Friday Five: the week's top news
- Pied à Terre owner David Moore is making a move in to the London pub sector after acquiring The Devereux, just off The Strand. The restaurateur has teamed up with publican Tony Bennet for the project, which he wants to reopen as a "proper pub with excellent food and drink, without any pretence".
- The list of Ed's Easy Diner and Giraffe sites earmarked for closure under the Company Voluntary Agreement (CVA) covering the two brands has been revealed. If the CVA is approved on 21 March it will trigger fresh investment from the brand's owner Boparan Restaurant Group, which is believed to be willing to plough a further £10m in to the estate.
- Steve Richards is to step down as CEO of Casual Dining Group (CDG), the operator of Las Iguanas, Bella Italia and Cafe Rouge, after over five years. A search for his replacement is currently underway, and he will depart the business at the end of May to join Parkdean Holidays as CEO.
- PizzaExpress is vying for a slice of the grab-and-go sector with the launch of its pizza by the slice concept, Za, in London. The site offers slices for around £4, alongside sandwiches, salads, fruit and dessert pots. It's the first time the 54-year-old company has launched a new restaurant brand since Reys, a Cambridge chicken concept which failed to get off the ground in 2015.
- The chef line-up and theme for this year's series of Great British Menu has been revealed ahead of 2019 premiere on BBC Two on 12 March. See who's taking part here.
For more of this week's news, click here.
