Casual Dining

“We cannot maintain any longer” – Phill and Deb Lewis announce closure of Kindle

05-Jan-2024 By James McAllister

Cardiff-based restaurateurs Phill and Deb Lewis are to close their sustainability-focused outdoor restaurant Kindle, describing the decision as ‘a reflection of the current industry struggles’.

‘Challenging’ trading environment pushes Revolution Bars to close eight sites

05-Jan-2024 By James McAllister

Revolution Bars Group has announced it will shutter eight of its ‘least profitable bars’ in order to reduce future losses.

Spaghetti House returns to profit

04-Jan-2024 By Shwetali Sapte

Spaghetti House has reported financial results for the year to 26 March 2023, with turnover rising from the previous year’s £5.3m to £9.8m.

Mission Mars tees up new openings as it toasts ‘record’ festive period

04-Jan-2024 By James McAllister

Restaurant and bar group Mission Mars is planning to open a further 12 Rudy’s Pizza sites this year after reporting ‘record’ sales across its estate over the festive period.

Sud Pasta team unveils new concept

04-Jan-2024 By James McAllister

Manchester-based restaurant group Sud Pasta will relaunch this month under a new brand called Rigatoni’s, which is billed as aiming ‘to bring quality pasta to the masses’.

Manchester’s Cottonopolis closes to make way for new concept

03-Jan-2024 By Joe Lutrario

Asian-inspired Manchester restaurant and bar Cottonopolis has closed to make way for a new as-yet unnamed concept.

“It’s a heart breaking day": Simon Rimmer announces shock closure of Greens

02-Jan-2024 By Restaurant

Simon Rimmer has closed his Didsbury restaurant Greens with immediate effect after 33 years.

Patty & Bun to launch first international outpost in Dubai

02-Jan-2024 By James McAllister

Burger slinger Patty & Bun is to become the latest UK-based restaurant operator to open an outpost in Dubai.

‘Continued financial difficulties’ force Tony Rodd to close Copper & Ink

02-Jan-2024 By James McAllister

Tony Rodd has announced the immediate closure of his Copper & Ink restaurant in Blackheath, south east London, saying that ‘continued financial difficulties’ have made the business ‘untenable’.

“I’ve never been so battered in this business” – James Allcock closes The Pig and Whistle

02-Jan-2024 By James McAllister

Chef James Allcock has permanently closed his Yorkshire bistro The Pig and Whistle in Beverly, describing it as ‘the most gut-wrenching decision’ of his life.

Latest opening: Akara

22-Dec-2023 By Joe Lutrario

Aji Akokomi’s follow up to his high-reaching Akoko restaurant takes its name from a black-eye bean fritter that originated in West Africa.

Ceviche’s sole remaining restaurant closes

22-Dec-2023 By Joe Lutrario

Influential Soho Peruvian restaurant Ceviche has closed after 13 years' of trading.

Gino D’Acampo’s restaurant at INNSiDE Manchester Hotel to undergo rebrand

22-Dec-2023 By Joe Lutrario

Gino D’Acampo’s First Street Bar & Kitchen restaurant at INNSiDE Manchester Hotel will change its name to Gino D’Acampo, Manchester early next year following a £800,000 refurbishment.

Latest opening: Pearly Queen

21-Dec-2023 By Joe Lutrario

Chef Tom Brown’s follow up to his Michelin-starred Cornerstone restaurant is focused on oysters and tips its mother of pearl-decorated hat to London’s Pearly Queens (and Kings).

Natalia Ribbe: “I want to leave my stamp on Margate”

21-Dec-2023 By Joe Lutrario

The founder of Ladies Of Restaurants is one of a number of hospitality pros to set up shop in the trendy north Kent town.

Pearly Cow sets summer opening date for Brighton site

20-Dec-2023 By Joe Lutrario

Pearly Cow’s Brighton site has been confirmed for a summer 2024 launch.

