Casual Dining

The Breakfast Club partners with SSP for London Gatwick restaurant

09-Mar-2023 By Restaurant

The Breakfast Club has partnered with travel hub food and beverage operator SSP to open a restaurant at London Gatwick.

Marugame Udon hits double figures with The Strand opening

08-Mar-2023 By Restaurant

Japanese noodle group Marugame Udon will open its 10th restaurant in the UK this month, on London’s The Strand.

The Restaurant Group to further shrink leisure estate as losses widen

08-Mar-2023 By James McAllister

The Restaurant Group (TRG) is to offload a further 35 sites from its leisure estate and has posted widening losses as it looks to face down pressure from activist investors.

Activist investor threatens to push for removal of TRG boss

07-Mar-2023 By James McAllister

An activist investor in The Restaurant Group (TRG) has threatened to push for the removal of UK casual dining operator's boss unless he delivers a shake-up of the struggling business.

Big Mamma to open 'intimate trattoria' Carlotta in Marylebone

07-Mar-2023 By Restaurant

Big Mamma has announced the opening of another restaurant in the capital, this time in Marylebone.

Rare Restaurants confirms closure of two London venues

07-Mar-2023 By Restaurant

Rare Restaurants has confirmed the closure of two of its London sites - M Restaurant in Victoria and Gaucho in Smithfield.

Gordon Ramsay Restaurants to reopen Pizza East Shoreditch next week

06-Mar-2023 By James McAllister

Pizza East's flagship restaurant in London's Shoreditch will reopen next week following the brand's recent acquisition by the Gordon Ramsay group.

The Lowdown: Starbucks’ olive oil coffee

03-Mar-2023 By Stefan Chomka

The coffee chain founder Howard Shultz has found a slick way of trying to boost coffee sales.

El Mexicana restaurant group saved in pre-pack deal

03-Mar-2023 By Restaurant

Grab and go Mexican restaurant group El Mexicana has been bought out of administration.

The Wolseley Hospitality Group set to double estate as it plots international rollout

03-Mar-2023 By James McAllister

The Wolseley Hospitality Group (TWHG) is to open offshoots of its eponymous restaurant brand across the UK, Asia and the Middle East under plans to more than double its estate.

Bibimbap to open second Scottish site in Edinburgh

03-Mar-2023 By Restaurant

Glasgow-based grab and go style Korean diner Bibimbap will open a second restaurant this spring in the Scottish capital.

Jamie Oliver Restaurants plots India expansion

03-Mar-2023 By Restaurant

Jamie Oliver Restaurants plans to treble its footprint in India and expand to new territories across the subcontinent.

Fast food restaurant Cheatmeals heads to Soho

02-Mar-2023 By Restaurant

Fast food restaurant group Cheatmeals is opening on the site of the former Ed’s Easy Diner on the corner of Old Compton Street and Moor Street in Soho.

Wendy’s aims to reach 45 UK sites by the end of 2023

02-Mar-2023 By James McAllister

Wendy’s is looking to add at least a further 15 sites to its UK estate this year.

Fat Hippo heads to Soho as it plots further expansion

02-Mar-2023 By James McAllister

Northern-based burger brand Fat Hippo will open its second London restaurant this summer, on Wardour Street in Soho.

Anna Higham and Paris Barghchi to open Quince bakery in Islington

02-Mar-2023 By Restaurant

Pastry chef Anna Higham and hospitality professional Paris Barghchi will open Quince bakery in Islington this summer.

Various Eateries makes progress amid challenging backdrop

28-Feb-2023 By Finn Scott-Delany

Various Eateries has reported 'positive trading performance against a challenging backdrop' as it grew revenues by 82% to £40.7m in 2022, up from £22.3m in 2021.

Pret faces questions after axing smoothies and frappes

22-Feb-2023 By Finn Scott-Delany

Pret A Manger is facing questions over its coffee subscription after announcing smoothies and frappes are being scrapped from its range.

'Significant turning point' as hospitality sales growth outpaces inflation in January

22-Feb-2023 By James McAllister

Britain’s leading managed pub, bar and restaurant groups achieved like-for-like sales growth of 10.9% in January 2023, the new edition of the Coffer CGA Business Tracker reveals.

Confidence rises among hospitality businesses

21-Feb-2023 By Restaurant

Leaders at Britain’s hospitality groups remain cautiously optimistic about the future despite spiralling costs, research has shown.

Insomnia Cookies to make UK launch

20-Feb-2023 By Shwetali Sapte

Late-night cookie concept Insomnia Cookies will launch in the UK this year, with owner Krispy Kreme saying the brand has whitespace for more than 4,000 locations globally.

BrewDog set for 'rapid market growth' in China under new joint venture

20-Feb-2023 By James McAllister

BrewDog is set for major expansion across Greater China after sealing a joint venture partnership in the country with Budweiser China.

Restaurant delivery and takeaway sales continue to slide

20-Feb-2023 By Restaurant

Restaurant delivery and takeaway sales continue to fall as consumers tighten their spending at the start of 2023.

Bill's shutters a further 12 sites

17-Feb-2023 By James McAllister

All-day restaurant group Bill's has confirmed it shuttered a further 12 sites amid 'difficult market conditions' following the removal of Covid-19 restrictions.

The Wolseley Hospitality Group's Baton Berisha to speak at March's R200 conference

16-Feb-2023 By Restaurant

Baton Berisha, newly appointed CEO at The Wolseley Hospitality Group; Charlie Gilkes, co-founder of progressive bar business Inception Group; Prue Freeman, founder of creative all-day dining group Daisy Green Collection; and Brindisa founders Monika Linton...

