July. The company attributed the dip to unusually h … read more

Pret A Manger Joins the Drive-Thru Race in 2026

Posted by Emma on 30th Sep 2025       Reading Time:

Pret A Manger is preparing to open its first drive-thru location in early 2026, marking a significant step in the brand’s expansion into more travel-focused and convenience-driven formats. Chie … read more

Honest Burgers Expands with Acquisition of 12 GBK Sites

Posted by Emma on 30th Sep 2025       Reading Time:

Honest Burgers has acquired 12 Gourmet Burger Kitchen (GBK) restaurants for an undisclosed sum, signalling a significant step in its long-term growth strategy. The purchase was made possible through … read more

The Little Sister Making A Big Impact

Posted by Emma on 23rd Sep 2025       Reading Time:

Husband and wife Dan Meredith and Sophie McLeod have become firm fixtures in the Oldfield Park community of Bath since taking over The Oyster Shell in 2022. A little sister to the well-known Scallop S … read more

Jamie Russo to support Ceres customers in Scotland

Posted by Emily on 23rd Sep 2025       Reading Time:

We now have a dedicated presence in Scotland with the appointment of Jamie Russo as Field Training Specialist. For Jamie, it’s more than just a new role, it’s a chance to give back to the … read more

Government Proposes Overhaul to Business Rates System

Posted by Emma on 15th Sep 2025       Reading Time:

The UK government is contemplating pivotal reforms to the current tax system, aiming to facilitate the expansion of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly within the hospitality secto … read more

Itsu Expands as Losses Deepen Despite Turnover Growth

Posted by Emma on 8th Sep 2025       Reading Time:

Itsu, the Asian-inspired quick-service chain, has reported widening losses despite an uplift in sales. For the 53 weeks ending 2 January 2025, the group posted turnover of £120 million, a 3.7% i … read more

Papas Group's New Franchise Venture with JD Wetherspoon

Posted by Emma on 8th Sep 2025       Reading Time:

In a significant development for the British pub industry, the family-owned Papas Group has entered into a notable franchise agreement with JD Wetherspoon. This new accord will witness Papas Group ope … read more

Malawi: Lessons in Hospitality, Sanitation, and Community Leadership

Posted by Sarah Heward on 5th Sep 2025       Reading Time:

Welcome to this edition of Trade Talks, where we bring you insights straight from the fryers of the fish and chip industry. In this column, Sarah Heward, founder and co-owner of The Real Food Caf&eacu … read more

VAT Threshold Tug of War: Raise It, Lower It, or Rethink It?

Posted by Stelios on 2nd Sep 2025       Reading Time:

Few things stir up more debate in small business circles than VAT. In the fish and chip industry, people usually grumbleabout the rate. But behind the rate is something less glamorous, yet arguably mo … read more

Chick-fil-A’s Ambitious Return: US Fast Food Giant to Open Flagship Leeds Restaurant

Posted by Emma on 1st Sep 2025       Reading Time:

Chick-fil-A, the renowned American fried chicken chain, has confirmed the opening of a new restaurant in Leeds this autumn, signalling a determined return to the British market. The launch marks the c … read more

The ‘McDonald’s of the Sea’ Docks in Kent: Captain D’s Launches Its First UK Restaurant

Posted by Emma on 1st Sep 2025       Reading Time:

Captain D’s, the renowned US-based fast-casual seafood chain, is set to make its long-anticipated debut on British soil, with its inaugural UK location confirmed for the Westwood Cross Shopping … read more

Dave's Hot Chicken Announces Ambitious European Rollout

Posted by Emma on 1st Sep 2025       Reading Time:

Dave's Hot Chicken, a well-known American fast-casual restaurant chain, has announced plans to open 180 new outlets across Europe. The agreement marks a significant step in the brand’s internati … read more

Resignation Rocks Hospitality Council as Industry Voices Clash with Government Policy

Posted by Emma on 1st Sep 2025       Reading Time:

