QSR & Street Food

Food hall to open in Durham

19-Nov-2019 By James McAllister

A food hall concept is to launch this Friday (22 November) at The Riverwalk redevelopment on the banks of the River Wear in Durham.

American dreamers: why the US brands keep coming

19-Nov-2019 By Stefan Chomka

A fresh wave of American concepts have crossed the pond in recent years, and more are on their way. Why is the UK so appealing to US brands, and do we still want them?

Jollibee eyes third UK location

18-Nov-2019 By James McAllister

Filipino fast food chain Jollibee is understood to have lined up its third UK location in Leicester, which will become its “flagship branch in the Midlands”.

Old Chang Kee to open second London site

18-Nov-2019 By James McAllister

Singaporean street food chain Old Chang Kee is to open a second London restaurant on Goodge Street in Fitzrovia next month, on the site formerly occupied by Benito’s Hat.

Lucky & Joy to open first permanent site

13-Nov-2019 By James McAllister

Chinese-inspired pop-up Lucky & Joy is to open its first bricks-and-mortar restaurant in Hackney later this month.

Thunderbird appoints new CEO

12-Nov-2019 By MCA

Thunderbird has appointed Paul Gilchrist as its new CEO, replacing Marcel Khan.

Wrap stars: how Tortilla won the burrito wars

12-Nov-2019 By Joe Lutrario

Brandon Stephens and Richard Morris’ Californian-inspired brand Tortilla has come out on top in the burrito wars and looks to be eyeing a sale.

Mercato Metropolitano opens first of three planned sites

08-Nov-2019 By Sophie Witts

Food market Mercato Metropolitano has opened the first of three new London sites planned for the next six months.

Gabriel Gonzalez: "We're keen to regain Lima London's Michelin star"

08-Nov-2019 By James McAllister

Gabriel Gonzalez founded Peruvian fine-dining restaurant Lima London with his brother José-Luis in 2012. Now the pair have entered the fast-casual arena with Venezuelan concept Sabroso at Westfield London

Shortlist revealed for Restaurant's R200 Awards

07-Nov-2019 By Stefan Chomka

Arcade Food Theatre, Emilia’s Crafted Pasta, Circolo Popolare, Nando’s, Bleecker Burger, Giggling Squid, Rockfish and Loungers are among the restaurant groups and new openings that have been shortlisted in this year’s R200 Awards.

BBQ Dreamz team to open first permanent restaurant

01-Nov-2019 By Sophie Witts

The founders of BBQ Dreamz, the street food trader which appeared on the BBC's My Million Pound Menu, are to open their first permanent restaurant.

The rise of the residency restaurant

30-Oct-2019 By Sophie Witts

London landlords are becoming increasingly nervous about signing restaurants up for long leases following several high-profile closures, according to a leading property expert.

Latest opening: Sabroso

30-Oct-2019 By James McAllister

Lima London founders Gabriel and Jose-Luis Gonzalez have opened Sabroso at Westfield London, a Venezuelan-inspired concept inspired by the food of their childhood.

Market forces: why food halls are now a major part of the eating out market

29-Oct-2019 By Tony Naylor

Lower rents for operators, more choice for customers – food halls are being heralded as a win-win model for the eating out sector.

YO! to trial grab and go concept in Manchester

23-Oct-2019 By Sophie Witts

YO! is to trial an express format restaurant designed for customers on the go.

Jollibee set for Liverpool

22-Oct-2019 By James McAllister

Filipino fast food chain Jollibee is pushing forward with its regional expansion plans with the opening of a second UK site in Liverpool.

Full Market Halls West End line-up confirmed

18-Oct-2019 By James McAllister

Market Halls' upcoming West End venue will feature a new concept from chef Angelo Sato, and a third site for Alex Peffly and Z He’s Chinese crépe brand Pleasant Lady.

Nando's to open third express format restaurant

18-Oct-2019 By Sophie Witts

Nando’s is to launch a third London site under its Nando’s Nino express format, designed for takeaway or delivery.

Middle Eastern promises: James Walters on Arabica KX

18-Oct-2019 By James McAllister

James Walters has opened a second incarnation of his Levantine-inspired restaurant concept Arabica. A lot has changed, but what remains is the chef’s determination to steadily evolve the brand.

Generation Next: how Berto is hoping to grow with its innovative pasta

17-Oct-2019 By Finn Scott-Delany

The team behind boundary-stretching pizza concept Zia Lucia have now set their sights on pasta with the launch of Berto.

Protest to target UK's first Chick-fil-A

16-Oct-2019 By Sophie Witts

Protesters are planning to target the UK's first Chick-fil-A restaurant over claims about the company's history of support for anti-gay groups.

Pastaio, Flank and Gopal’s Corner among Market Halls West End line-up

16-Oct-2019 By James McAllister

The first round of operators set to take up residence in Market Halls' upcoming flagship West End venue, which is set to open early next month, has been announced.

US burger chain Wendy’s is looking to return to the UK

14-Oct-2019 By Stefan Chomka

US burger chain Wendy’s is looking to make a return to these shores almost two decades after pulling out of the UK.

Latest opening: Arabica KX

11-Oct-2019 By James McAllister

James Walters has finally opened his second Arabica site in London, featuring a more freewheeling approach and an almost entirely new menu.

