Today’s news in brief – 21/02/25

Contract caterers saw their sales rise by 12% year-on-year in Q4 of 2024, following increases of 7%, 10% and 7% in the first three quarters. This means that caterers have now upped their sales year-on-year in every quarter since mid-2021 when venues were reopening after Covid restrictions. Monthly breakdowns showed that growth peaked in December, as organisations and people turned to caterers for Christmas celebrations.

Young’s Pubs has promoted Kara Alderin to interim chief operating officer. Since joining the pub group as director of operations in July 2020, Alderin has been credited with making an “incredible” impact by leading the transformation of Young’s pubs and bedrooms division. She brings a wealth of experience from her more than 30 years of industry experience. Prior to Young’s, Alderin worked as managing director at Abocado. 

Drinks sales in managed venues were level year-on-year for the seven days to 1 February. However, drinks sales did see growth of 2% on both Friday 31 January and Saturday 1 February as those dates coincided with the start of the Six Nations rugby tournament and some big football matches. Despite this, sales slipped by 2% in the following week to 8 February, as cold weather kept some consumers at home. 

Popeyes UK will be opening a new site in Edinburgh this spring. Located on Princes Street, the all-new Popeyes will be the brand’s third restaurant opening in Scotland this year and the seventh in the country overall. The new restaurant will open with the full Popeyes menu, and will also serve up its breakfast menu from 8am to 11am. News of the opening is part of the group’s plans to open more than 45 restaurants in the UK throughout 2025.