Us Chain

Wendy’s to open raft of new restaurants

09-Apr-2024 By Restaurant

US burger giant Wendy’s is continuing its push across the UK with the opening of a string of new restaurants this year.

Little Caesars Pizza makes London debut

21-Mar-2024 By James McAllister

US pizza brand Little Caesars has opened its first London outpost in Greenford.

IHOP and Applebee’s owner targets UK market

22-Jan-2024 By James McAllister

US-based casual dining operator Dine Brands Global is looking to launch a ‘duel-branded restaurant concept’ in the UK that encompasses its IHOP and Applebee’s chains.

Popeyes to open first travel hub location as it ramps up expansion

22-Jan-2024 By Restaurant

Popeyes will open its first travel hub restaurant this year with a site in London’s Waterloo station as part of plans that will see it double its UK estate in 2024.

Little Caesars Pizza plans ‘multiple new sites’ as it launches second UK location

15-Jan-2024 By James McAllister

US pizza brand Little Caesars has opened its second UK outpost in Top Valley, Nottingham, as it gears up for a ‘year of growth’.

TDR Capital takes controlling stake in Popeyes UK

11-Jan-2024 By Restaurant

TDR Capital has increased its shareholding in Popeyes UK, the fast-growing fried chicken brand.

Taco Bell triumphs in US ‘Taco Tuesday’ trademark fight

30-Oct-2023 By James McAllister

Taco Bell has won a lengthy legal battle in the US to cancel trademark restrictions on the popular marketing phrase ‘Taco Tuesday’.

McDonald’s and Wendy’s triumph in US lawsuit over burger size

03-Oct-2023 By James McAllister

McDonald’s and Wendy’s have defeated a New York lawsuit that accused them of misleading diners over the size of their burgers in a case that could potentially have ramifications for similar trials in the US.

US-based Korean fried chicken brand Bonchon looks to take flight in UK

27-Sep-2023 By James McAllister

US-based Korean fried chicken chain Bonchon has partnered with property adviser Christie & Co to bring its fast-expanding concept to the UK.

Chick-fil-A plots UK return

14-Sep-2023 By Restaurant

US fast food chain Chick-fil-A has announced it is planning to relaunch in the UK in early 2025 and expand to five sites within the first two years.

Dunkin’ tees up London flagship amid aim to double UK estate in two years

11-Sep-2023 By James McAllister

Coffee and donut chain Dunkin’ will open a new flagship store in London later this month under plans to double its UK estate over the next two years.

Insomnia Cookies makes UK debut with double Manchester opening

30-Aug-2023 By James McAllister

Late-night cookie concept Insomnia Cookies has made its UK debut this week with a double opening in Manchester.

Subway announces sale to Roark Capital

25-Aug-2023 By James McAllister

Subway has entered into an agreement to be acquired by affiliates of Roark Capital, the owner of US chains Arby’s and Buffalo Wild Wings, for a reported $9.55bn (£7.6bn).

Subway nears $9.6bn sale to Roark Capital

22-Aug-2023 By James McAllister

Sandwich giant Subway is set to be acquired by Roark Capital, the owner of US chains Arby’s and Buffalo Wild Wings, in a deal worth $9.6bn.

Popeyes UK secures £50m funding package to drive next phase of growth

01-Aug-2023 By James McAllister

Popeyes UK has secured £50m of additional funding from private equity firm TDR Capital to accelerate its restaurant opening programme.

The Lowdown: Wings & Rings

28-Jul-2023 By James McAllister

Popeyes UK has launched a wedding catering service for those looking to add a little Cajun spice to their nuptials.

Wendy’s focusing on drive-thrus to build UK footprint

11-May-2023 By Shwetali Sapte

Wendy’s first UK drive-thru is performing ahead of expectations, with the format seen as a key driver for its growth across the country, according to CEO Todd Penegor.

Eggslut moves into food halls with Market Halls partnership

10-May-2023 By James McAllister

‘Gourmet’ QSR brand Eggslut is to open its first London location housed within a food hall under a new partnership with Market Halls.

How I Got Here: Tommy Lee

05-Apr-2023 By James McAllister

The US-born CEO of Californian-based pizzeria 800° Degrees Pizza, which made its UK debut earlier this year, on his extensive career in restaurants, and the importance of listening and learning.

Insomnia Cookies names former Deliveroo director as UK MD

24-Mar-2023 By James McAllister

Late-night cookie concept Insomnia Cookies has appointed Ben Lacey as the head of its UK business ahead of the group's plans to launch in the country this year.

Business Profile

Southern pride: the Louisiana fried chicken brand that’s coming in hot

13-Mar-2023 By James McAllister

Following a successful landing on these shores, US brand Popeyes is on course to become a dominant player in the UK’s fried chicken space.

