Chain Leader UK, a new magazine from the Caterer Group, aimed at the management of UK branded restaurant, pub and bar groups is launched today.

The glossy A4 business-to-business monthly will be distributed to 8,000 senior executives in the sector, with a further 20,000 digital editions being sent to unit managers.

According to editor-in-chief Forbes Mutch, the branded market is a growing sector of the hospitality industry and needs its own magazine.

“Public demand for easy, accessible places to eat and drink has exploded in recent years,” he said.

“The market, which is attracting new money from previously reluctant investors, has expanded beyond recognition. There are now over 100,000 branded pubs, bars and restaurants in the UK, employing upwards of 700,000 people.”

Chain Leader UK digital edition will be available every month.

Users can read and browse the digital edition online; issues can be downloaded to desktop and read at leisure offline. Issues can be forwarded to colleagues, either as a whole or article by article. It can also be printed.

A website has also been launched (www.chainleaderuk.com) to support the magazine, which is also planning to stage a conference later in the year.

The first issue of Chain Leader UK lists the sector’s Top 250 operators, takes a look at design trends in 2005 and interviews David Page, head of investment vehicle Clapham House.

It also contains industry comment from Ian Neill, chief executive of noodle bar Wagamama and David Coffer of property consultants Davis Coffer Lyons, plus regular pages on the US scene, marketing and branding.

Chain Leader UK is the first major launch by the Reed Business Information (RBI) Caterer Group for 10 years. RBI publishes a version of Chain Leader in the US.

More information: www.chainleaderuk.com