The chair of one of Britain’s foremost bar chains has resigned from a high-level government taskforce, citing pressure from civil servants after voicing concerns about Labour’s fiscal stra … read more

Octopus, bath tubs and generosity: The Scallop Shell quirks

Posted by Emily on 1st Sep 2025       Reading Time:

The Scallop Shell has come a long way since chef Garry Rosser first opened its doors 11 years ago. What began as a small, farm-based takeaway near Frome, Somerset, quickly outgrew its humble beginning … read more

How Apprenticeships Transformed My Career in the Fish & Chip Industry

Posted by Abby Barker on 1st Sep 2025       Reading Time:

Welcome to this edition of Trade Talks, where we bring you insights straight from the friers of the Fish & Chip industry. In this column, Abby Barker, Frier at Millers Fish & Chips in Haxby, s … read more

Would You Like Curry Sauce with That? Why Scripts Boost Profits Overnight

Posted by Stelios on 22nd Aug 2025       Reading Time:

What if I told you that a single well-timed question—“Would you like curry sauce with that?”—could lift your sales by 10–15% overnight? Fast food giants know it. The … read more

#226: Resilience, Community, and the Future of Fish & Chips

Posted by Emily on 21st Aug 2025       Reading Time:

When four industry voices sit down together, you can be sure the conversation won’t just skim the surface. In Episode 226 of The Ceres Podcast, host Stelios Theocharous is joined by Kelly Barnes … read more

Leadership Shake-Up at McDonald’s UK: Alistair Macrow Exits, Lauren Schultz Steps In

Posted by Emma on 21st Aug 2025       Reading Time:

McDonald’s UK & Ireland is preparing for a significant leadership transition as Alistair Macrow steps down from his role as chief executive officer. After four years in the post and nearly t … read more

Burger King Targets Turnaround with $400m Modernisation Push

Posted by Emily on 21st Aug 2025       Reading Time:

Burger King is stepping up efforts to revive its struggling U.S. business, announcing major investment in remodels and a reshaping of its franchise model, as parent company Restaurant Brands Internati … read more

UK Hospitality Crisis: 7 in 10 Venues Struggling to Fill Seats

Posted by Emily on 20th Aug 2025       Reading Time:

The UK hospitality industry is grappling with a worsening financial squeeze, as new research reveals that most businesses are operating at well below sustainable levels. A nationwide survey of 14,300 … read more

Consumers Cut Back on Fast Food but Indulge in Branded Treats

Posted by Emma on 20th Aug 2025       Reading Time:

Britons are rethinking their relationship with fast food. Once seen as an easy and affordable indulgence, takeaway meals are slipping down the list of household priorities as grocery bills climb and b … read more

Why Britain’s Food Inflation Crisis Isn’t Over Yet

Posted by Emily on 20th Aug 2025       Reading Time:

Food prices are rising again — and not by a little. Over the past five years, the cost of everyday essentials has surged by nearly 37%. To put that in perspective, the previous five years saw an … read more

UK Oilseed Rape Harvest 2025 Breaks Records

Posted by Emma on 20th Aug 2025       Reading Time:

The 2025 UK oilseed rape (OSR) harvest is on track to break records, with national average yields forecast at 3.95–4.0 tonnes per hectare. This would surpass the long-standing record of 3.9 … read more

Experts Push for Stronger Allergen Labelling Across the UK and Europe

Posted by Emma on 20th Aug 2025       Reading Time:

Pine nuts, goat’s milk, buckwheat, and peas are driving a growing number of severe allergic reactions across Europe—yet none are on the EU’s mandatory allergen labelling list. Expert … read more

The Fish & Chip Shop Advantage McDonald’s Can’t Buy

Posted by Stelios on 16th Aug 2025       Reading Time:

If McDonald’s can measure service times in tenths of a second, why are some of us still letting customers wait minutes? That was the question that struck me when I read about their new “Re … read more

UK Harvest Gains Pace, but Market Sentiment Stays Bearish

Posted by Emily on 14th Aug 2025       Reading Time:

