McDonald’s and KFC score highest in the sector on simplicity index: McDonald’s and KFC have been placed fourth and fifth in a list of the 92 ‘simplest’ global brands, according to the “2013 Global Brand Simplicity Index” from … view

Eclectic eyes flotation; first bar company float since 2007: Late-night operator Eclectic, led by Reuben Harley, is looking at an Alternative Investment Market (AIM) float, the first bar business to float since 2007. The company wants to … view

Papa John’s makes first UK profit since 2006: Pizza delivery business Papa John’s has made its first profit in the UK since 2006. The company saw turnover increase to £28,415,000 in 2012 from £22,943,000 the year before. Pre-tax pro … view

Nick Miller attacks beer industry failures over three decades: Nick Miller, the former chief executive of Miller Brands UK and current head of the London-based Meantime brewery, has attacked the beer industry for being “generally neglig … view

Deutsche Bank – Whitbread shares could have 85% upside: Deutsche Bank analyst Geof Collyer has suggested that Whitbread shares could rise to 85% more than their current value under chief executive Andy Harrison’s growth plan. He said: … view

Restaurant company owners accused of tax avoidance: The Independent newspaper has accused a host of restaurant companies of using the controversial Eurobonds scheme to reduce tax. The newspaper has claimed Nando’s, Tragus, Pret A Manger … view

Spirit reports like-for-likes up 1.6% in full year; launches reschedule of debt plan: Spirit Pub Company has reported like-for-like sales rose 1.6% in its managed estate in the 52 weeks to 17 August with average weekly takings now £17,30 … view

Starbucks hires new UK managing director: Coffee company Starbucks has hired Mark Fox as UK managing director, starting work on 6 January. Fox has over 20 years of retail operations and franchise experience, and is currently managing dire … view

Marco Pierre White – I’m looking to add more Wheeler’s Inns after first hotel: Celebrity chef turned restaurant entrepreneur Marco Pierre White has told Propel he is looking for more Wheeler’s sites as he opened his tenth last wee … view

AMT Coffee reports 5.3% rise in like-for-likes in 2012: < … view

City Pub Company buys 30-bedroom hotel, plans £10m fund-raising: City Pub Company, the Enterprise Investment Scheme company led by Clive Watson, has acquired the 30-bedroom Georgian House Hotel in Norwich in an off-market deal. The purch … view

Mezze begins private equity talks as it eyes roll-out: Mezze, the six-strong West Country operator led by Alex Tryfonos and now turning over £7m a year, has begun talks with potential private equity backers as it plans the next stage of … view

Coffer Peach – pub and restaurant like-for-likes sales up 0.4% in September: Britain’s pub and restaurant groups saw sales growth slow in September after a summer of solid trading. Collective like-for-like sales grew just 0.4% compare … view

Two Living Room sites to be converted to Stonegate brands: Two of the portfolio of 13 Living Rooms sites acquired by Stonegate Pub Company in mid-August are to be converted to Stonegate’s existing brands. The Living Room at The Hub in … view

Hospitality firms told to beware of the costs of ‘pinches’ and ‘dashes’: Restaurants need to be wary of imprecise measurements in recipes such as ‘pinch’, ‘dash’, ‘drop’ and ‘glob’ that can throw out costings, dele … view

Murray Roberts becomes managing director of Beds and Bars: Murray Roberts has been promoted to managing director of pan-European hostel provider Beds and Bars. He will be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the business, reporting … view

Hospitality tips rise 2.1%: Tips in the UK hospitality industry are up 2.1% year on year, according to the management solutions software provider Fourth, at a time when wages in the hospitality industry rose 3.1% on average and the rate o … view

No Saints’ bid to re-open Birmingham Oceana blocked: A bid by No Saints, the company headed by nightclub veteran Stephen Thomas, to re-open the former Oceana in Birmingham as a Wonderland venue has failed. It is understood that No Saint … view

Graham Turner becomes executive chairman at Novus: Former Tragus chief executive Graham Turner – and current non-executive chairman of The Liberation Group – has become executive chairman of London bar and restaurant operator Novus wi … view

Orchid Pub Company reports 4.7% sales uplift on Grandparent’s Day: Orchid Pub Company has reported that sales rose by 4.7% on Grandparent’s Day (6 October) after the company put a concerted effort into marketing the day. Orchid commer … view

Carlsberg UK reports market share gains: Carlsberg UK has reported that its share of the UK beer market increased from 15% to 15.4% in 2012 driven by a “notable increase in the on-trade”. The company stated: “The quality of our cust … view

Gondola sales rise by 4.2% to £604.2m: PizzaExpress operator Gondola Group, the 680-strong company owned by private equity firm Cinven, has reported sales rose by 4.2% to £604.2m in the 12 months to 1 July. Underlying earnings climbed b … view