Six by Nico to launch new Glasgow flagship

19-Dec-2023 By James McAllister

Tasting menu restaurant Six by Nico is investing £3m to overhaul its Glasgow estate with the launch of two new concepts and a new flagship location in Merchant City.

Ordering habits 'evolve' as delivery sales rise and takeaways fall

19-Dec-2023 By James McAllister

Delivery sales at Britain’s top managed restaurant groups rose 4% year-on-year in November 2023, CGA by NIQ’s latest Hospitality at Home Tracker shows — but takeaway sales fell 6%.

Giggling Squid sees turnover rise following ‘another excellent year’

19-Dec-2023 By James McAllister

Giggling Squid has reported a rise in turnover with like for like sales ‘materially ahead’ of pre pandemic levels in its latest financial results.

Former Issac At somm launches Brighton deli and wine bar

19-Dec-2023 By Joe Lutrario

Alex Preston and Maria Barney have launched a deli, café and wine bar within the central Brighton site that was once home to Isaac Bartlett-Copeland's Isaac At restaurant.

Sud Pasta to relaunch estate under new pasta kitchen concept

18-Dec-2023 By James McAllister

Manchester-based restaurant group Sud Pasta is to close its four-strong estate at the end of the month and relaunch it early next year under a new concept.

Honey Spencer: “Our aim is to undersell and over deliver”

15-Dec-2023 By Joe Lutrario

Together with her husband Charlie Sims, the top natural wine sommelier has opened an understated-yet-quietly-ambitious neighbourhood restaurant on Hackney’s Broadway Market.

Latest opening: Sam’s Waterside

15-Dec-2023 By Joe Lutrario

Following success in Hammersmith, West London specialist Sam Harrison has opened another water-adjacent restaurant, this time within the Brentford Project development.

Ellen Chew to launch permanent Singapulah site on Shaftesbury Avenue

14-Dec-2023 By James McAllister

London-based restaurateur Ellen Chew will launch the first permanent site under her Singaporean-focused Singapulah concept early next year on Shaftesbury Avenue.

Megan’s to return to Parsons Green

14-Dec-2023 By Joe Lutrario

All-day dining brand Megan’s is returning to West London’s Parsons Green having taken on the former Le Pain Quotidien site on Parsons Green Lane.

Comment

Will investors have an appetite for hospitality in 2024? I think they will

14-Dec-2023 By Stefan Chomka

As another year’s gap is put between the Covid lockdowns and the present there are signs that optimism is returning to investors in hospitality.

RIO heads to Edinburgh for first Scottish site

14-Dec-2023 By Restaurant

Brazilian Steakhouse brand RIO is venturing north of the border for the first time with a venue in Scotland.

Marcel Khan appointed CEO of The Fulham Shore

14-Dec-2023 By Joe Lutrario

Franco Manca and The Real Greek owner and operator The Fulham Shore has appointed Marcel Khan as its new chief executive officer.

Larger restaurant groups benefit from rebound in festive bookings

13-Dec-2023 By James McAllister

Larger restaurant groups including Hawksmoor and Rare Restaurants are reporting a rebound in festive bookings.

Restaurant groups see 'solid' November sales

13-Dec-2023 By James McAllister

Britain’s leading hospitality groups achieved year-on-year sales growth of 4.0% in November, the new CGA RSM Hospitality Business Tracker reveals.

Latest opening: Sune

12-Dec-2023 By Joe Lutrario

Honey Spencer and Charlie Sims have opened a relaxed-yet-highly-accomplished neighbourhood restaurant in Hackney’s Broadway Market.

Laylow to swap Notting Hill for the West End

12-Dec-2023 By Joe Lutrario

Notting Hill's Laylow will close later this month ahead of moving to an as-yet-unrevealed location in the West End.

Liverpool's Buyers Club joins Maray Restaurants as part of QVO Hospitality

12-Dec-2023 By Joe Lutrario

The North West-based QVO Hospitality, parent company of Maray Restaurants, have entered into an operating partnership with Jonathan and Miles Falkingham to take over the management of Liverpool restaurant Buyers Club.

