Consumers increasingly opting for premium drinks, young adults driving shift: Increasing numbers of British consumers are choosing premium drinks when they go out, new research from CGA has revealed, leading to a surge in sales of craft and luxury spirits and beers. The Going Premium report showed more than two in five (43%) consumers now choose high-quality drinks or said they are likely to upgrade to one when drinking out of home. The figure rises to more than half (54%) among 18 to 34-year-olds, which CGA said suggested young adults are driving the shift towards premium drinks brands. CGA’s analysis of the trend revealed an increase in sales of spirits that are classified as “super-premium”, with volumes up by nearly 12% in the year to June. The research showed small-batch, artisan-style spirits, especially gins, have hugely increased their appeal recently – and demand for premium mixers to drink with them is rising too. A similar trend is apparent in beer, where craft volumes increased by 14.5% in the year to June. CGA said the findings emphasised the huge value of premium drinkers to pub, bar and restaurant operators. Consumers who drink premium brands tend to spend much more on eating and drinking out than their non-premium counterparts, averaging £116 and £92 a month respectively. CGA chief executive Phil Tate said: “The shift towards premium brands has been one of the most fascinating trends in drinking out in recent years. This report casts new light on the factors behind premiumisation and its consequences, and has some vital insights into the soaring appeal of luxury brands in particular. Operators will need to stay right on top of drinking trends like these if they are to generate spend and loyalty in this ultra-competitive market.”

Bonnie Gull embarks on £200,000 crowdfunding campaign to support expansion and launch of new grab-and-go concept: British seaside restaurant concept Bonnie Gull has embarked on a £200,000 fund-raise on crowdfunding platform Crowdcube to support its expansion plans and launch new grab-and-go concept Salt ‘n’ Sauce. The company, founded by Alex Hunter and Danny Clancy in 2011, is offering a 11.11% equity stake in return for the investment. It currently operates restaurants in Fitzrovia and Soho and is launching Salt ‘n’ Sauce next year with the first venue secured at the Westgate Centre in Oxford and a UK roll-out planned. Bonnie Gull's Fitzrovia restaurant reported a profit of £157,000 for the year ending May 2017 while its Soho site opened in December last year. The pitch states: “Bonnie Gull restaurants aim to achieve a 70% gross profit across food and drink. Salt ‘n’ Sauce will fix the price of key products with suppliers and aims to operate with a 75% gross profit. The model is based on grab-and-go/delivery sites, primarily outside London, with low capex and low overheads to provide a platform for fast potential expansion. The funds will be used for investment in Salt ‘n’ Sauce to launch the first site in Oxford, refit and improve existing Bonnie Gull restaurants, and development of the brand and team. Further Bonnie Gull restaurants are also planned. The company has been funded privately up to this point and the founders have made personal contributions. Shareholder and other loans exist. (In terms of an exit), an initial public offering or trade sale will potentially be sought after the group reaches five to seven sites. An exit in three to five years is anticipated.

Frankie & Benny’s offering 50% off mains and free themed cocktail for bonfire weekend: The Restaurant Group brand Frankie & Benny’s is offering 50% off mains plus a free themed cocktail in a special bonfire weekend promotion. The offer, which is available until Sunday (5 November), has three cocktails for diners to choose from – toffee apple (apple juice and salted caramel syrup), choc orange spark (Southern Comfort and orange juice topped with chocolate syrup and Fizz Whizz popping candy), and caramel apple mule (Eristoff vodka, ginger beer and apple juice topped with caramel syrup and a slice of apple). The 50% off mains promotion will run until Sunday, 12 November. Meanwhile, customers who download the Frankie & Benny’s app are being offered £10 off their next visit. The Restaurant Group launched a new Frankie & Benny’s menu earlier this year as part of its plans to turn the brand around. The new menu saw a cut in prices as well as a reduction in the number of dishes. The number of mains priced at less than £10 was increased from five to 22.