Contract catering is a term that those working in the sector will be familiar with, but for many outside it – even those in hospitality – there is a lack of clarity about what ‘contract catering’ actually means and the kind of services it provides.
Contract catering is a multi-faceted sector, providing catering services to a whole host of organisations and businesses – from schools and hospitals to workplaces, museums and sports arenas - so the challenges it faces are varied and wide.
In order to identify its challenges, it is, therefore, helpful to the first outline precisely what contract catering is.
- Topic:
- Hospitality
The rise of takeaway and delivery services
Restaurant takeaways have become a traditional part of British life since they became popular during the 1950’s when people started to enjoy a meal prepared for them, in front of the TV. Deliveries followed and the typical fare of pizza after a long day at work, a kebab on the way home from a night out, Chinese or Indian banquet treats at the weekend started to expand to a wider range of options. After dropping in, or phoning ahead, for a takeaway or delivery became commonplace, the market was set to be revolutionised by the introduction of what is believed to be the world’s first online app, World Wide Waiter, in the USA in the mid 1990’s.
- Topic:
- Hospitality
Market-leading P2P solution to roll out to 40 new hotels in the group
Bespoke Hotels, the UK's largest independent hotel group, has chosen sector technology experts Access Hospitality to supply “Access Procure Wizard” to manage its procurement, following a competitive tender process. The Purchase to Pay (P2P) solution will be implemented across a parcel of 40 hotels recently added to the Bespoke Hotel managed portfolio.
- Topic:
- Hospitality
Since December 2014 restaurants, and other foodservice businesses, have been required by law to provide information on 14 allergens that appear in ingredients used in the dishes they serve.
- Topic:
- Hospitality
Many people have been working from home since March, and with no sign for many to return to the office, they have found pubs, bars and cafes as a welcome escape to the familiar four walls of their home office.
For workers it is a great opportunity to get the creative juices flowing, meet up with a colleague to discuss the latest project or even just get out of the house for the day and into a new environment. For the venue, it is a great way to make up for lost revenue after months of uncertainty and closures.
- Topic:
- Hospitality
The hospitality sector has been undergoing a technical revolution over recent years. While the till used to be simply a way of handling transactions, it now has the potential to be the beating heart of a business, helping operators implement cost reduction strategies for restaurants and boost the all-important bottom line.
- Topic:
- Hospitality
After a recent steady rise in COVID-19 cases and an anticipated spike in the winter months, the Government announced that from Monday 14th September, any social gatherings in England over six people, will become illegal. Anyone caught breaking this, could be fined £100, rising to £3,200 for repeat offenders.
While there have been exemptions to the ‘rule of six’ such as work, team sports, schools, weddings and funerals, hospitality venues will be unable to have a single group exceeding six people, either indoors or outdoor dining. The Prime Minister also announced on Wednesday that they will be tightening the track and trace rules, making it mandatory to take all customer details in England. This means that England will now follow Northern Ireland and Scotland, where it became mandatory for venues to take details last month.
- Topic:
- Hospitality
Boparan Restaurant Group is a growing family
It’s a collection of restaurant brands, every one with its own personality, but each sharing a passion for creating contemporary food and drink experiences that make people happy
- Topic:
- Hospitality
Access Collins, an Access Group company, and part of one of the UK’s leading reservation and enquiry management systems, has announced an exclusive and strategic bookings partnership with pub finding website and app, MatchPint. The partnership brings together two of the biggest names in on-trade at a crucial time for the hospitality industry.
- Topic:
- Hospitality
After three months of enforced closure to help stop the spread of Coronavirus COVID-19, pubs, bars, restaurants and hotels, have been given the green light by the Government to re-open in July.
This is welcome news for hospitality businesses who can bring valued staff back to work, serve customers and – crucially – make some money again.
However, restrictions around the way restaurants, pubs and hotels are permitted to operate, means the prospect of trading again may also be a daunting one, particularly for independent hospitality businesses.
- Topic:
- Hospitality