Details revealed for relaunch of Knightsbridge stalwart Sale e Pepe

12-Dec-2023 By Joe Lutrario

More details have been released for the relaunch of Sale e Pepe as the Knightsbridge restaurant gears up to celebrate its 50th anniversary.

Boom Bap Burger opens third site

08-Dec-2023 By Restaurant

Burger mini chain Boom Bap Burger has opened its third London restaurant, in London's Leadenhall Market.

Nando’s tees up new openings as it reports ‘steady recovery’

08-Dec-2023 By James McAllister

Nando’s is in the process of opening 14 new UK restaurants having reported a ‘steady recovery’ to pre-pandemic sales and a return to operating profit in its latest accounts.

Generation Next

Smoke + Ash: “We think the whole concept of pizza can be pushed”

08-Dec-2023 By James McAllister

The founders of Birmingham-based pizzeria Smoke + Ash have learnt a lot in their first year as restaurateurs, and now they’re looking to parlay that knowledge into long-term success.

Azzurri Group looks to test bidders’ appetite with auction sale

08-Dec-2023 By James McAllister

Azzurri Group owner Towerbrook Capital Partners is lining up bankers to launch an auction next year of the Ask, Zizzi and Coco di Mama restaurant chains.

Comptoir Libanais to open at London's Southbank Centre

07-Dec-2023 By Restaurant

Comptoir Group will open its 23rd Comptoir Libanais next year as it continues to grow its UK estate following a recent return to the expansion trail.

Banana Tree doubles estate in a year

06-Dec-2023 By James McAllister

Fast casual pan-Asian chain Banana Tree has doubled its estate in a year following its acquisition by The Big Table Group.

Train strikes knock profits at Drake & Morgan as sales rise

06-Dec-2023 By James McAllister

Ongoing industrial action on the railways has been blamed for dip in profits at Drake & Morgan, with the group reporting a rise in sales in its latest financial results.

Alsace-inspired restaurant and wine bar to launch in Fitzrovia next year

06-Dec-2023 By Joe Lutrario

Food writer Solynka Dumas and Julian Oschmann will launch an Alsatian-inspired restaurant and wine bar on Fitzrovia’s Charlotte Street early next year.

Latest opening: The Tamil Crown

05-Dec-2023 By James McAllister

The Tamil Prince team have launched a second London site, which places greater emphasis on its pub setting while retaining a robust food offering.

Various Eateries looks to raise £12m

05-Dec-2023 By Finn Scott-Delany

Various Eateries has confirmed it is in advanced stages of conducting a potential fundraising of up to £12m.

Latest opening: Fenix

04-Dec-2023 By Joe Lutrario

The duo behind Tattu have launched their most ambitious (and expensive) project yet - a huge Greek restaurant in Manchester.

Aqua man: how David Yeo built an international restaurant group

04-Dec-2023 By Stefan Chomka

Twenty-three years on from opening his first restaurant, the Aqua Restaurant Group founder is showing no signs of slowing down, with new London restaurants Luci and Azzurra and more to come.

How I Got Here: Ranjit Mathrani

04-Dec-2023 By James McAllister

The chairman of Indian restaurant group MW-Eat, who was recognised at this year's R200 Awards, on what makes a good leader and how to deal with unpredictability in business.

Honest Burgers ‘back growing business’ after clash with HMRC

04-Dec-2023 By James McAllister

Honest Burgers is ‘back growing its business’ after a clash with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) briefly saw it slapped with a winding-up petition.

JKS targets US market after latest funding round

04-Dec-2023 By James McAllister

JKS is eyeing expansion into the US market as well as further growth in the Middle East following the completion of its latest funding round.

Debt pile grows for top restaurant groups leaving some 'in a precarious position'

04-Dec-2023 By James McAllister

The collective debt burden of the UK’s top restaurant groups has broken through the £3bn mark for the first time, new research by UHY Hacker Young shows.