Casual Dining

Casual dining groups return to sales growth

17-Sep-2018 By Sophie Witts

UK restaurant groups saw a return to sales growth in August after a difficult summer.

Flash-grilled: Monika Linton

14-Sep-2018 By Georgia Bronte

Monika Linton founded Brindisa, one of the capital's most loved Spanish food shops, in the 1980s. Now comprising five tapas restaurants and shops, the group is regarded as one of the most knowledgeable authorities on Spanish food in the UK.

Friday Five: the week's top news

14-Sep-2018 By Sophie Witts

We round-up the top stories in hospitality you might have missed this week

Third Chick 'n' Sours to open in planned CHIK'N site

13-Sep-2018 By Sophie Witts

Carl Clarke and David Wolanksi are to open a third Chick ‘n’ Sours restaurant in London this month.

The Lowdown: the scannable burger

13-Sep-2018 By Georgia Bronte

Modernised-Japanese restaurant Ichibuns is selling a burger with a scannable QR code branded on its bun

Marco Pierre White rejects Michelin Guide at his Singapore restaurant

13-Sep-2018 By Sophie Witts

Marco Pierre White has reportedly brushed off the advances of the Michelin Guide once again with the opening of his first restaurant in Asia.

How I got here: Juliette Wall

13-Sep-2018 By Joe Lutrario

Juliette Wall founded Vietnamese noodle specialist Pho with husband Stephen in 2005. The group has now opened restaurants across the UK, and recently launched its 27th location, in Exeter.

Corbin & King to leave Beaumont Hotel and open ninth restaurant

13-Sep-2018 By Sophie Witts

Corbin & King has confirmed the launch of its next London restaurant project has been pushed back until next year.

Seller of fake TripAdvisor reviews jailed in "landmark" case

12-Sep-2018 By Sophie Witts

A person who posted fake online reviews on TripAdvisor has been jailed in one of the first convictions of its kind.

Opso team finally set to launch casual souvlaki spin-off

12-Sep-2018 By Georgia Bronte

The team behind Marylebone Green restaurant Opso will launch a casual, street food-inspired restaurant Pittabun in Soho this month.

Licensing restrictions force Vinoteca to close Soho site

12-Sep-2018 By Georgi Gyton

Wine bar and restaurant group Vinoteca has closed its premises on Beak Street in Soho due to licensing restrictions, and is looking to relocate to a new site.

The Ivy Collection continues expansion with Canary Wharf park opening scheduled for autumn

12-Sep-2018 By Georgia Bronte

The Ivy Collection will launch an all-day, two-storey brasserie in Canada Square Park this autumn.

Henry Harris to launch The Harlot pub in Chiswick this autumn

11-Sep-2018 By Georgia Bronte

Henry Harris will add another venue to his portfolio of food-led pubs this autumn, with a Chiswick opening scheduled for November.

Rate of decline of licensed UK premises almost doubles in a year

11-Sep-2018 By MCA

The rate of decline for the number of licensed premises in Britain has almost doubled since the last edition of the Market Growth Monitor, from CGA and AlixPartners.

Coffee experts launch Australian-inspired brunch spot and wine bar

10-Sep-2018 By Georgia Bronte

Antipodean-inspired wine bar and brunch and small plates restaurant Milk Beach opened quietly in Queens Park last month, with a former Duck and Waffle head chef at the helm.

UKHospitality calls for Government support to create "post-Brexit workforce"

10-Sep-2018 By Sophie Witts

UKHospitality is calling on the Government to offer greater support to tackle the industry’s staffing crisis.

The Chipping Forecast swims back to Soho to launch permanent site

10-Sep-2018 By Georgia Bronte

Notting Hill fish and chip restaurant The Chipping Forecast is set to open its second site, having taken over the Balls & Company site on Greek Street.

Thali Cafe restaurants bought out of administration

10-Sep-2018 By Mark Wingett

Thali Café, the Bristol-based, Indian restaurant group, has been acquired out of administration by a new private company called Jugaard Ltd.

Corbin & King launches initiative to employ more over 50s workers

10-Sep-2018 By Stefan Chomka

Restaurant group Corbin & King has launched an initiative to employ more people over the age of 50 in a move that it believes will create a better and more diverse workforce.

10 front of house personality types who need retraining

10-Sep-2018 By Tony Naylor

Waiting staff are often seen as serving a mechanical function. But a lack of personality on the floor can be a killer

Sticks'n'Sushi's largest restaurant to launch on 1 October

07-Sep-2018 By Georgia Bronte

Sushi and yakitori restaurant group Sticks’n’Sushi will launch its largest restaurant yet at a site in Chelsea next month.

Friday Five: the week's top news

07-Sep-2018 By Sophie Witts

We round-up some of the top hospitality stories you might have missed this week.

Monty's Deli set for expansion after smashing its second crowdfund

07-Sep-2018 By Georgia Bronte

Jewish deli-inspired restaurant Monty’s Deli has ended its crowdfunding campaign, having raised almost £66k above its £150k target.

The Lowdown: Heckfield Place

06-Sep-2018 By Joe Lutrario

The long-awaited hotel is finally open for business after six years and a revolving door of chefs.

Gourmet chip shop brand targets national expansion

06-Sep-2018 By Finn Scott-Delany

The founders of confectionery importer Innovative Bites are launching a chip shop brand ChipNation, with plans to open 8-10 sites over the next year.