Bleecker Burger: from start-up operator to established player

10-Oct-2019 By Finn Scott-Delany

Bleecker Burger built its reputation on its high quality burger but, as it looks to expand, is that enough?

Spudulike sites reopen under new owner

10-Oct-2019 By Sophie Witts

A number of Spudulike sites have reopened under a new owner, two months after the baked potato chain entered administration.

Shake Shack continues to push forward with UK expansion

08-Oct-2019 By James McAllister

US burger brand Shake Shack is planning further expansion in the UK with the opening of its 12th site confirmed for Brent Cross shopping centre in North West London.

SpiceBox launches crowdfund to fire up expansion

07-Oct-2019 By Sophie Witts

Vegan curry house SpiceBox has launched a crowdfunding campaign to support its expansion outside London.

KFC sees profits drop following distribution crisis

07-Oct-2019 By James McAllister

KFC saw its turnover and profits plunge in 2018 following a logistics fiasco that at its peak saw more than 600 outlets forced to close temporarily due to a chicken shortage.

Elizabeth Haigh to top the bill at The Borough Market Kitchen

03-Oct-2019 By Joe Lutrario

Former Pidgin chef Elizabeth Haigh is to launch a Singaporean counter restaurant in The Borough Market Kitchen, an upcoming communal eating space housing 25 street food stalls in the famed central London market.

Opening of the month: Seven Dials Market

02-Oct-2019 By Stefan Chomka

London is home to yet another restaurant food hall, this time courtesy of the team behind street food collective KERB, which has rung the changes with its first bricks and mortar venue.

Flash-grilled: Felipe Preece

27-Sep-2019 By James McAllister

Chef Felipe Preece is behind Japanese-Latin street food brand Sugoi JPN. His second concept, Just Yuca, recently launched at Old Street Brewery in Bethnal Green.

Abokado: ‘small handful’ of underperforming sites could close

27-Sep-2019 By Finn Scott-Delany

Abokado CEO Mark Lilley has said there are a small handful of underperforming shops in the estate which could be closed over the coming months.

Generation Next: how Chin Chin is rethinking ice cream

25-Sep-2019 By Sophie Witts

Three-strong nitrogen ice cream specialist Chin Chin Ice Cream has brought desserts made using techniques associated with high-end restaurants to a wider audience

UK restaurant market facing fastest decline in seven years

24-Sep-2019 By James McAllister

The UK restaurant market is set to contract -3.1% to £18.8bn in 2019, its fastest decline in seven years.

Pret to complete allergen label roll out this week

24-Sep-2019 By Sophie Witts

Pret a Manger is to finish introducing full ingredient labels across its 391 UK stores by the end of the week.

How Five Guys conquered the UK burger market

20-Sep-2019 By Sophie Witts

When Five Guys was preparing to open its first UK restaurant in Covent Garden in 2013, it seemed to be facing an uphill battle.

Benito's Hat launches CVA

19-Sep-2019 By Finn Scott-Delany

Benito’s Hat operator Pico’s Ltd has entered into a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA).

The Lowdown: Rutland's last stand

19-Sep-2019 By James McAllister

McDonald’s hopes to open a restaurant in Rutland, which would make it the last county in England to be conquered by the Golden Arches. However, local resistance could derail the chain’s plans.

Biff’s Kitchen signs foodservice partnership with Punch

17-Sep-2019 By James McAllister

Vegan fast food brand Biff’s Kitchen has partnered with pub operator Punch to serve its jackfruit-based ‘junk’ food across the group’s nationwide portfolio.

KFC abandons plans to introduce baked products after poor sales

13-Sep-2019 By James McAllister

KFC has abandoned attempts to encourage people to eat healthier by introducing baked products onto its menus because of poor sales and ‘grief’ from customers.

Five Guys considering breakfast trial in UK restaurants

10-Sep-2019 By Sophie Witts

Burger brand Five Guys is considering a further trial of a breakfast menu across its UK restaurants.

Latest opening: Neat Burger

06-Sep-2019 By James McAllister

A plant-based burger brand that counts Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton as one of its chief backers and already has its eyes on global expansion has opened its first site in London’s West End.

KERB team: "There's room for more food halls in London"

06-Sep-2019 By Stefan Chomka

Petra Barran and Simon Mitchell, founder and CEO of street food collective KERB, will open Seven Dials Market in Covent Garden this weekend.

Three more operators heading for Elephant Park

03-Sep-2019 By James McAllister

Three further restaurant operators, including one brand new concept, are set to open sites within the Elephant Park development in south London.

Will the sandwich ever be the same again?

03-Sep-2019 By James McAllister

How London became besotted with premium sandwiches

Restaurant radar: September 2019

02-Sep-2019 By Restaurant

From Jason Atherton's latest restaurant to the launch of street food collective KERB's first permanent site and Lewis Hamilton's new plant-based burger chain, here are September's key openings.

Chopstix secures £5m funding to expand

30-Aug-2019 By Sophie Witts

Noodle bar chain Chopstix is planning further expansion across the UK after securing a £5m debt facility from Metro Bank.

Inigo enters liquidation

28-Aug-2019 By James McAllister

Sushi handroll kiosk concept Inigo has been liquidated.

German chopped salad restaurant 'could open 300 UK sites in next 10 years'

27-Aug-2019 By James McAllister

German chopped salad concept Salaid is set to launch in the UK later this year under new name Choppaluna, as it eyes major expansion across the country.