Friday Five: the week's top news
- The owners of Wagamama are reportedly considering a sale of the business in a bid to kick-start its US expansion. The noodle chain, which has c.180 sites worldwide, saw like-for-like sales rise 8.2% in the three months to January 28, with analysts valuing the business at more than £750m.
- Two Fat Duck alumni have announced early plans to launch a restaurant in London in 2019. Chef Jonny Lake and master sommelier Isa Bal, who worked together for over 12 years under Heston Blumenthal, say the collaborative project will highlight their shared passion for "interesting flavour combinations".
- The Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park says a "full investigation" is underway in to the cause of a major fire at the hotel on Wednesday, weeks after it completed the "most extensive" multi-million pound renovation in its 115-year history. No injuries were reported when 36 guests and 250 staff were evacuated to escape the blaze.
- Former Gordon Ramsay Group managing director Stuart Gillies has piqued speculation he could launch a solo restaurant venture after his departure from the business in February. Companies House lists Gillies as a director of licensed restaurant firm Alfa-Zero, and he registered the trademark 'Wood & Wood' - which is described as relating to restaurants and catering services - in the 11 May Trademark Journal.
- Rosa's Thai Cafe has sold a majority stake in its restaurant group to private equity firm TriSpan. Founders Saiphin and Alex Moore will remain involved in the business, with the next stage of its growth overseen by managing director Gavin Adair and TriSpan's Robin Rowland - former CEO of YO! Sushi.
For more of this week's news, click here.
