Show Notes

• Casual Dining chains top customer satisfaction poll: "independent restaurants have seen a 1.4bn fall in visitors since 2009, chains have gained 900m visits." That's a frightening statistic for indies.

• *On the other hand*... demonstrations are planned for outside Pizza Express. Here's a list of restaurants that charge their staff for administering tips paid by card. That's a great opportunity for indies.

• Reported in Brand Republic this week: Living wage could leave retailers' profits 'vulnerable' and result in fewer staff. Hmmm..

• *On the other hand* - those potential employees could go work for Aldi who are planning to roll out 130 new stores and create 8000 new jobs. 

• Starbucks Profit Jumps 22% for the quarter ending June 28th. Those margins are just off the charts thanks to a savvy use of new technologies.

• Meanwhile it's back-to-basics for McDonald's as they trial table service as part of a major overhaul. 

• Oxford Brookes University alumnus @JackCohn is bringing a Fish and Chip pop-up called Notting Gill Chippy to Kensington Place (or 'Plaice' perhaps?). Opening only for August, this does look fun.

• If you like food, you'll love these: Photos of Various Food Dishes Flying Through the Air. And check out Piotr Gregorczyk's full portfolio. AMAZEBALLS.

Campaign: Save the Food Tech A-level

Food Teachers are campaigning to save the Food Technology A-Level. This looks like another half-cocked decision that should be reconsidered. You can support their campaign on Twitter @FoodTCentre and use the hashtag #savefoodtechAlevel.

You can read the consultation paper here (Food tech on page 17) & respond before 24 September 2015.

Get in touch: 

• Let me know by email if you have any events or latest news worth sharing.

• Why not have your say on the topics discussed with a comment below.