Today’s news in brief – 04/03/24

Foodservice price inflation decreased to 12.6% in January, according to new figures by the CGA Prestige Foodservice Price Index. It stated that the figures male up the seventh successive month-on-month fall in inflation as markets adjust to falling commodity pricing.

Papa Johns will be closing 50 takeaways across the UK due to underperformance. The pizza chain, which runs more than 450 UK sites, has stated that the sites signposted for closure had accounted for two thirds of its Q4 operating losses in the UK. Alongside this, the company also brought 118 venues into company ownership.

Coffee#1 saw H1 sales rise 18.8% to £29.6m, as the group’s like-for-like sales remained robust underpinned by sustained customer growth. During H1, the coffee shop chain opened four new stores in Godalming, Chesterfield, Yate and Cwmbran, taking its store estate to 118 stores and making it the fourth largest coffee shop brand in the UK. 

Social Pantry will be the exclusive catering partner of London’s Tower Bridge. Founded by Alexandra Head in 2011, Social Pantry will work in tandem with the venue and clients to produce bespoke events and menus from canapés and cocktails to “innovative” food and drink stations.