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UK Consumers Rethink How, When and Where They Dine Out as Budgets Tighten, Popmenu Study Finds

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Consumers currently spend 25% of their monthly food budget on restaurants, but most are cutting backSkipping alcohol, dining early and choosing children’s meals for adults are among ways consumers are managing spend at restaurants64% are good with restaurants using AI to enhance service

LONDON, Sept. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Economic pressure on UK households hasn’t caused consumers to give up on eating out, but they are getting creative with how they make their money go further. Today, UK consumers spend a quarter of their monthly food budgets on restaurants. Most (69%) say they are spending less on restaurants than they did a year ago, using cost-saving tactics such as replacing entrees with appetisers, eating children’s meals, drinking tap water, and collecting takeaways over delivery.

This is according to a new report by Popmenu, a restaurant technology leader that serves over 12,000 restaurants globally. The report, based on a study of 600 UK consumers from 31 August to 3 September 2026, explores current dining behaviours, preferences and expectations for restaurants.

“Two-thirds of Brits still eat out or order in at least once a week,” said Brendan Sweeney, CEO and Co-founder of Popmenu. “They’re just more intentional about every pound spent. Affordability is top of mind along with easy guest experiences and loyalty incentives. Digital hospitality is just as important to them as in-person hospitality and they’re happy for AI to help with both.”

How are leaner budgets influencing dining habits?

Half of UK consumers are cutting back on dinners at restaurants while others are curbing spend for other dayparts:

51% – Dinner30% – Lunch30% – Late-night bites21% – Breakfast20% – Snack

When asked how they keep eating out affordable, consumers pointed to the following:

52% – Choosing restaurants with less expensive menu items37% – Cutting back on alcohol34% – Drinking tap water instead of paying for a drink30% – Collecting orders rather than paying for delivery13% – Ordering a starter instead of a main12% – Ordering a children’s meal for an adult

Quick service (ex: McDonald’s), fast casual (ex: Nando’s) and casual (ex: Wagamama) restaurants remain the most visited types of restaurants.

What do consumers want from restaurants?

According to the research, they expect restaurants to make their choice easy: show up in search results, share visuals and reviews of dishes, offer deals and direct ordering, and provide incentives to come back.

SEO and AEO are table stakes: 88% use Google and other search engines to find restaurants; 19% use AI tools such as ChatGPT. Restaurants that rank high are chosen more often.Visuals close the deal: 89% are more likely to choose a menu with photos and reviews; 3 in 4 want to see dish videos.Direct ordering is preferred: 93% order on their phones, and 78% would download a restaurant’s app—63% are less likely to order if they’re sent to a third-party site.Value drives spending: 64% prefer restaurants with inexpensive meal options and special deals; 66% will spend more if there’s a discount.A little VIP treatment goes a long way: 51% are more likely to choose restaurants with a loyalty programme; 75% are willing to join a restaurant’s mailing list and 47% want to hear from their favourite spots at least once a week.AI is enhancing hospitality: 60% are ok with restaurants using AI to provide better, faster service, from answering phones and taking orders to preparing and serving food.

Survey Methodology

Popmenu conducted an anonymous, nationwide survey of 600 consumers, ages 18 and older, from 31 August to 3 September 2026.

About Popmenu

As a leader in restaurant technology, Popmenu is on a mission to make profitable growth easy for all restaurants. Digital marketing, online ordering, and on-premise technologies headline a powerful product suite infused with artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and deep data on guest preferences. The company consolidates tools needed to engage guests, serving as a digital control center for more than 12,000 independent restaurants and hospitality groups in the UK, US, Canada and Mexico. For more information, visit popmenu.co.uk.

Media Contact
Jennifer Grasz
VP of Marketing, Popmenu
Jennifer.Grasz@popmenu.com

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Sophia Space and Redwire Team Up to Advance Orbital Data Center Infrastructure

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Companies sign MOU to explore collaboration on deployable structures, spacecraft integration and scalable architectures for in-orbit Artificial Intelligence and edge computing

LAS VEGAS, Sept. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Sophia Space and Redwire Corporation (NYSE: RDW), a global leader in aerospace and defense technology solutions, today announced they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to advance the development and deployment of scalable computing infrastructure in orbit, combining Sophia Space’s modular orbital compute architecture with Redwire’s extensive technology solutions in deployable space systems, solar power generation and distribution, heat management and rejection, spacecraft integration, avionics, and systems engineering.

Under the MOU, the companies will explore collaboration across near-term demonstration missions and longer-term orbital data center architectures. Sophia Space is developing a new class of computing infrastructure designed specifically for the space environment. Its modular TILE architecture integrates high-performance computing, solar power and passive radiative thermal management into scalable systems designed for Artificial Intelligence (AI) inference, data processing and other compute-intensive workloads in orbit.

