Today’s news in brief – 06/06/24
Popeyes UK has launched the first AI powered drive-thru, following a successful trial in Northampton. This launch has made Popeyes the first quick service restaurant chain in the country to leverage AI at drive-thru ordering. The group also has plans to expand AI to all other current drive-thru sites by July this year. It comes after Popeyes announced plans to double its estate in 2024 and generate 2,000 jobs.
UKH makes an election toolkit available for operators, which offers the opportunity for businesses to invite parliamentary candidates in their constituency to their venue to “impress upon them the importance of the sector”. This launch is part of the trade body’s pre-election campaigning, which started at last year’s summer conference.
Danish steakhouse KöD will open its second site in Soho, London, following the brand’s first London site, KöD City, in Devonshire Square last year. The brand is led by founding partner Morten P. Ortwed who founded the brand alongside five friends in 2014. The kitchen operations for all UK KöD restaurants are led by James Durrant who previously worked for Gordon Ramsay Holdings and The Stafford Hotel.
Chef Jackson Boxer and The Experimental Group will launch Henri on the ground floor of hotel Henrietta Experimental in Covent Garden, following the success of the team’s recent collaboration at Cowley Manor Experimental in the Cotswolds. The ongoing partnership combines Boxer’s experience crafting London restaurants with that of Experimental Group leaders Xavier Padovani, Olivier Bon, Pierre-Charles Cros and Romée de Goriainoff.
