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Thunderbird plans clutch of new openings as it strengthens senior team

11-May-2021 By James McAllister

London-based premium fried chicken brand Thunderbird is planning a clutch of openings as it ramps up expansion following a recent 'relaunch' of the brand.

Fino Tapas launches £2m expansion drive

10-May-2021 By James McAllister

Preston-based Spanish restaurant Fino Tapas is to open four new locations this year as part of a £2m expansion plan, with a view to establishing further sites in the future.

Pret a Manger found not guilty of food safety offence

05-May-2021 By Georgi Gyton

Pret A Manger has been found not guilty of a food allergy offence, dating back to 2017, in which Isobel Colnaghi suffered a severe allergic reaction from a sandwich containing sesame.

Island Poké signs up UK franchise partners as part of plans to treble its estate

05-May-2021 By Restaurant

Island Poké has signed up its first two UK franchise partners as part of its plans to treble its estate in the UK over the next five years.

Poke House to make UK debut after acquiring Ahi Poké

30-Apr-2021 By Restaurant

Italian poke chain Poke House is to make its debut in London following the acquisition of UK poke brand Ahi Poké.

Jollibee confirms six new UK openings as it prepares to launch London flagship

29-Apr-2021 By James McAllister

Filipino fast food chain Jollibee has confirmed plans to open six new UK sites this year as it looks to ramp up its expansion drive across Europe.

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Digital dynamism: staying connected with diners in a contactless era

28-Apr-2021 By Restaurant

More personalised marketing, slicker service and greater efficiencies are just some of the benefits of the new era of digital order and pay

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.

Hawthorn acquires 14-strong pub package

27-Apr-2021 By Stefan Chomka

Community pub group Hawthorn has bought 14 pubs from Everards of Leicestershire as part of its plans to expand its nationwide pub portfolio.

Emma Woods to step down as Wagamama CEO

19-Apr-2021 By James McAllister

Wagamama chief executive Emma Woods has announced she plans to step down from the role and hand over to her internally appointed successor, Thomas Heier.

Tom Crowley named as Popeyes UK chief executive

19-Apr-2021 By Restaurant

US fried chicken brand Popeyes has appointed Tom Crowley as its UK chief executive.

Le Pain Quotidien bolsters vegan offering

15-Apr-2021 By Joe Lutrario

Bakery and café chain Le Pain Quotidien is to increase its number of vegan options and introduce a number of other sustainable initiatives as it starts to reopen for eat-in customers.

Rosa’s Thai Café pushes on with expansion

14-Apr-2021 By James McAllister

Rosa’s Thai Café is planning to open up to six new restaurants over the next year, as well as continuing to grow its portfolio of delivery-only 'cloud' kitchens.

The Tapas Room to open fifth London restaurant

13-Apr-2021 By Restaurant

Spanish wine bar group The Tapas Room will open its fifth and largest venue next month in Peckham.

WingShack Co lines up seven restaurants

12-Apr-2021 By Joe Lutrario

WingShack Co has unveiled ambitious expansion plans with five new locations expected to open in London alongside a further two outside the capital this year.

Purezza heads to Manchester for first northern outpost

12-Apr-2021 By James McAllister

Vegan pizza brand Purezza is to launch its first northern outpost in Manchester next month.

Inception Group to take on Axa over business interruption insurance

12-Apr-2021 By James McAllister

London-based hospitality company Inception Group is to launch a legal challenge against insurer Axa in a bid to recover millions of pounds in business interruption payouts.

Ramen specialist Tonkotsu heads to Brighton

09-Apr-2021 By James McAllister

Ramen restaurant chain Tonkotsu has secured its first permanent restaurant outside the capital, in Brighton.

Loungers to open four more venues in “tenant-friendly environment” post lockdown

09-Apr-2021 By Restaurant

Loungers will grow its estate to 172 restaurants and bars by the end of the May with the opening of four new venues as it looks to get back on track to opening 25 sites a year.

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.

WatchHouse coffee to double in size to 12 this year

08-Apr-2021 By Joe Lutrario

Upscale London coffee brand WatchHouse is to open five new sites in the capital as well as its first site outside of London, in Bath, taking its total number of sites to 12 before the year is out.

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.

Insurance saga continues as Black and White launches fresh group action

01-Apr-2021 By Joe Lutrario

Black and White Hospitality has launched a group action against its own insurers Tokio Marine Kiln in its continuing fight to get the firm to honour its obligations under business interruption policies.

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.

Gordon Ramsay's Street Pizza heads for Wandsworth

30-Mar-2021 By James McAllister

Gordon Ramsay is to continue the rollout of his Street Pizza brand with a new opening at Battersea Power Station next month.

Bone Daddies to expand Wing Daddies concept across London

26-Mar-2021 By James McAllister

Ramen restaurant Bone Daddies is to rollout its virtual chicken wing-centric brand Wing Daddies across the capital.

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.

Greggs: transport hubs and drive-thrus offer post pandemic opportunities

25-Mar-2021 By Finn Scott-Delany

Transport hubs still present a great opportunity, even if only half as busy as at previous levels, according to Greggs’ CEO Roger Whiteside.

Leon exits the US but doesn’t rule out second chance

25-Mar-2021 By Georgi Gyton

Leon has decided to exit the US market after just two years, closing its four sites across Washington DC and Virginia in order to focus on the UK and Europe.

Jo Fleet joins Hawksmoor to head up its nationwide meal kit business

23-Mar-2021 By Restaurant

Jo Fleet, former managing director at Flat Iron and Wahaca, has joined steakhouse group Hawksmoor to head up its nationwide meal kit distribution and London restaurant delivery operations.

Pure launches membership scheme as it prepares to reopen estate

23-Mar-2021 By James McAllister

Health-focused grab and go brand Pure is launching a new subscription membership service, which will give users a 20% discount, to coincide with the reopening of selected sites for takeaway.

US fried chicken chain Popeyes to enter UK market with more than 300 sites planned

23-Mar-2021 By James McAllister

US fried chicken chain Popeyes is to launch its first UK restaurant this year as part of an expansion drive to open more than 300 sites across the country.

Chipotle heads to Chiswick

22-Mar-2021 By James McAllister

Chipotle is to open a new London location later this summer, having taken on the former Byron restaurant Chiswick High Road.

Tim Hortons to open drive-thru restaurant in Sheffield

19-Mar-2021 By Restaurant

Canadian restaurant brand Tim Hortons is continuing with its UK expansion plans with the opening of its first drive-thru restaurant in Yorkshire.

The Lowdown: TGI Fridays at 35

18-Mar-2021 By Restaurant

The American restaurant and bar chain celebrates its 35th birthday in the UK today (18 March), making it one of the most enduring restaurant groups on these shores.

Honest Burgers appoints Frank Hayes as its first CEO

10-Mar-2021 By Stefan Chomka

Honest Burgers has appointed Frank Hayes, a former director at Spirit Group, as its first CEO.

The Restaurant Group looks to raise £175m to grow its Wagamama and pub brands as reopening beckons

10-Mar-2021 By Restaurant

The Restaurant Group (TRG) is looking to raise £175m as part of its ‘Restructured, Recapitalised and Ready for Relaunch’ plans.