By combining Sophia Space’s compute architecture with Redwire’s space infrastructure and engineering capabilities, the companies aim to address one of the central challenges facing the emerging orbital computing market: moving from individual technology demonstrations toward the repeatable, scalable infrastructure needed for the global build-out of orbital data centers.

“We’re past the point of asking whether high-performance computing belongs in orbit,” said Rob DeMillo, CEO and Cofounder of Sophia Space. “The question now is how quickly we can scale it. Redwire brings the deployment and systems expertise that can help us move from individual missions to persistent computing infrastructure in orbit. That is the transition we’re building toward now.”

“The demand for global computing is scaling exponentially, and the advancement of orbital data centers represents an exciting paradigm shift where space infrastructure can scale critical capacity beyond the constraints of terrestrial infrastructure,” said Al Tadros, Chief Technology Officer, Redwire Space. “As a leading space infrastructure provider, Redwire is translating the maturation of the orbital data center market into exciting opportunities to build next-generation architectures that could unlock significant economic value.

Sophia Space and Redwire intend to jointly pursue select U.S. government and commercial opportunities, including potential programs involving DARPA, the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), the Space Development Agency (SDA) and the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). Areas of potential collaboration include concept development, joint proposals, internal research and development activities, customer engagement, and international market opportunities.

—

About Sophia Space Inc.

Sophia Space is building the future of orbital computing and in-space data centers. Its modular TILE technology enables passive computing alongside in-situ data processing, AI acceleration, and edge computing for satellites, defense systems, and commercial space stations, dramatically reducing latency and delivering actionable insights where and when they are needed. Learn more at www.sophia.space

About Redwire

Redwire Corporation (NYSE: RDW) is an integrated space and defense tech company focused on advanced technologies. We are building the future of aerospace infrastructure, autonomous systems, and multi-domain operations leveraging digital engineering and AI automation. Redwire’s approximately 1,400 employees located throughout North America and Europe are committed to delivering innovative space and airborne platforms transforming the future of multi-domain operations. For more information, please visit RDW.com.

Media Contacts:

David Ariosto, Executive Director, Communications, Sophia Space
dariosto@sophia.space

Tere Riley, Vice President Marketing Communications, Redwire

Tere.Riley@rdw.com

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SOURCE Sophia Space

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Sungrow Powers Cambodia’s Large-Scale BESS with Black-Start Capabilities

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TAKMAO, Cambodia, Sept. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Sungrow, a globally leading PV inverter and energy storage system provider, has announced the successful grid connection and full acceptance testing of the Cambodia EDC Kandal Stueng station (GS79) project, a 108.4 MW/215.6 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) in Takmao, Kandal Province. The project brings grid-forming technology into a large-scale utility application, supporting grid stability, black-start capability and coordination with hydro and thermal generation.

Grid-forming capabilities support multiple grid-restoration functions

The project plays an important role in supporting voltage and frequency stability at a key point in Cambodia’s central power grid, including transmission corridors that import electricity from Vietnam. Its grid-forming capabilities were put through a series of demanding system-restoration scenarios, demonstrating how energy storage can take on a more active role in supporting the power system.

Key highlights include:

Large-scale black start from zero voltage: 516 grid-forming PCS units successfully energized the entire plant from zero voltage, establishing stable voltage and frequency across the system.Restoration of a 240 km transmission network: The system supported the energization of approximately 240 km of transmission lines and five substations, while maintaining stable operation as the network was progressively restored.Support for multiple generation sources: The system supported the start-up and synchronization of the 60 MW Kamchay Hydropower Plant, before the restored network was operated together with the 135 MW CIIDG coal-fired power plant, energy storage and loads.Stable operation under challenging grid conditions: During restoration, the system remained stable through five transformer energization events, including a transformer rated at up to 100 MVA. It also maintained stability when synchronizing different power sources under a phase-angle difference of up to 15 degrees, demonstrating its ability to handle challenging conditions during system recovery.Extended islanded operation: The system operated independently for 3.5 hours, demonstrating that the energy storage system could continue supporting the local network even when separated from the main grid.Seamless transitions: The project completed three transitions between grid-connected and islanded operation, with voltage deviation kept below 2% and transient frequency fluctuation within 0.15 Hz during grid separation.

