Headlines

McDonald's UK has made major changes to the preparation of its core beef burger range for its 50th anniversary

The Lowdown: McDonald’s ‘Best Burger’ campaign

The Golden Arches is marking its 50th year in the UK by making major changes to the preparation of its core beef burger range.

Chotto Matte to expand into Georgia

Kurt Zdesar’s Japanese-Peruvian restaurant brand Chotto Matte is continuing to push forward with international expansion having secured a site in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Friday five: the week's top restaurant stories

This week's most read news stories include Brad Carter making his London debut, the closure of Borough Market restaurant Turnips and squatters moving into Ramsay's York & Albany restaurant.

Rudy's to hit 10 London sites by the year end

Pizza restaurant group Rudy’s will open its sixth London venue this month, with plans to have 10 in the capital by the end of the year.

Latest opening: AGORA

Manteca and SMOKESTAK founder David Carter has opened his modern take on a Greek taverna in Borough Market.

Ex-Firmdale Hotels chef Robin Read to launch The Counter in Tunbridge Wells

The former executive chef of the Firmdale Hotels will launch an ambitious, tasting menu-only restaurant in Tunbridge Wells early next month.

Squatters to leave Gordon Ramsay’s York & Albany following High Court order

Squatters who took over Gordon Ramsay’s York & Albany restaurant and hotel last week are to leave the property after a High Court judge granted a repossession order.

Birmingham chef Brad Carter to make London debut with Undercroft

Carters of Moseley chef Brad Carter will make his London debut this summer with a restaurant in the crypt of Mayfair’s St George’s Church.

Dalston Mexican restaurant Corrochio’s to quadruple in size following site expansion

Regional Mexican taqueria Corrochio’s in London’s Dalston is to quadruple in size with the addition of a new 120-cover street level bar and restaurant.

Natalia Kozlowska head sommelier Studio Frantzen

Uncorked: Natalia Kozlowska

The head sommelier at Studio Frantzén on Christian Tschida, pairing red Burgundy with truffle-based dishes and great value Pauillac.

Incipio Group to take nearly 40,000 sq ft of F&B at Olympia redevelopment

The Prince and Pergola operator Incipio Group will take 39,000 sq ft of F&B space at West London’s Olympia redevelopment.

Australasia-inspired bar and restaurant Fremantle Bar & Kitchen set for London’s Royal Victoria Dock

Australasia-inspired bar and restaurant set for London’s Royal Victoria Dock

Crowne Plaza London Docklands will launch an Australasia-inspired all-day bar and restaurant next month.

Turnips restaurant in Borough Market to close

Tomas Lidakevicius has announced that his Borough Market restaurant Turnips is to close this month.

Coffee group WatchHouse launches second crowdfunding campaign

Coffee house brand WatchHouse has launched a second crowdfunding campaign to support its global expansion.

Celebrations and early Easter holiday lift hospitality groups to 5.2% growth in March

Britain’s top hospitality groups achieved above-inflation like-for-like sales growth of 5.2% in March 2024, the latest CGA RSM Hospitality Business Tracker reveals.

Scottish chef Mark Donald on his The Glenturret Lalique restaurant

Meet the new face of progressive Scottish cuisine

Just two years into the job, former Noma and Restaurant Andrew Fairlie chef Mark Donald has bagged The Glenturret Lalique a shiny new two-star plaque.

Verity Bowditch leaves Clean Kitchen Club as it ditches vegan approach and adds animal products to menu

Clean Kitchen Club swaps plant-based menu for whole food approach following ‘tough year’

Clean Kitchen Club co-founder Verity Bowditch is to leave the business following a decision that will see the formerly plant-based fast food brand add animal products to its menu.

Rachel Morgan co-founder of Edinburgh-based restaurant and bakery group Twelve Triangles on why its important to stay in jobs for a decent length

Flash-grilled: Rachel Morgan

The co-founder of Edinburgh-based restaurant and bakery group Twelve Triangles on why its important to stay in jobs for a decent length, and finding solace by chatting with chickens.

“The memories we've created will remain close to our hearts”- Galvin at Windows to close

Galvin brothers Chris and Jeff have announced that their Galvin at Windows restaurant on London’s Park Lane will close later this month after 18 years of trading.

Join our webinar to unlock the power of your events business

Restaurant magazine is running a webinar next week that is designed to help restaurants unlock the power of their events business.

Squatters removed from Marco Pierre White’s huge former Leicester Square restaurant

Around 400 squatter have been removed from Marco Pierre White’s former Leicester Square restaurant after police secured the building.

Gordon Ramsay 'serves papers' to squatters at York & Albany

Squatters who took over Gordon Ramsay's York & Albany restaurant and hotel say they have been served papers, halting plans to run it as a community café.

Latest opening: Lita

Marylebone has welcomed a new Mediterranean restaurant that serves gutsy food in a stylish setting.

Fried chicken burger brand Butchies flocks to London Bridge

Fried chicken burger brand Butchies will open its seventh site in the capital later this year as it looks to restart its expansion.

StreetSmart's latest campaign breaks £1m mark to tackle homelessness

Homelessness charity StreetSmart has hit a record breaking amount for its latest fundraising campaign.

Lukas Juhaniak named head chef of London restaurant Trivet

Lukas Juhaniak named head chef of London’s Trivet

Lukas Juhaniak has been promoted to head chef at London’s Trivet, which was upgraded from one to two Michelin stars early this year.

Entries are now open for The Estrella Damm Sustainability Award 2024

Restaurants that have introduced a sustainable initiative over the past 12 months can enter The Estrella Damm Sustainability Award, with shortlisted entries able to attend this year’s National Restaurants Awards in June.

Hostmore set to acquire TGI Fridays’ US business

Hostmore, the owner of the TGI Fridays UK franchise, has reached an agreement for a proposed all-share acquisition of TGI Fridays in the US for a value of £177m.