Casual Dining

Gary Usher warns tough trading could force him to close Burnt Truffle

30-Nov-2023 By James McAllister

Gary Usher has warned he may be forced to close his Burnt Truffle restaurant in Heswall unless trade picks up.

‘Challenging’ recruitment landscape forces Ottolenghi to cut opening hours as group sees turnover rise

30-Nov-2023 By James McAllister

The Ottolenghi group has had cut operating hours across some of its sites as a result of challenges to recruitment caused by Brexit and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Pizza Punks reveals plans for four more restaurants

29-Nov-2023 By Restaurant

Wood-fired pizza restaurant group Pizza Punks has plans to open new sites in Edinburgh, Manchester, Cardiff and Birmingham as part of its plans to grow into a UK-wide business.

The Naked Chef: “I’d love to open quietly and chip away but that doesn’t happen with Jamie Oliver”

29-Nov-2023 By Restaurant

Jamie Oliver has finally opened the doors at his new Covent Garden restaurant, marking the return of the Naked Chef.

Kricket tees up fourth London site as it secures further funding

29-Nov-2023 By James McAllister

Rik Campbell and Will Bowlby will launch a fourth restaurant under their modern-Indian brand Kricket next year in London’s Canary Wharf, alongside a second iteration of their SOMA bar concept.

Latest opening: Rind

28-Nov-2023 By James McAllister

Turophile Mathew Carver has swapped central London for the rolling hills of the Yorkshire Dales for his latest restaurant venture.

Loungers CFO to step down as group toasts 'strong financial and operational growth'

28-Nov-2023 By James McAllister

Loungers chief financial officer Gregor Grant has told the company he plans to step down next July after six years in the role.

The Restaurant Group shareholders approve sale to Apollo

28-Nov-2023 By Restaurant

Shareholders of The Restaurant Group (TRG) have formally approved its sale to private equity company Apollo Global Management for £506m.

Berenjak launches international outpost in Dubai

27-Nov-2023 By James McAllister

London-based Persian restaurant brand Berenjak has launched its first international location in Dubai’s Dar Wasl district.

Pho continues expansion amid sales growth

27-Nov-2023 By Shwetali Sapte

Pho Restaurants has reported financial results for the year ended 19 February 2023, with turnover of £58.3m.

Restaurateur Russell Norman has died

24-Nov-2023 By Joe Lutrario

Russell Norman, multi-award winning restaurateur and author, died yesterday at the age of 57.

‘Pub with wines’ to open in Spitalfields

24-Nov-2023 By Joe Lutrario

Alfi, an all-day ‘wine pub’ and restaurant is set to open its doors in the heart of Spitalfields next month, offering small plates and an extensive selection of wines on tap from across Europe.

Shrimp Shack to launch in Streatham next month

24-Nov-2023 By Joe Lutrario

The co-founder of dessert concept Creams will launch a shrimp-focused casual dining brand in Streatham, South London, next month.

Competitive socialising venues growing at ‘unparalleled levels’

23-Nov-2023 By Hannah Currie

The competitive socialising sector has grown extensively in recent years, with a 38% uptick in venues since 2018.

Victor Lugger: “There was way less interest in the business than I expected”

22-Nov-2023 By Stefan Chomka

Interest in Italian restaurant group Big Mamma fell short of expectations despite the company having a successful 10-year track record that has seen it open 23 restaurants in four countries, its co-founder has revealed.

Lessons from Wagamama: the power of design and the power of brand

22-Nov-2023 By Jon Blakeney

With its purchase of The Restaurant Group, US private equity giant Apollo has bought one of the UK's most inspirational casual dining brands.

Confidence in hospitality sector climbs again despite cost challenges and rates threat

22-Nov-2023 By James McAllister

The optimism of Britain’s hospitality leaders has risen for the fourth quarter in a row, but they remain concerned about inflation in key inputs, and the challenge of business rates.

Pizza history: the original Franco Manca is relocating after 15 years

22-Nov-2023 By Restaurant

The original Franco Manca pizzeria in London's Brixton Market is to close and relocate having finally outgrown its original location.

Rosa’s Thai named Restaurant Group of the Year

22-Nov-2023 By Restaurant

Restaurant groups Rosa’s Thai and Flat Iron were the big winners at the annual R200 Awards, which were held last night in London.

Latest opening: Permit Room

21-Nov-2023 By Joe Lutrario

The team behind Dishoom is shaking things up with a cocktail-led spin-off in Brighton’s The Lanes.

Rudy’s Pizza to reach three London restaurants by end of the year

21-Nov-2023 By Restaurant

Rudy’s Pizza will triple its presence in London next month with the opening of two new sites.

Long read

Jamie Oliver: “This is a really important moment, and it means the world to me”

21-Nov-2023 By James McAllister

The TV chef has assembled a team of familiar faces from his Barbecoa days to lead the opening of his highly anticipated return to London’s restaurant scene.

Sophie Pascoe and Benito Martinez to open two Cardiff restaurants

20-Nov-2023 By Restaurant

Cardiff restaurateurs Sophie Pascoe and Benito Martinez will open two restaurants at Lakeside’s Amber Vista development.

Tesco delists Cinnamon Kitchen retail range after a year

20-Nov-2023 By Restaurant

Cinnamon Kitchen’s retail range has been axed by Tesco after little more than a year.

More details released for upcoming Mayfair restaurant Gaia

20-Nov-2023 By Joe Lutrario

More details have been released for Gaia, the high-end Greek restaurant that is set to launch in Mayfair next month.