“This project demonstrates that the value of grid-forming energy storage goes far beyond storing electricity.When a power system faces disturbances or loses normal grid support, grid-forming technology can help establish and maintain stable voltage and frequency, support system restoration and keep the grid operating reliably,” said Michael Ruan, Regional Director of Sungrow Southeast Asia and South Asia. “Through projects like this, Sungrow is helping turn energy storage into a more active grid-support asset and bringing proven grid-forming capabilities to the evolving power systems of Southeast Asia.”

Reducing Technical Risk and Ensuring Timely Delivery

Faced with strict test protocols, complex power system scenarios, a compressed construction schedule and rainy‑season working conditions with ambient temperature up to 40°C, Sungrow’s cross‑functional team covering pre-sales, on‑site delivery and R&D collaborated closely to deliver high‑quality project outcomes:

20-day commissioning and testing: The on‑site team worked relentlessly under hot and humid conditions for two consecutive months. The team wrapped up hot commissioning plus three rounds of performance tests within 20 days to guarantee timely grid‑connection.End‑to‑End Service Solution: Sungrow provides full‑lifecycle and one‑stop services spanning integrated design of storage and monitoring systems, EPC‑related support, equipment design, commissioning and O&M services, enabling the customer to fulfill customized grid‑level requirements with reduced management overhead.

As Southeast Asia advances its energy transition, Sungrow will continue to bring proven energy storage technologies and solutions to the region, helping customers build more reliable and sustainable power infrastructure.

Contact: Luly Wang, luly.wang@sungrow-hq.com

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SOURCE Sungrow Power

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Greta Garbo is back – starring in SKF’s initiative to overcome friction

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GOTHENBURG, Sweden, Sept. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Greta Garbo returns to SKF. More than a century after her first campaign promoting SKF, one of the most iconic figures of our time is once again the face of the company. Using AI technology, Garbo has been recreated. This time, she’s drawing attention to groundbreaking magnetic bearings with the potential to entirely eliminate friction. At the same time, SKF is reintroducing a payment model pioneered by the company in 1919.

Before she became a global icon, Greta Garbo appeared in one of Swedish industry’s campaign films for an international audience, with SKF among the companies featured. But for SKF, Garbo represents more than just a historical connection to the company’s early years. Her journey reflects the values that have always driven SKF: the determination to keep thinking differently and the courage to challenge established conventions as the world changes. Today, around 20 percent of global energy is used to overcome friction in machinery and industrial processes, making friction one of the world’s greatest sustainability challenges. To address this challenge, SKF has developed frictionless technology.

“Industry is facing growing demands to reduce energy consumption, strengthen competitiveness and meet the needs of increasingly energy-intensive operations. Our innovative levitating magnetic bearings eliminate friction entirely. But just as we did a century ago, we need to find new ways to lower the barriers to adoption and make the technology more accessible,” says Rickard Gustafson, President and CEO.

The challenge isn’t new. As early as in 1919, SKF faced a similar situation. Its solution became an offering that enabled customers to finance their investments through the energy savings generated by the technology over time. SKF is now reintroducing that same principle to make the next generation of energy-efficient technology more accessible and accelerate the adoption of solutions that reduce both energy consumption and climate impact.

“There are few companies in the world better at fighting friction than SKF. But having the most innovative technology or the most customer-focused payment model is not enough. The way we communicate must be equally innovative and inspiring. By bringing Greta back, we hope to open more eyes to frictionless and energy-efficient technology. Sometimes, we need to look back to find the best way forward,” says Per Nilsson, Global Head of Communication and Brand.

SKF’s magnetic bearings are used in data centres, cooling systems, semiconductor applications and other energy-intensive applications. By suspending the rotating shaft in a magnetic field without physical contact, the technology can reduce energy consumption, wear and maintenance while increasing availability.

Combined with AI-driven condition monitoring, it also provides operational insights for smarter asset management. By bringing together energy-efficient technology, digital intelligence and new business models, SKF aims to lower investment barriers and accelerate the adoption of more competitive and sustainable solutions.

The initiative has been developed in collaboration with Greta Garbo’s family and Harriet Brown & Company Inc., whose support has ensured that Greta Garbo’s legacy is handled responsibly.

Read more about the initiative here: http://www.skf.com/fighting-friction.

Aktiebolaget SKF
      (publ)

Since 1907, SKF has been making some of the world’s most innovative bearings, seals, lubrication systems, condition monitoring solutions, and services to reduce friction. Less friction means more energy saved and by reducing it, we make industry smarter, more competitive, and more energy efficient, building a more sustainable future where we can all do more with less. SKF is represented in approximately 130 countries and has around 17,000 distributor locations worldwide. Annual sales in 2025 were SEK 91,583 million and the number of employees was 37,271. www.skf.com 

® SKF is a registered trademark of the SKF Group.

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