As we wave goodbye to a January in lockdown with its dark mornings, cold days and the Groundhog Day challenges for many of home schooling, home working, home cooking…. there seems to be many reasons for optimism as we move into February and here are just a few we thought are worth shouting about…
- Exciting new concepts are being launched or in the pipeline- Jail Break Chicken by TGI Fridays, Lime Squeezy Thai Kitchen by Giggling Squid, Soul Ride from House Café Company, Sumi from Novators Hospitality, House of Fu by Rose Thirteen to name a few.
- Lots of operators are grabbing the opportunity to grow their estate- Oakman Inns, Brewdog, Ole & Steen, Thunderbird Fried Chicken, Rosa’s Thai Café, Vinoteca, Blue Lagoon, Fat Twins, Bao, Toast, Elite Pubs, Rustico Italiano, French 75, Hot Stone, Jollibee- the list goes on…!
- The industry is primed for major investment from a number of sector heavyweights- Hawthorn has put aside £250m for acquisitions within its community pub sector, Wolt have raised £357m for its food delivery platform, Rooney Anand plans to invest £200m in the pub sector
- Delivery goes from strength to strength with reach being extended further into the suburbs for customers missing out on their fix of wagamama, Nando’s, Giggling Squid and the like with predictions that 85% of customers are likely to order with the same or higher frequency than previously
- The increasing popularity of ‘Dine at Home’ kits of restaurant quality food, requiring minimal effort or chefing skills, are providing an essential financial lifeline to our much-loved favourites- here’s hoping for bumper orders from those looking to celebrate Valentine’s Day at home this year
- The 2021 Michelin Guide for GB and Ireland was unveiled with many stars retained, gained and 17 restaurants newly awarded a star as well as 23 green stars for the new sustainability distinction. Well done each and every one of you!
Here at Ten Kites we are humbled to be part of such an innovative, passionate and creative industry that is so determined to not only survive but come back stronger than before.
There are still significant hurdles to overcome and lots of questions to be answered- when will the sector be given the green light to reopen? What restrictions will remain in place? Will the rent moratorium, VAT reduction and business rates reduction be extended? Will the Job Retention scheme be extended?
However, the recent admissions that hospitality has never been found to be a significant factor in covid transmission-including during the Eat Out to Help Out scheme- or that the curfew had no scientific proof behind it together with transmission rates tumbling and 1 in 8 UK adults now having received their first vaccine dose, there is light at the end of the tunnel and we are excited to see what each new day brings.
If you would like to talk to us and see how we can help you drop us an email at info@tenkites.com