QSR & Street Food

Bodega Rita’s finds new home in Clerkenwell

16-Jun-2021 By James McAllister

Global deli and sandwich store Bodega Rita's has found a new London home on Cowcross Street in Clerkenwell and is set to launch later this month.

How I Got Here: Tim Thornton

16-Jun-2021 By James McAllister

The founder of the newly launched Base Face Pizza in London's Hammersmith on swapping life as a jazz musician for a career in restaurants.

Dinerama site to be reborn as LALALAND

14-Jun-2021 By Joe Lutrario

The former Dinerama site in Shoreditch is to be reopened as LALALAND - a ‘lush garden of food, drink and rendezvous set in the urban scape of East London’.

Eggslut chooses Shoreditch for third UK site

14-Jun-2021 By Joe Lutrario

Eggslut has taken the former The Good Yard site on Shoreditch’s Leonard Street for its third UK restaurant.

Mark Greenaway doubles up with a second pie and mash site

10-Jun-2021 By Restaurant

Scottish chef Mark Greenaway has opened a second site of his Greenaway’s Pie & Mash concept.

Mercato Metropolitano to open Ilford market in November

10-Jun-2021 By James McAllister

Food market Mercato Metropolitano has confirmed it will launch its long-awaited Ilford site in November.

Popeyes sets out senior team ahead of UK launch

09-Jun-2021 By James McAllister

US fried chicken chain Popeyes has unveiled the senior team that will lead the business when it enters the UK market later this year.

Jollibee: 'No reason we can’t beat KFC in Europe'

08-Jun-2021 By Finn Scott-Delany

Jollibee was treated as something of a curiosity when it landed in the UK in Earl’s Court.

Boxpark heads to Bristol for first Boxhall location

08-Jun-2021 By James McAllister

Boxpark is to debut its new sibling concept Boxhall next summer in Bristol, marking the group's first opening outside of London.

Market Halls launches CVA proposals

01-Jun-2021 By James McAllister

Market Halls has launched a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) proposal for four group entities in a bid to secure its future following more than a year of closure.

The Athenian’s Neo Christodoulou to go it alone with Smashing Plates (updated)

27-May-2021 By James McAllister

The Athenian co-founder Neo Christodoulou has left the Greek street food business and is preparing to launch a rival brand called Smashing Plates.

Base Face Pizza scores first permanent site

25-May-2021 By James McAllister

A pizza concept launched in lockdown as a charitable fundraiser is set to open its first bricks and mortar site in London's Hammersmith next month.

Télémaque Argyriou to launch Greek concept Kalimera as permanent restaurant in Crouch End

21-May-2021 By James McAllister

Chef Télémaque Argyriou is to launch his contemporary Greek concept Kalimera as a permanent restaurant in London's Crouch End next month.

How I Got Here: Lily Bovey

19-May-2021 By James McAllister

The founder of STAKEhaus, who has just launched 'climate positive' burger brand GROUND with The Ethical Butcher, on her love of the street food scene and hopes for a more sustainable future.

Japanese handroll bar Temaki to open in Brixton

14-May-2021 By James McAllister

Japanese handroll bar Temaki is to open its debut site on Market Row in London's Brixton next month.

The Lowdown: Restaurant radio stations

13-May-2021 By Joe Lutrario

Infamous pirate radio station Kurupt FM is taking over Subway’s in-store radio network next week. Hold tight for the rhythm...

Seven Dials Market to reopen with four new traders

13-May-2021 By Joe Lutrario

Covent Garden food hall Seven Dials Market will reopen on 17 May with four new traders that started out in London streets and markets.

Le Bab's late-night Kebab house to launch next week

11-May-2021 By Joe Lutrario

The Le Bab trio’s late-night kebab shop will open as indoor dining resumes, offering an eclectic menu that plays around with the post-pub staple.

Pubs and restaurants in England will be able to reopen on 17 May, Prime Minister confirms

10-May-2021 By James McAllister

Boris Johnson has confirmed that indoor hospitality settings will be able to unlock next Monday (17 May), as England moves into the third phase of its roadmap out of lockdown.

Generation Next

Finding the Ji spot – why Mr Ji is ditching grab-and-go and embracing a chef-led approach

10-May-2021 By James McAllister

Taiwanese chicken joint Mr Ji has scrapped its grab-and-go model and relaunched as a full-service restaurant with an expanded menu created by TĀ TĀ Eatery’s Ana Gonçalves and Zijun Meng.

UKHospitality pushes for further support to 'help deliver a viable recovery' for sector

10-May-2021 By James McAllister

UKHospitality has suggested it could work with the Treasury to develop a more targeted loan scheme that recognises the acute difficulties the sector faces as it emerges from the pandemic.

Judy Joo to launch a second Seoul Bird

07-May-2021 By Joe Lutrario

Judy Joo has chosen Canary Wharf’s Jubilee Place for her second Seoul Bird restaurant.

Latest opening: Shelter Hall

06-May-2021 By Joe Lutrario

Dan Warne’s Brighton Beach-based food hall has reopened for outdoor dining with new traders and a far more finished look.

Maray group to open Sabich in Liverpool's Duke Street Market

04-May-2021 By Restaurant

The team behind Liverpool-based restaurant group Maray is to open a Middle Eastern-inspired casual concept in the city’s Duke Street Market.

Friday Five: the week's top news

30-Apr-2021 By James McAllister

This week's main hospitality news stories include Russell Norman's new restaurant announcement, Karen Jones joining Deliveroo, and The Cinnamon Club paying tribute to 'hero' waiter Folajimi Olubunmi-Adewole.

Pandemic wipes out £80.8bn of sales in hospitality

30-Apr-2021 By James McAllister

The Covid-19 pandemic has wiped a staggering £80.8bn off hospitality’s sales in just 12 months, the latest edition of the UKHospitality Quarterly Tracker with CGA reveals.

