Domino’s unveils new pizza range to take on restaurant rivals, directors’ pay backlash: Domino’s is poised to launch a new range of thinner-crust, Italian-inspired pizzas, aiming to tap into the more premium end of the takeaway market and attract a wider customer base. The business indicated this strategic shift responds to growing consumer demand for a "restaurant experience at home." The Independent reports that the forthcoming "Italiano's" collection will feature five distinct pizzas, distinguished by their lighter base and sophisticated Italian-inspired toppings, including nduja, goat’s cheese, and a pesto drizzle. Domino’s believes this new style of pizza will cater to the increasing trend for elevated at-home dining occasions. Chief executive Nicola Frampton said: “We’re seeing that for certain occasions, whether that’s a date night or a relaxed evening in, people are increasingly looking for something that feels a bit more like a restaurant experience at home, and this range allows us to tap into those moments.” Frampton said the Italiano’s range was a “strong example of how we’re continuing to evolve and broaden our pizza offering, attract new customers and unlock new occasions for growth”. It comes as the business is facing a backlash from investors over plans to overhaul its bosses' pay packages. Sky News reports that the company, which recently shelved plans to acquire another brand after seeing a slump in profits, is braced for a sizable protest vote at its annual meeting later this month. Domino's is proposing a three-year remuneration policy that will introduce a hybrid long-term share plan, which could pay chief executive Frampton up to 175% of her annual salary. Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS), the influential proxy adviser, has told investors that Domino's plans are "complex" and "outside typical market practice" because they give the board the flexibility to vary the balance of performance-based and retention-based stock awards each year. "Concerns also arise from the introduction of quasi-guaranteed restricted share awards at a time of depressed share price, leading to concerns over so-called windfall gains," ISS, which is recommending that investors vote against the proposed pay policy, said.

 

Greggs reports strong progress against sustainability targets: Greggs has reported strong progress in its 2025 Sustainability Report, The Greggs Pledge, which reflects on the significant progress to date against the targets established in 2021 and sets out the evolution of its commitments to 2030. The company said it helped to build stronger, healthier communities in 2025 by supporting more than 1,000 school Breakfast Clubs, feeding over 79,500 children every school day. It reduced food waste by 40% against its 2018 baseline and increased the proportion of unsold food redistributed to 45%, maintaining over 30% of the items on its shelves and 40% of all new products as healthier choices. It also opened 45 Greggs Outlet shops to provide affordable food in areas where they are needed most. At the same time, it said it had reduced emissions intensity by 56% since 2019 and ensured 100% of Greggs own-brand packaging is fully recyclable, with the single exception of hot drink cups. It also opened two Eco-Shops and applyed successful elements to over 34% of its estate, and guaranteed that 97% of the electricity, 47% of the gas and 28% of the vehicle fuel it uses now comes from renewable sources. New commitments and priorities for 2026 include partnering with Nesta, the research and innovation foundation, to develop a method for measuring the healthiness of food sales, and to report performance against this measure and set a target to deliver improvement by the end 2030. Alongside this, Greggs said it will introduce a 'Fighting Food Waste' performance metric to its operational KPIs and will continue to open Greggs Outlets in line with its plan. In addition, Greggs is committed to reducing Scope 2 emissions as per its net zero trajectory, to reach net zero for Scope 2 emissions by the end of 2030. Roisin Currie, chief executive at Greggs, said: "I am very proud of what we have achieved since we created The Greggs Pledge, shining a spotlight on the sustainability areas where we felt we could drive the most meaningful change and deliver a measurable benefit. The next iteration of The Greggs Pledge allows us to keep adapting to an ever-changing and more complex world. However, our commitment to make the world a better place remains the same, and we pledge to continue to make the most positive impact on our communities and continue doing good."

 

Coppa Collective completes fourth premium pub with rooms acquisition: Coppa Collective, the Coppa Club and Noci operator formerly known as Various Eateries, has completed the acquisition of a fourth premium pub with rooms. Last month, the company completed the acquisition of Wild Thyme & Honey (Cotswolds), The Hare & Hounds (Berkshire) and The Stag on the River (Surrey) from Grosvenor Pubs and said completion of The Wellington Arms (Hampshire) remained subject to landlord consent in connection with the lease assignment process. The Wellington Arms has now completed, with the £11.25m deal for the four pubs allowing Coppa Collective to form a third operating brand, The Linwood Collection. A deal for a fifth pub remains ongoing. The company said: “Coppa Collective has completed the acquisition of The Wellington Arms (Hampshire), finalising the purchase of four sites from Grosvenor Pubs and Inns, which will operate as The Linwood Collection. The company also noted that the potential acquisition of The Queen's Head (Surrey) is still subject to an ongoing asset of community value process.” As previously reported, the four sites to be acquired generated aggregate revenue of approximately £10.5m in the 52 weeks ended 28 December 2025, with site-level Ebitda of approximately £1.5m. The acquired sites will continue to trade under their existing names and identities.