A byte to eat? Cryptocurrency's coming to dinner

06-Sep-2018 By Eloise Sheppard

Call Systems Technology managing director Eloise Sheppard on how cryptocurrency could soon be part of the restaurant world.

London regains title as most expensive place to buy a pint

06-Sep-2018 By Sophie Witts

London has regained its title as the most expensive place to buy a pint of beer in the country.

Core by Clare Smyth is Good Food Guide's highest ever new entry

06-Sep-2018 By Sophie Witts

Clare Smyth’s restaurant Core is the highest ever new entry in the Good Food Guide (GFG), which released its 2019 edition today.

How I got here: Gordon Ker

06-Sep-2018 By Joe Lutrario

A former lawyer, Gordon Ker founded Blacklock in 2013. Specialising in affordably-priced chops, the restaurant was named Best New Scaleable Concept at Restaurant magazine's R200 Awards last year.

Japanese-Mexican fusion restaurant to launch at refurbished Manchester hotel

05-Sep-2018 By Georgia Bronte

A Japanese-Mexican fusion restaurant will launch at a refurbished Manchester hotel next month, following a multi-million-pound investment.

Martin Williams to return to Gaucho under new ownership

05-Sep-2018 By Stefan Chomka

Martin Williams is making a dramatic return to Gaucho four and a half years after leaving the steakhouse group.

We read it for you: six books you need on your shelves

05-Sep-2018 By Georgia Bronte

Restaurant's bookish run-down of the latest publications looks at the offerings from Tommy Banks, James Whetlor, Fredrik Berselius, Matt Abergel, the Gunpowder team, and Robin Gill.

Mandatory calorie labelling for restaurants could lead to price rises, says trade body

05-Sep-2018 By Stefan Chomka

The trade body for the UK hospitality industry has warned that the introduction of mandatory calorie labelling for restaurants could present a serious burden for hospitality businesses and lead to a rise in menu prices.

Neil Gill launches a second restaurant in Stroud Green

05-Sep-2018 By Georgia Bronte

Neil Gill has launched a neighbourhood restaurant in Stroud Green in partnership with local resident Emma Rigby.

Glasgow restaurateur chooses Maryhill to launch new site

04-Sep-2018 By Georgia Bronte

Glasgow entrepreneur Alan Tomkins will open The Botany bar and restaurant in the city’s Maryhill area later this month.

Restaurant Radar: September 2018

03-Sep-2018 By Sophie Witts

We round-up some of the openings to watch this month, including London debuts from Tom Kerridge and Mark Wahlburg (yes really).

Byron CEO: It was "screamingly obvious" the chain needed change

03-Sep-2018 By Sophie Witts

The CEO of Byron has insisted the troubled chain is recovering despite recent warnings about its financial position.

Will Gourmet Burger Kitchen be the next high street casualty?

03-Sep-2018 By Sophie Witts

Gourmet Burger Kitchen (GBK) looks to be the latest restaurant chain preparing to close sites amid falling sales.

The Fab Four: four key tech areas shaping how restaurants are run

31-Aug-2018 By Georgia Bronte

There’s a plethora of technology solutions available online to help hospitality businesses improve operations and achieve efficiency savings.

Latest opening: Redfarm

31-Aug-2018 By Georgia Bronte

Another well-loved restaurant from the States has opened this month, at a site just off the piazza in Covent Garden.

Friday Five: the week's top news

31-Aug-2018 By Sophie Witts

We round-up some of the top hospitality stories you might have missed this week

The Restaurant Group buys Food & Fuel gastropubs for £15m

31-Aug-2018 By Sophie Witts

London gastropub group Food & Fuel has been sold to The Restaurant Group (TRG) for £15.4m.

Coca Cola buys Costa Coffee for £3.9bn

31-Aug-2018 By Georgia Bronte

Whitbread PLC has sold its chain of Costa Coffee shops to Coca Cola for £3.9 billion to focus on growing its other brands.

Marco Pierre White's New York Italian brand closes its Leeds restaurant

31-Aug-2018 By Georgia Bronte

Marco Pierre White’s New York Italian restaurant in Leeds’ Merrion Centre has closed just a year after opening.

Lib Dems call to scrap "badly designed" business rates

30-Aug-2018 By Sophie Witts

UKHospitality has praised proposals by the Liberal Democrats to scrap business rates.

The Lowdown: Jimi Famurewa

30-Aug-2018 By Georgia Bronte

The Evening Standard has appointed its new permanent restaurant critic.

How I got here: Chris Webb, Coco di Mama

30-Aug-2018 By Joe Lutrario

Born in New Zealand, Chris Webb is head of operations at fast casual pasta brand Coco di Mama, which is now operated by ASK and Zizzi owner Azzurri Group.

Jamie Oliver: "I had two hours to save Jamie's Italian"

30-Aug-2018 By Sophie Witts

Jamie Oliver had to inject almost £13m of his own savings in to his restaurant group to stop the business going under.

Fable pulls out of £3m Manchester restaurant opening

29-Aug-2018 By Sophie Witts

Plans to open a £3m pan-Asian restaurant and bar in Manchester’s historic Manchester Hall building have been scrapped.

Matt Whiley to expand the food offering at relocated Scout

29-Aug-2018 By Georgia Bronte

The founder of cocktail consultancy company Talented Mr Fox, Matt Whiley, will relocate his award-winning cocktail bar to a larger, double-concept Hackney site next month.