Reduction of EU workers puts squeeze on hospitality

30-Apr-2021 By James McAllister

The impact of the pandemic and post-Brexit immigration systems has led to a 'significant reduction' in EU nationals working in the hospitality sector, research from Fourth reveals.

Two fifths of consumers say technology improves their hospitality experiences

29-Apr-2021 By Restaurant

Having accepted the need for technology in hospitality during the pandemic, consumers have discovered just how much tech improves their hospitality journey, according to the latest GO Technology report.

Outdoor regulations 'causing chaos' ahead of reopening of Northern Ireland hospitality

29-Apr-2021 By James McAllister

Hospitality Ulster has accused the Northern Ireland Executive of failing to engage properly with the sector ahead of the country's planned reopening of outdoor hospitality settings tomorrow (30 April).

Karen Jones joins Deliveroo as non-executive director

28-Apr-2021 By James McAllister

Prezzo executive chair Karen Jones has been appointed to Deliveroo's board as a non-executive director, alongside former Coca-Cola Europe chief executive Dominique Reiniche.

UK’s first Persian hospitality network launches for food and hospitality professionals

27-Apr-2021 By James McAllister

A social networking platform aiming to celebrate and raise awareness of Persian people and brands in the UK hospitality sector has launched this week.

Artisan flatbread concept Manakish & Naanza targets nationwide rollout

27-Apr-2021 By James McAllister

Artisan flatbread concept Manakish & Naanza is targeting a nationwide rollout as it prepares to launch its debut site on Neal Street in London’s Covent Garden.

Eataly finally set to make UK debut next week

20-Apr-2021 By James McAllister

Italian food hall chain Eataly has confirmed it will finally launch its long-awaited first UK site next Thursday (29 April).

Adria Wu to launch new delivery concept

19-Apr-2021 By James McAllister

Chef Adria Wu is to launch a London-based, delivery-only concept that will serve as a sister brand to her six-strong natural food and juice bar group maple&CO.

Choppaluna plans aggressive expansion with over 60 new sites in the pipeline

16-Apr-2021 By James McAllister

Salad-focused fast casual brand Choppaluna is set for aggressive expansion across the UK.

McDonald's mandates anti-harassment training worldwide

15-Apr-2021 By James McAllister

McDonald's is to implement new global brand standards to combat harassment, discrimination and violence in its restaurants, starting next year.

Slice by Pizza Pilgrims scores second site

15-Apr-2021 By James McAllister

Pizza Pilgrims has secured a second London site for its aptly named New York pizza-by-the-slice concept Slice, joining the line-up of street food operators at Swingers West End.

Sessions Market secures further investment ahead of 'ambitious' year of growth

13-Apr-2021 By James McAllister

Food hall operator Sessions Market has secured further investment and strengthened its senior team ahead of plans to 'accelerate' growth over the next year and beyond.

Mac and Wild duo get the ball rolling on SIXES expansion

09-Apr-2021 By Joe Lutrario

Mac and Wild founders Andy Waugh and Calum Mackinnon are planning to rollout their cricket-based competitive socialising concept SIXES, with sites planned for Fitzrovia, Manchester and Oxford.

Welsh operator hits Government with legal challenge over hospitality reopening

08-Apr-2021 By James McAllister

A street food operator in Wales has launched a legal challenge against the Welsh Government's failure to set out a reopening date for indoor hospitality.

Festival-style food and entertainment venue to launch as al fresco lockdown lifts

08-Apr-2021 By Restaurant

An outdoor festival-style street food, drinks, and entertainment venue will open in North Shields next month to take advantage of the lifting of restrictions on outside dining.

Camile Thai launches 'neighbourhood' kitchen as delivery-only push increases

08-Apr-2021 By Restaurant

Camile Thai Kitchen is opening its first 'neighbourhood' kitchen in the capital as part of its plans to grow its presence in the delivery-only space.

The Orange Buffalo secures second permanent site

07-Apr-2021 By James McAllister

New York-style chicken wing brand The Orange Buffalo has secured its second bricks and mortar site in the capital, on Argyll Street in Soho, which it will launch next week.

Wasabi founder brings Korea's Pelicana chicken brand to UK

07-Apr-2021 By Joe Lutrario

Wasabi founder Dong Hyun Kim is set to rapidly expand South Korean fried chicken brand Pelicana in the capital following the acquisition of four sites.

Wendy's eyes Croydon opening

07-Apr-2021 By James McAllister

US burger chain Wendy’s is set to launch a restaurant in Croydon, for what could mark its first London opening since announcing its return to the UK market.

Chilango to open its first digital-only venue

06-Apr-2021 By Restaurant

Chilango is to open its first digital-only venue next month, in Croydon.

Rolling on: Tortilla looking to expand "quite aggressively” post lockdown

01-Apr-2021 By Andrew Don

Tortilla is seeking new locations to make the most of opportunities that present themselves in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Mediterranean pitta and dips concept Keff to open in Camden Market

31-Mar-2021 By Restaurant

Online Mediterranean dips and salads shop Keff is making the move to bricks and mortar mid next month with a site at Camden Market’s North Yard.

Outdoor food and drink venue St. Felix Place to open in Borough

31-Mar-2021 By James McAllister

Venue Group, the London-based company backed by Mumford & Sons founding member Ben Lovett, is to launch a new outdoor food and drink space in Borough next month.

Bubblewrap plans 'aggressive' expansion across UK

26-Mar-2021 By Restaurant

Chinatown-based bubble waffle concept Bubblewrap, which is credited with starting the craze for the Hong Kong dessert on these shores, has unveiled plans to roll out across the UK and internationally.