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.

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.

Subway explores $10bn sale

15-Feb-2023 By Restaurant

Sandwich giant Subway has confirmed it is exploring a possible sale.

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.

Wendy’s to launch first UK drive-thru

16-Jan-2023 By James McAllister

Wendy's is to open its first drive-thru location in the UK later this month as part of a new franchise deal for the East of England region.

Pincer movement: Angry Crab Shack chooses UK for first location outside of US

19-Dec-2022 By Joe Lutrario

US-founded Asian-Cajun seafood concept Angry Crab Shack will launch its first ever overseas site just off Leicester Square early next year.

New York's Black Tap 'craft' burgers targets London

07-Dec-2022 By Joe Lutrario

New York-based 'craft' burger group Black Tap is hoping to enter the London market having appointed property consultants Gillingham Bell International and Highland Global to help it identify sites.

Little Caesars Pizza plots return to UK market with 'several' new openings planned

30-Nov-2022 By James McAllister

Little Caesars, one of the world's largest pizza chains, is returning to UK shores some 22 years after exiting the market with four new restaurants planned in the coming months.

Wendy's heads north as it prepares to open first UK franchise site

21-Nov-2022 By James McAllister

Wendy's will open its first UK franchise site next month in Sheffield amid a push to expand into the north of the country.

Popeyes targets 20 new openings in 2023

15-Nov-2022 By James McAllister

Popeyes is targeting 20 new restaurant openings in 2023, including its first drive-thru location.

UK remains ‘the big opportunity in Europe’ for Wendy's

10-Nov-2022 By Georgi Gyton

Wendy’s believes UK remains 'the big opportunity in Europe' despite the impact of cost headwinds and lower sales than expected.

‘Strong’ start for new Chipotle UK restaurants

28-Jul-2022 By Finn Scott-Delany

Chipotle chairman and CEO Brian Niccol has said the performance of the brand’s new UK restaurants is 'really strong'.

Popeyes kickstarts UK rollout

05-Apr-2022 By James McAllister

Popeyes is to open its second UK site in Chelmsford, Essex, as it looks to kickstart its UK rollout.

Wendy’s sets out 2022 UK expansion plans

03-Mar-2022 By Finn Scott-Delany

Wendy’s chief executive Todd Penegor has told analysts the company is 'very pleased' with its launch in the UK as he set out the group's UK expansion plans for 2022.

Wendy's targets 50 UK openings in 2022 after sales exceed expectations

25-Nov-2021 By James McAllister

Wendy's is to ramp up its UK growth plans next year after sales across its fledgling estate exceeded expectations.

Wendy’s sees 'extremely strong' UK sales

11-Nov-2021 By James McAllister

Wendy’s says it is ’extremely excited' about the consumer response to its UK market return, and is on track to have 10 locations open by the end of the year.

Popeyes unveils UK menu ahead of 20 November launch

02-Nov-2021 By James McAllister

US fried chicken brand Popeyes has confirmed its first UK site in London’s Westfield Stratford will open on Saturday 20 November.

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.

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.

Wendy’s: “We’ve had to learn by what we’ve done before”

04-Jun-2021 By James McAllister

Wendy’s is back in the UK for a third bite of the burger, with its arrival in Reading this week heralding the start of a push to open 400 sites across the country.

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.

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.

Wendy's plans 20 UK sites as it prepares for nationwide rollout

04-Mar-2021 By James McAllister

US burger chain Wendy’s is 'on track' to begin opening restaurants in the UK in the coming months, with five sites expected to launch before the end of the year.

Wendy's to open in Oxford

12-Feb-2021 By James McAllister

US burger chain Wendy’s has secured a site in Oxford as it pushes ahead with its plan to return to the UK after more than two decades.

The Halal Guys to permanently close flagship Leicester Square restaurant

04-Feb-2021 By James McAllister

US-founded fast casual chain The Halal Guys will not reopen its flagship London restaurant in Leicester Square.

Chipotle mulls further UK expansion

04-Feb-2021 By James McAllister

Chipotle has suggested it could preparing to grow its UK portfolio.

Slim Chickens signs second franchise deal as it continues to push ahead with roll out

25-Nov-2020 By James McAllister

Boparan Restaurant Group (BRG) has signed a second franchise partner for its US-hatched, fast-casual chicken brand Slim Chickens.

Sbarro eyes expansion as it makes UK debut

09-Nov-2020 By James McAllister

US pizza chain Sbarro has set out plans to potentially open a number of sites across the country having recently established its first UK location.

Wendy’s eyes Reading site as it prepares for return to UK shores

29-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

US burger chain Wendy’s is reportedly looking to acquire a site in Reading for its return to the UK, two decades after previously attempting to conquer these shores.