The UK wheat harvest is moving steadily forward despite a testing season of stop–start weather. By Aug 6, almost half (48%) of winter wheat was in the barn—up sharply from 11% a fortnight … read more

Domino’s Points the Finger at Planning Delays for Sluggish UK Growth

Posted by Emma on 14th Aug 2025       Reading Time:

Domino’s Pizza has become the latest high-profile brand to publicly criticise the UK’s planning system, warning that bureaucratic bottlenecks are undermining its expansion plans. Chief exe … read more

Hospitality Suffers Largest Job Losses Amid National Insurance Hike

Posted by Emma on 14th Aug 2025       Reading Time:

The UK hospitality sector has suffered a dramatic blow, losing over 100,000 payrolled employees in the past year, with the majority of losses occurring since the Government announced increases to empl … read more

Labour’s Youth Wage Reform Faces Industry Backlash

Posted by Emma on 8th Aug 2025       Reading Time:

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has instructed the Low Pay Commission to draw up plans to eliminate the £2-per-hour pay gap between 18–20-year-olds and older adults. Backed by trade un … read more

#225 – “Taxed Out”: Kate Nicholls Unpacks the True Cost of Hospitality

Posted by Emma on 8th Aug 2025       Reading Time:

In the latest episode of The Ceres Podcast, host Stelios Theocharous sits down once again with a returning and always insightful guest: Kate Nicholls, Chair of UKHospitality. What starts as a che … read more

#224 - Fish Prices, Chip Shop Survival, and Future Trends

Posted by Emma on 7th Aug 2025       Reading Time:

Ever wondered how successful fish and chip shop owners are handling the industry's constant challenges? Episode 224 of The Ceres Podcast, hosted by Stelios Theocharous, brings you a candid conversatio … read more

Profits Up, Donations Down: McDonald’s Balances the Books

Posted by Emma on 7th Aug 2025       Reading Time:

McDonald’s UK nearly doubled its profits in 2024 — yet behind the headline lies a stark shift in priorities. While pre-tax earnings surged to £120 million, the company slashed thousa … read more

Hospitality Sector on the Brink as Employment Costs Force Daily Shutdowns

Posted by Emily on 7th Aug 2025       Reading Time:

The UK's hospitality sector is facing a troubling crisis, with an average of two hospitality businesses closing their doors every single day during the first half of 2025. Recent research by CGA, NIQ, … read more

Papa John's UK Closes 74 of Its Outlets in Profitability Drive

Posted by Emma on 7th Aug 2025       Reading Time:

Papa John's, the renowned American pizza chain, has announced the closure of 74 restaurants across the UK in an attempt to stem increasing financial losses and refocus its business strategy on profita … read more

#223: Grit, Growth, and Great Fish & Chips with Nigel Hodgson

Posted by Emma on 6th Aug 2025       Reading Time:

What does it take to build one of the UK’s most respected fish and chip shops from scratch? According to Nigel Hodgson of Hodgsons Chippy in Lancaster, it’s not glamour, funding, or luck. … read more

Minimum Wage Set to Rise Again: Will It Lift Incomes or Cost Jobs?

Posted by Emma on 6th Aug 2025       Reading Time:

The UK’s minimum wage could climb to £12.71 per hour from April 2026, according to the latest projections by the Low Pay Commission (LPC). This would mark a 4.1% rise f … read more

Co-op’s Bold Expansion Signals Challenge to Takeaways and Foodservice Operators

Posted by Emma on 3rd Aug 2025       Reading Time:

In a move that could reshape the UK’s quick-service and food-to-go sectors, Co-op has launched a new chain of ‘On the Go’ stores—compact, high-footfall outlets designed to serv … read more

Business Rates Are Broken—But Will Anyone Fix Them?

