UK foodservice growth is increasingly driven by differentiation, according to Lumina Intelligence’s latest Operator Data Index.

June has proven to be the best month of 2026 for pubs, with a 1.9% increase in like-for-like, year-on-year sales, reveals the latest NIQ RSM Hospitality Business Tracker. Rising temperatures and the influx of World Cup fans across the country have supported this growth.

Plans by the EU to suspend Brazilian beef and poultry imports from 3 September 2026, linked to Brazil’s inability to demonstrate compliance with EU antimicrobial controls and lifetime traceability rules, could impact the UK if they go ahead. 

Italian Beverage Company (IBC Simply) has rebranded as Bold Foods as part of a ‘bold’ mission to be a one-stop concept-to-creation business, supplying the UK food and drink industry and beyond.

AI-powered B2B ordering platform mezzeIQ has secured a new partnership with UK food to go manufacturer Sandwich King, as the Leeds-based business looks to streamline operations and support further growth.

Almost three-quarters (74%) of UK consumers are seeking new flavours when they eat out, according to Paulig PRO’s inaugural Taste the Future Flavour Trend Report. 

La Lorraine Bakery Group has expanded its sweet bakery portfolio with the launch of several premium pastries and cookies, developed to help foodservice operators capitalise on continued demand for indulgent dessert options across multiple channels.

Pret A Manger has reported a strong start to the year, with system sales growth of 7% (8% in the UK) for the first four months, supported by rising customer counts and continued estate expansion.

Paranova Print and Packaging open their new and improved operation after a landmark £5 million transformation.

With BBQ one of the strongest and most in‑demand flavour profiles on menus, Paulig PRO launches The World of BBQ, a bold new Santa Maria range bringing authentic global barbecue flavours straight to UK foodservice.

Jacket potato creators, SpudBros, have officially launched their latest Express store in Wyberton. The opening forms part of an ambitious plan to roll out 30 new roadside locations over the next three years.

Carpigiani has added the Friulinox Combi Ice – an all-in-one refrigeration system perfect for ice cream shops and pastry laboratories – to its portfolio of industry-leading professional equipment. 

KFC UK & Ireland and its franchise partner FPG Foods (FPG) have announced an agreement to accelerate FPG’s growth ambitions in the dynamic UK and Ireland chicken market. FPG is acquiring 17 KFC restaurants across London and the South of England, doubling the size of its UK business and committing to increasing its estate to 50 restaurants by 2030.

Convotherm has launched a range of large-capacity, floor-standing combi ovens for UK foodservice operators looking to increase output, control costs and manage pressure on space and labour.

Greggs has opened its fourth ‘Bitesize’ shop, located in London Bridge Station. The smaller format enables the company to offer a range of products to more customers in high-footfall, prime locations which are constrained by space.

A new player has entered the UK snacking market with the launch of Canny Snacks – backed by soft drinks manufacturer, Radnor Hills.

UK foodservice wholesaler Brakes, has launched a major new promotion offering more than £100,000 worth of prizes to its mybrakes rewards members.

Pulp Ultra® is a moulded fibre packaging solution which is free from intentionally added PFAS.

European bakery products manufacturer Baker & Baker has unveiled a comprehensive rebrand of its premium Black Label range.

Maki & Ramen is set to open its first bricks-and-mortar London restaurant in Soho on 6th March 2026.