Chris Boustead and Laura Christie to open Linden Stores 3.0 this month

17-Nov-2023 By Restaurant

Restaurant, wine bar and shop Linden Stores will open in its third iteration later this month.

Crab shack LULA finds second Cornwall site

17-Nov-2023 By Restaurant

Cornwall-based crab shack LULA will open a second venue next year having been forced to close its original restaurant earlier in the year.

Latest opening: Paro

17-Nov-2023 By Joe Lutrario

Hitherto Brick Lane-based chef Niaz Caan has struck out on his own with an Indian restaurant in Covent Garden.

Whyte Rushen launches crowdfund to support the opening of first permanent restaurant

17-Nov-2023 By James McAllister

The London-based chef known as Whyte Rushen has created a crowdfund to support the opening of his first permanent restaurant, which is set to launch next month in Hackney.

Max Halley and Ethan Davids to open third pub

17-Nov-2023 By Restaurant

Sandwich supremo Max Halley and publican Ethan Davids are opening their third pub together later this month.

Aldi to open pigs in blankets pop-up restaurant

16-Nov-2023 By Restaurant

Aldi is opening a bottomless pigs in blankets restaurant in London this Christmas.

Zoilo chef Diego Jacquet launches Argentine-inspired pizza restaurant

16-Nov-2023 By Joe Lutrario

The Argentine chef behind Marylebone stalwart Zoilo has launched a pizza restaurant on Seymour Place.

Olive Tree Brasserie to open in Leeds

16-Nov-2023 By Restaurant

Greek restaurant group Olive Tree Brasserie will open its fourth site this month, with the brand planning further expansion across the north.

Aegean restaurant Sonya opens in Chelsea

15-Nov-2023 By Restaurant

Turkish head chef Sercan Ugurlu and Bulgarian general manager Iskren Slavkov have opened Aegean restaurant Sonya in Chelsea.

Strong post-pandemic recovery pushes Hawksmoor to ‘record sales and profitability’

15-Nov-2023 By James McAllister

Hawksmoor is toasting ‘record sales and profitability’ across its restaurant estate following a strong post-pandemic recovery.

Wet weather softens growth for managed restaurants in October

15-Nov-2023 By James McAllister

Managed restaurant groups saw year-on-year sales growth slow to 2.7% last month amid widespread poor weather, the new CGA RSM Hospitality Business Tracker reveals.

Inside Kolae, the new southern Thai restaurant from the Som Saa duo

15-Nov-2023 By Joe Lutrario

Thai cooking experts Andy Oliver and Mark Dobbie have crossed the river to launch a restaurant that’s focused on food from the south of the country.

Puglia-inspired café and wine bar Capilungo to launch in Covent Garden

15-Nov-2023 By Joe Lutrario

A café and wine bar inspired by the Puglian city of Lecce will launch in Covent Garden next month.

Raz Helalat reveals his plans for new The Coal Shed Brighton

14-Nov-2023 By Joe Lutrario

Further details have been announced for Raz Helalat's new iteration of The Coal Shed Brighton, which is set to move to a larger site in the city early next year.

Rising costs and reduced footfall force Liverpool restaurant Lu Ban to close

14-Nov-2023 By James McAllister

Liverpool restaurant Lu Ban has permanently closed its doors after four years of trading, with a combination of rising costs and reduced footfall cited as being behind the decision.

Purezza acquires plant-based cheesemonger La Fauxmagerie

13-Nov-2023 By James McAllister

Brighton-based vegan pizza brand Purezza has acquired a majority stake in artisanal plant-based cheese manufacturer La Fauxmagerie.

Jamie Oliver: Jamie’s Italian model was ‘wrong from day one’

13-Nov-2023 By Restaurant

Jamie Oliver has admitted the model for his Jamie’s Italian chain, which collapsed back in 2019, was ‘wrong from day one’.

Loungers on track to hit 34 new sites target this year

13-Nov-2023 By Restaurant

Loungers says it is on track to open its projected 34 new sites in current financial year, with four sites having opened since its 200th Lounge opening on 13 September.

Edinburgh pizzeria Matto to launch third site

10-Nov-2023 By James McAllister

Edinburgh-based Neapolitan pizza brand Matto will launch its third and largest site later this month in the Scottish capital’s Newington neighbourhood on the southside of the city.

The Real Greek heads to Liverpool

09-Nov-2023 By Joe Lutrario

The Real Greek will make its Liverpool debut later this year with a restaurant within the city’s Liverpool ONE development.

BrewDog calls time on its Hawkes taproom in Bermondsey

08-Nov-2023 By Restaurant

BrewDog has closed its Hawkes taproom in Bermondsey, south London, citing economic pressures.

Temper lines up fifth London restaurant in Paddington

07-Nov-2023 By James McAllister

Steakhouse and barbecue restaurant Temper will open its fifth London restaurant next month in Paddington.

PizzaExpress to not make an offer for The Restaurant Group

07-Nov-2023 By Restaurant

The owner of PizzaExpress has pulled out of the running for The Restaurant Group (TRG).

PizzaExpress launches frozen retail range

07-Nov-2023 By Restaurant

PizzaExpress has swelled its retail proposition with the launch of a frozen range of pizzas, pastas and a garlic bread.

Latest opening: Faber

06-Nov-2023 By Restaurant

The team behind pub group Yummy Collective has entered new waters with a seafood-focused restaurant.