 

Which Wich secures new development agreement for London: US hot customisable sandwich brand WhichWich has secured a new development agreement for London. The company expanded into Wales in January with the opening of its first location at St David’s Shopping Centre in Cardiff. A second site, in Central Square, is set to open shortly, and further expansion is underway, with new cities including Bristol, Swansea and Glasgow in the pipeline. The company said: “Building on this momentum, Which Wich has now secured a new multi-unit agreement to open several locations across London. This latest deal will significantly enhance the brand’s presence and equity in the capital, reinforcing its position as a leading player in the fast-casual sandwich segment. The upcoming London openings will also capitalise on the brand’s rapidly growing catering business, which has seen increasing demand from corporate clients and large organisations across the city.” Rami Awada, UK master franchisee of Which Wich, added: “This is an exciting moment for Which Wich in the UK as we continue to build real momentum across multiple regions. From strong performances in London to our expansion into Wales and upcoming launches in Scotland and the south west, we’re seeing strong demand for a high-quality, customisable offer.” The agreement forms part of a broader UK growth strategy focused on developing regional clusters and securing prime sites in high footfall areas, including high streets, transport hubs and retail destinations.

Pubs already nearing capacity for England’s World Cup games: Football may or may not be coming home this summer but if you were hoping to watch England’s World Cup matches anywhere but at home, you may already be running out of time. The Times reports that many pubs and venues, particularly those with large outdoor spaces or fan zones, say tickets are selling fast despite England’s first match still being more than two months away. Thomas Tuchel’s team do not take on Croatia until Wednesday, June 17, but pubs say advance bookings to secure entry or prime seats in front of big screens are being snapped up much faster than for previous tournaments. Big Penny Social, a large beer hall with a big outdoor area in Walthamstow, east London, says it has only limited space left for England’s opening game, which kicks off at 9pm UK time. Faye Daniels, of the 1,400-capacity venue, which charges £12 per ticket, said: “We haven’t yet sold out, but we’re certainly seeing strong demand already. I’d always advise people to book early for big matches. For the Euros final in 2024 we sold out tickets in 28 seconds, with over 35,000 people on the waiting list.” Flat Iron Square, a large outdoor event space near London Bridge in central London, has already sold out for the Croatia game despite table seats, which include a free drink, costing up to £25. A message on its website directs disappointed fans to a waiting list. The venue has also sold out of its cheaper £10 entry tickets for England’s two other group games, against Ghana on June 23 and Panama on June 27, leaving only £15 general admission tickets and £25 table tickets left. In Wandsworth, south west London, The Ship, which has a large beer garden along the Thames, has also seen a surge in demand. Alex Downs, who works at the pub, said: “Bookings do seem to be coming in a lot earlier than we would have imagined, especially over the last two weeks or so. I think now that we’re through the bank holiday, everyone seems to be thinking about what’s coming this summer. We’ve got 300 booked in already for the Croatia game – it’s definitely looking like it will be crazy busy.” The strong demand is not confined to the capital either. Callum Taylor, manager of the White Horse in Coventry, said he had been surprised by the level of interest. “It’s been pretty popular. We’ve been much busier with bookings than the last tournament,” he said. “I think we’ll be full to the rafters.” It comes as the Home Office confirmed that pubs would be allowed to stay open later to show all England and Scotland matches. The tournament, being held across the US Mexico and Canada, will mean late evening kick-offs for UK viewers. England’s three group games start at either 9pm or 10pm. Shabana Mahmood, the home secretary, said pubs would be permitted to stay open an extra two hours, until 1am, for knockout matches kicking off between 5pm and 9pm. Later kick-offs, from 9pm up to and including 10pm, may push last orders back to 2am. “If our boys are on the pitch, we want our fans to stay in the pub,” she said. “We won’t have fans coming home before football does.”