UKHospitality names best late-night operators: UKHospitality has announced the winners of the 2019 Dusk ’til Dawn Late Night Awards, held in association with Propel. The winners were announced at a gala ceremony at the Troxy, London, last night (Wednesday, 16 October), with UKHospitality recognising the diversity of the UK’s innovative bar and late-night sector across eight categories. The winners were Best Late Night Food: The Alchemist; Best Late Night Drinks: Dirty Martini; Best Late Night Entertainment: The Deltic Group; Best Service & Team Development: New World Trading Company; Best Marketing & Promotions: Stonegate Pub Company; Best Late Night Bar: Belushi’s, Camden; Best Late Night Club: Eden; Best Late Night Company: DHP Family. The Icon award recognising outstanding contribution to the sector was given to Stonegate Pub Company chairman Ian Payne. UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls said: “Dusk ’til Dawn is about recognising and celebrating the best the UK’s night-time economy has to offer. This is a sector that has undergone dynamic change to reinvent itself during the past decade. Our awards recognise every facet of a great, modern, late-night experience and our winners are the best in a very competitive sector. Congratulations to all the winners in what was a very hard-fought competition with a record number of entries and thank you to my fellow judges, who gave up their time to review and assess the entries. A special thanks also needs to go to this year’s Icon Award recipient, Ian Payne. He has been a long-standing and hard-working champion of the sector and deserves to be recognised and praised. He is truly a legend of the late-night sector with a dedication to, and passion for, late-night hospitality that is without equal.”

Domino’s reports UK like-for-likes up 3.0%, exiting international markets: Domino’s Pizza has reported UK like-for-like sales, excluding splits, rose 3.0% in the 13 weeks to 30 September while it intends to exit four of its international markets “in an orderly manner”. The company said normal working practices “continue to be impacted by our franchisee dispute”. Group system sales were up 3.4% to £313.5m, with UK system sales increasing 3.9%. It now has 1,172 stores in the UK and Ireland – nine stores opened in the UK in the period. A total of 16 stores have opened in the UK in the current financial year while there has been one planned closure.

Online sales in the UK during the third quarter were up 7.2% and represented 80.8% of total sales during the period. The company said the search process for the new chief executive continues and the process for the new chairman, led by Ian Bull, had commenced, with recruiters appointed. The company said it intends both processes are progressed as quickly as possible. Elias Diaz Sese, previously Northern Europe managing director at Kraft Heinz, has been appointed as an additional non-executive director. Chief executive David Wild said: “We delivered a solid performance in our core UK and Ireland markets, with system sales up 3.9%, against a market backdrop that remains challenging. Normal working practices continue to be impacted by our franchisee dispute. As we said at our interim results, this situation is complex and we expect a resolution to take time, certainly into 2020. We remain committed to working with our franchisees to agree sustainable win-win solutions. We are investing in people and processes to enable us to better support our franchisees. A key hire for our business is Emily Somers, who joined us as chief marketing officer in August, and I am delighted to have her as part of the team. Although the financial results have stabilised, the performance of our international business remains disappointing. Over the past six weeks we have completed a review with external consultants, assessing each of our four international markets and the future prospects for our businesses. We have concluded that, while they represent attractive markets, we are not the best owners of these businesses. The board has therefore decided to exit the markets in an orderly manner.” Republic of Ireland system sales grew 2.4% in local currency, with like-for-like sales, excluding stores in split territories, down 0.7%. The company opened three stores in the country during the period. In its international markets, Switzerland saw local currency system sales fall 2.9%, with like-for-likes down 6.6%. In Iceland, local currency system sales were down 1.0%, and like-for-like sales dropped 8.2%. There was one planned store closure. In Norway, system sales were down 0.3% in local currency, with like-for-likes in Domino's branded stores dropping 16.5%. During the quarter, the company implemented a turnaround plan in Norway. However, early signs have been mixed and sales uplifts weaker than anticipated. In Sweden, tem sales increased 25% in local currency, with like-for-like sales up 1.0%. Domino's described the trading performance of its German associate as “encouraging”.

Barburrito debuts self-service kiosks as it opens at Gatwick: Mexican brand Barburrito, which is backed by the BGF, has introduced self-service kiosks for the first time – at its new site at Gatwick airport. Barburrito has opened the outlet in partnership with The Restaurant Group (TRG) Concessions and follows sites at Bristol and Edinburgh airports. Barburrito has launched in the former Shake-A-Hula unit in Gatwick’s North Terminal. Founded by chief executive Morgan Davies, Barburrito opened its debut site in Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester, in 2005 and now has 22 stores in 11 cities. Barburitto is the seventh TRG site operating at Gatwick, which will soon become eight when Shake Shack opens later this month. Nick Ayerst, managing director of TRG Concessions, said: “Barburrito is a great brand to add to Gatwick’s portfolio and will resonate with passengers and provide great grab-and-go and sit-down options.” Davies added: “We are excited to build on our relationship with TRG Concessions.” Michael McArthur, food and beverage business development manager at Gatwick, said: “North Terminal is going through a significant period of transition and the opening of Barburrito is an exciting milestone. It has been great working with TRG to bring this innovative restaurant concept to life. Barburrito succeeds in offering something new for our passengers.”

Big Mamma Group eyes Covent Garden opening: Big Mamma Group, the Paris-based restaurant business, is planning a third opening in London, in Covent Garden. According to Eater London, the company has submitted plans to merge 29-30 Maiden Lane and 15 Henrietta Street to open a new restaurant. It would take over cocktail bar Mabel’s and men’s clothing store The Real McCoy’s, if plans were approved. Big Mamma, which currently operates Gloria in Shoreditch and Circolo Popolare in Fitzrovia, intends the combined sites to house 227 diners.

Sumosan secures restaurant at French ski resort: Japanese dining group Sumosan is to extend its international presence with a new restaurant and bar at Six Senses Residences Courchevel, the alpine ski resort and spa in France owned by Cain International and Promocour 1850. Sumosan was founded in 1997 in Moscow, and became a huge success following its 2002 launch in London. It also has restaurants in Monaco, Montenegro, Berlin, and Dubai. The brand is known for for its sushi, sashimi, and innovative menu of Japanese cuisine. Sumosan Courchevel will open in December after securing the deal with Cain International and Promocour 1850 through agent Shelley Sandzer. Jonathan Goldstein, chief executive of Cain International, said: “We approached Shelley Sandzer to help us provide something unique at Courchevel because of its extensive knowledge of the fast-paced London dining scene, combined with an international outlook. It brought Sumosan to us and we are delighted to have secured such a highly regarded, innovative brand for Six Senses Residences Courchevel.”