Today’s news in brief – 26/04/24

Loungers revenues rose 24.7% to £353.5m during FY24. During the year to 21 April, the group’s sales performance was accompanied by “disciplined management of costs” and a continued easing of inflationary cost pressures. Loungers also opened 36 new sites, a record number compared to the 29 opened in FY23. 

At-home sales for the top managed restaurant groups were “virtually flat” in March, according to CGA by NIQ’s latest Hospitality at Home Tracker. This was a 10th consecutive month of year-on-year growth, but down on the figures of 4% and 3% in January and February 2024, respectively. Deliveries accounted for 11% in every pound spent with restaurant groups in March.

The Institute of Hospitality has appointed Martin Traynor OBE FIH, to its board of trustees as a non-executive director. The appointment comes as a direct result of feedback from His Majesty’s Most Honourable Privy Council that the work of the institute is not widely known across the government and for its Chartered Status application.

Heavenly Desserts will open its latest restaurant in Milton Keynes on Saturday 27 April. Located at the MK1 Shopping and Leisure Park, the new restaurant has a capacity for 76 guests spread over two floors. The retail park also offers free parking for four hours outside the restaurant and sits just opposite Stadium MK.