Posted by Stelios on 3rd Aug 2025       Reading Time:

Business rates in Britain are outdated, unfair, and long overdue for reform. Let’s stop pretending otherwise. Every time reform is “on the table,” what happens is a bit of tinkering … read more

Rain or Shine, the Struggle Continues: Hospitality Sales Flatline in June

Posted by Emma on 1st Aug 2025       Reading Time:

Britain’s hospitality sector closed the first half of 2025 with little cause for celebration, as sales across the nation’s leading pub, bar and restaurant groups remained flat compared to … read more

Why I Reached Out to My MP – and Why You Should Too

Posted by George Morey on 1st Aug 2025       Reading Time:

Welcome to this edition of Trade Talks, where we bring you insights straight from the fryers of the fish and chip industry. In this column, George Morey, manager of Knights Fish & C … read more

Sausage Roll Saturation? Analysts Question Greggs’ Expansion Drive

Posted by Emma on 29th Jul 2025       Reading Time:

Once the darling of Britain’s high street, Greggs is now facing serious questions about its pace of growth, profitability, and whether the nation’s appetite for sausage rolls has finally h … read more

Why I’m Travelling to Malawi — And What It Means for Our Fish & Chip Café

Posted by Sarah Heward on 29th Jul 2025       Reading Time:

Welcome to this edition of Trade Talks, where we bring you insights straight from the fryers of the fish and chip industry. In this column, Sarah Heward, founder and co-owner of The Real Foo … read more

A Fresh Pour for Pubs – But What About the Rest of Hospitality?

Posted by Emma on 28th Jul 2025       Reading Time:

As the government unveils new plans to rejuvenate Britain’s high streets, a wave of optimism has greeted proposals aimed at easing licensing laws, streamlining planning rules, and protecting che … read more

The Great British Summer Job Faces Decline Amid Soaring Costs

Posted by Emma on 28th Jul 2025       Reading Time:

Once a rite of passage for young Britons, the traditional summer job in hospitality is facing a severe and sudden decline. New data reveal a sharp 25% drop in seasonal job postings for pubs, restauran … read more

UK Harvest 2025: Encouraging Oilseed Rape, But Wheat Takes a Hit

Posted by Emma on 28th Jul 2025       Reading Time:

The UK’s 2025 harvest season has been nothing short of unpredictable. A fast start in early July offered hope. Still, that optimism has been tempered by repeated interruptions from heavy rainfal … read more

Episode 222: Margin, Mistakes & Mastery – A Candid Conversation with Graham Reed-Stephenson  

Posted by Emily on 26th Jul 2025       Reading Time:

If you own (or dream of owning) a fish and chip business, Episode 222 of The Ceres Podcast is a goldmine. Host Mark Petrou draws out a lifetime of wins, missteps and sharpened inst … read more

Captain Thornton’s Big Catch

Posted by Emma on 25th Jul 2025       Reading Time:

James Thornton, owner of Captain Thornton’s in Leeds, says he’s “blown away” after winning a full pallet of Ceres Yorkshire Batter Mix in a recent competition — a prize h … read more

Five Guys Secures £185m Refinance Deal to Power UK and European Expansion

Posted by Emma on 24th Jul 2025       Reading Time:

In a bold move amid economic headwinds for the hospitality sector, premium burger chain Five Guys has finalised a £185 million refinancing agreement aimed at accelerating its expansion across th … read more

Delivering Trouble: Government Targets Illegal Riders in Hospitality’s Shadow Economy

Posted by Emma on 24th Jul 2025       Reading Time:

The UK Government has launched a major crackdown on illegal working in the gig economy, targeting migrants operating as delivery drivers without legal work status, many of whom were found residing in … read more

Noah’s Firmly Embedded In Bristol Food Scene

Posted by Emily on 22nd Jul 2025       Reading Time:

Tucked away under the Cumberland Basin in Bristol, with views of the city’s iconic docks and the Clifton Suspension Bridge, sits Noah’s – a unique fish and chips and seafood restaura … read more

Nearly 100 Eateries Named for £10m in Unpaid Tax

Posted by Emily on 21st Jul 2025       Reading Time:

HMRC has intensified its efforts to combat tax evasion within the hospitality sector by naming and shaming 98 restaurant and takeaway businesses for failing to pay a combined total of £10.4 mill … read more

Is the Nanny State Squeezing the Life Out of UK Restaurants?