The Restaurant Group under fire from Hong Kong-based shareholder

16-Feb-2023 By Restaurant

A shareholder in The Restaurant Group (TRG) has called for an ‘immediate and near-term’ change of governance at the business following what it says has been poor performance in its share prices.

Ossett Brewery to open Pizza on the Square in Malton

16-Feb-2023 By Restaurant

The Ossett Brewery Group, which owns microbrewery SALT BrewingCo, is to open a pizza restaurant and bar in Malton this month.

Book review: BAO

16-Feb-2023 By Stefan Chomka

Erchen Chang, Shing Tat Chung, and Wai Ting Chung Taiwanese cookbook is a celebration of sole dining.

Taro to open on former Manze Pie & Mash shop site

16-Feb-2023 By Restaurant

Japanese restaurant group Taro is to open its sixth London venue at the site of former Manze Pie & Mash shop in Walthamstow.

Latest opening: Jacuzzi

15-Feb-2023 By James McAllister

Big Mamma has gone west for its latest London restaurant – a bougie, bucolic ‘pleasure palace’ where even a disco toilet doesn’t look out of place.

Dinner occasions decrease as cost of living prevents increase in consumer frequency

15-Feb-2023 By James McAllister

Dinner occasions have decreased and the rising cost of living has prevented consumers from increasing frequency of occasions post Covid, according to new data from Lumina Intelligence.

Tinwood Estate to open a restaurant

15-Feb-2023 By Restaurant

Sussex vineyard Tinwood Estate will open an onsite restaurant in the spring.

Pret A Manger hires 250 Ukrainian refugees

15-Feb-2023 By Restaurant

Pret A Manger has hired 250 Ukrainian refugees as part of its employment programme set up to support people fleeing the war.

188 restaurant companies became insolvent in December 2022

15-Feb-2023 By Restaurant

Restaurant company insolvencies in December 2022 were at the highest number than the past four years, new data has shown.

Popeyes aiming to open multiple drive-thru locations this year

14-Feb-2023 By James McAllister

Popeyes has confirmed it will open its first drive-thru location in the UK in the coming months in Rotherham, with further roadside sites set to launch later this year.

Manchester's Sugo Pasta Kitchen changes name following challenge

14-Feb-2023 By Restaurant

Manchester restaurant Sugo Pasta Kitchen has changed its name following a challenge from a rival business.

Honest Burgers proposes to scrap paid breaks

14-Feb-2023 By Georgi Gyton

Honest Burgers is looking to scrap paid breaks for staff, which it introduced during the pandemic.

Gordon Ramsay Group acquires Pizza East Shoreditch

13-Feb-2023 By James McAllister

Gordon Ramsay Group has acquired the Pizza East brand as well as the group's flagship restaurant in London's Shoreditch, which it is set to reopen in the coming months.

Pub and bar insolvencies jump by 83% in past year

13-Feb-2023 By James McAllister

Pub and bar company insolvencies have increased by 83% in the past year, according to new data from UHY Hacker Young.

The Lowdown: Kricket’s Fried Chicken Challenge

10-Feb-2023 By James McAllister

Kricket founders Will Bowlby and Rik Campbell hosted their inaugural Fried Chicken Challenge this week, with Black Bear Burger crowned as the capital’s chicken king.

Former Brat chefs to helm Kentish Town pub The Parakeet

09-Feb-2023 By James McAllister

Former Brat chefs Ben Allen and Ed Jennings will helm a new 'culinary-led' pub and dining room that's set to open in Kentish Town, London, in March.

Coco di Mama to open first regional flagship

09-Feb-2023 By James McAllister

Quick-service Italian chain Coco di Mama is to open its first site outside of the capital this week on Broad Street in Reading.

Jamie Oliver Kitchen to open in Berlin as part of new franchise deal

09-Feb-2023 By Restaurant

Jamie Oliver Restaurants (JOR) has signed its first franchise partner in Berlin.

Wingstop moves into retail parks

08-Feb-2023 By Shwetali Sapte

Wingstop UK has announced plans to open its first standalone retail unit at Gallions Reach Retail Park in Beckton, East London, in spring 2023.

How I Got Here: Dumo Mathema

08-Feb-2023 By James McAllister

The head of coffee at Brighton-based café chain Small Batch on how his job brings creative freedom, and the importance of listening to and learning from others.

Biershenke heads to Covent Garden

07-Feb-2023 By James McAllister

Munich-style beer hall brand Bierschenke has acquired the former Belgo Centraal site in Covent Garden for its next London location with a view to opening in the spring.

Clean Kitchen Club overhauls estate as it targets further growth

07-Feb-2023 By James McAllister

Plant-based fast food brand Clean Kitchen Club has closed its Notting Hill site and is to refurbish its Camden restaurant as part of an overhaul of its estate.

Great North Pie Co to open at Manchester's Kampus

07-Feb-2023 By Restaurant

Pie maker Great North Pie Co will open kitchen and bar in Manchester city centre later this month.

Alex Claridge and Brad Carter to speak as Generation Next heads to Birmingham

06-Feb-2023 By James McAllister

Alex Claridge and Brad Carter are among those scheduled to speak at the forthcoming Generation Next event, which will be held at The Gatehouse at the Bond in Birmingham on Wednesday 1 March.

Nico Simeone to open third Six by Nico in Glasgow

03-Feb-2023 By Restaurant

Nico Simeone is continuing his expansion across Glasgow with the opening of a third Six by Nico in the Scottish city.