Posted by Emma on 19th Jul 2025       Reading Time:

Henry Birts, Chief Executive of Wasabi, has voiced serious concerns over what he sees as the escalating burden of government intervention in the UK’s restaurant trade. In comments made to T … read more

Early Promise, Patchy Yields: Inside the 2025 UK Wheat Harvest

Posted by Emma on 19th Jul 2025       Reading Time:

As the 2025 UK wheat harvest gets underway, there’s optimism in the air—at least in some corners of the country. With combines rolling in earlier than at any time since 2006, the season ha … read more

After a Decade of Investment, Shake Shack UK Turns the Corner

Posted by Emma on 19th Jul 2025       Reading Time:

Shake Shack’s United Kingdom operations have crossed a long-awaited threshold, posting their first profit before tax since the brand entered the market in 2013. Diverse Dining, the UK operator o … read more

Principal Cafe Perfects The Ultimate Batter With Ceres

Posted by Emma on 19th Jul 2025       Reading Time:

Just a few miles from where Eddie Thomson first learned his trade is The Principal Cafe, the fish and chips takeaway he took over just two years ago. Situated in the small town of Galston, near Kilmar … read more

Weight Loss Drugs: Threat or Opportunity?

Posted by Stelios on 17th Jul 2025       Reading Time:

What looks like a threat is usually an opportunity in disguise—provided you're willing to look past the risk. That mindset shapes how I view the surge of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs such as Oze … read more

Taxed Out: How Policy Shifts Are Gutting Hospitality Jobs in the UK

Posted by Emily on 17th Jul 2025       Reading Time:

New figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) confirm a grim reality for one of Britain’s cornerstone industries: hospitality has lost 84,000 jobs since the October 2024 Budget, … read more

Bespoke Batter Betters Processes at Pisces

Posted by Emma on 11th Jul 2025       Reading Time:

Cos Michael has operated multiple fish and chip shops across Manchester and Liverpool. With a diverse range of locations, customer preferences, and shop styles - some he has owned and operated, others … read more

Episode 221 – Fish, Chips & Change: A Belfast Restaurateur’s Journey Through Recession and Reinvention

Posted by Emily on 11th Jul 2025       Reading Time:

In the latest episode of The Ceres Podcast, host Stelios Theocharous sits down with John Lavery, co-owner of Fish City in Belfast, for a powerful, reflective conversation about resilience, entrepreneu … read more

UK Government U-Turns on HFSS Promotions

Posted by Emily on 11th Jul 2025       Reading Time:

The UK government has announced plans to scrap key elements of its controversial policy on restricting the promotion of foods high in fat, sugar, and salt (HFSS). Under Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer … read more

Episode 220: From Toilet Block to Top Chippy—The Scrap Box Growth Blueprint

Posted by Emma on 11th Jul 2025       Reading Time:

Nine years ago, brothers Aman and Gav Dhesi unlocked the door to a derelict public toilet on a busy A-road outside York and saw a possibility where everyone else saw plumbing repairs. &ldquo … read more

Leading Through the Crisis: The Battle for Talent in Hospitality

Posted by Cos Michael on 10th Jul 2025       Reading Time:

Welcome to this edition of Trade Talks, where we bring you insights straight from the fryers of the fish and chip industry. In this column, Cos Michael, Owner of Pisces in Heswall, shares hi … read more

Deep Blue Shifts Strategy: Nine Sites Sold to Refocus on Harry Ramsden’s

Posted by Emily on 8th Jul 2025       Reading Time:

In a bold move to reposition its business for long-term growth, Deep Blue Restaurants—Britain’s largest operator of fish and chip outlets—has sold off nine of its Deep Blue-branded r … read more