More than one in 10 restaurants facing ‘imminent risk of closure’
More than 6,000 restaurants in the UK face closure in the next 12 months, according to an assessment of financial data by Price Bailey
Business & Legislation
Glynn Purnell promises ‘mutually agreeable’ solutions for customers seeking voucher refunds following restaurant closure
Glynn Purnell has promised he has ‘a number of solutions and proposals in mind’ to support customers seeking refunds for vouchers to his flagship Birmingham restaurant, which closed last month.
Mr Bao founders formalise business as 6 of 1 group
The founders of London restaurants Mr Bao, Daddy Bao and Master Bao have formalised their group under the name 6 of 1 ahead of plans to develop new concepts.
Wendy’s to expand into the South West following new franchise deal
US fast food chain Wendy’s will soon make its debut in the South West of England following a deal with franchise organisation Khidmat Limited.
Cornwall restaurant Appleton's announces sudden closure
Husband and wife team Andy and Lyndsey Appleton have closed their Cornwall restaurant ‘with immediate effect’.
Pizza Hut Restaurants brings in advisers to find buyer or new investors
Pizza Hut’s biggest UK franchisee has brought in advisers from Interpath Advisory to find new investors or a buyer amid warnings about the impact of the Budget on the business.
Government sets out legislation to permanently cut business rates for the high street
Draft legislation to permanently cut business rates for retail, hospitality and leisure properties from 2026 has been published.
Blacklock sells minority stake to BGF
Business Growth Fund (BGF) has acquired a minority stake in London-based chophouse group Blacklock.
Just Eat offloads Grubhub at steep discount
Just Eat Takeaway.com is to sell its US food delivery platform Grubhub to Wonder Group for $650m (£510m), little more than three years after acquiring the business for $7.3bn (£5.75bn).
Haché shutters four sites as it prepares to appoint administrators
London-based burger and brassiere brand Haché has filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators having closed nearly all of its London sites.
Big Table considers cutting hours in response to Budget
The Big Table Group is considering plans to cut opening hours in response to the Chancellor’s decision to raise National Insurance contributions (NICs) for employers.
The Nero Group acquires FCB Coffee
Caffè Nero and Coffee#1 owner The Nero Group has added London-based coffee business FCB Coffee to its growing portfolio.
UKHospitality: Interest rate cut ‘significantly overshadowed’ by Budget increases
UKHospitality has described the cut to interest rates announced today (7 November) as a ‘short term benefit’ that will be ‘significantly overshadowed’ by the impact of the recent Autumn Budget.
The Chilli Pickle launches crowdfund to help support its relocation
Highly-rated Brighton Indian restaurant The Chilli Pickle has launched a crowdfund to aid its upcoming relocation from Jubilee Square to a new site in The Lanes.
Government confirms hospitality settings to be exempt from smoking ban extension
The Government has confirmed that hospitality settings will not be included in its plans to extend the indoor smoking ban to a number of open-air spaces.
Dishoom seeks investment partner as it plots US expansion
Dishoom has appointed advisors as its seeks an investor to help fund a move into the US.
RMT union calls off tube strikes planned for November
Members of the RMT union have called off plans to strike across the London Underground over the coming week following discussions over pay.
Restaurant publishes its Power List
A report outlining the most influential people in the UK restaurant sector has been published by Restaurant.
UKHospitality: Budget to increase cost of employing full-time staff member ‘by at least £2,500’
The employment tax measures outlined in this week’s Budget will increase the cost of employing a full-time staff member ‘by at least £2,500’, according to new analysis by UKHospitality.
Tortilla to target more travel hubs as it expands SSP partnership
Tortilla is aiming to triple its number of travel hub locations under an expansion of its partnership with SSP.
Autumn Budget: ‘Latest blow for hospitality businesses’ as NI rise confirmed and rates support slashed
Hospitality businesses face a double whammy of tax rises with employers facing a rise in National Insurance contributions (NICs) and a cut in business rates support.
Poon’s London secures retail listings at Ocado and Booths
Chinese restaurant brand Poon’s London has secured listings at Ocado and Booths for its growing range of sauces and dressings.
Wage rises to ‘cost hospitality £1.9bn’
UKHospitality has warned that businesses are approaching today’s (30 October) Budget with ‘even more trepidation’ after the Government confirmed plans to rise the National Living Wage.
Has Chipotle’s time in the UK finally come?
Having taken a decade to find its feet in the UK, the US burrito brand is at last starting to establish itself as a major QSR player on these shores.
Minimum wage set for above inflation rise
The Chancellor is expected to announce an above inflation rise to the minimum wage in tomorrow’s (30 November) Budget.
Caffè Nero acquires Nottingham-based rival 200 Degrees
Premium coffee house brand Caffè Nero has completed the purchase of Nottingham-based coffee brand 200 Degrees.
Haché drafts advisors as it considers sale options
London-based burger and brassiere brand Haché has drafted in advisers to explore a sale.
At his majesty’s pleasure: Greene King invests in two more prison kitchens
Greene King has invested in two new kitchens in HMP Onley and HMP Perth to train inmates to work in its pub kitchens upon release.
Flat Iron explores sale
Affordable steakhouse chain Flat Iron has confirmed the appointment of advisers to review its strategic options after delivering record sales in its latest financial year.
Pizza Pilgrims looks to relaunch Slice concept as it appoints advisors to assess strategic options
Pizza Pilgrims has appointed advisors to explore strategic and investment options for its next stage of expansion, which includes a relaunch of its spin-off QSR brand Slice.
Martin Williams departs Gaucho operator Rare Restaurants
Martin Williams has stepped down from his role as CEO of Gaucho and M and its holding company Rare Restaurants.
Bristol’s Casa closes its doors
Peter Sanchez-Iglesias’s Bristol restaurant Casa appears to have ceased operating.
Smoking ban for pub gardens and restaurant terraces to be dropped
Plans to extend the smoking ban to restaurant terraces and pub gardens are set to be ditched following an outcry from businesses across the sector.
House of Lords report calls for ‘complete ban’ on junk food advertising
A House of Lords report has said food companies must be ‘completely banned’ from advertising unhealthy food to combat a ‘public health emergency’.
Moveable feast: how to relocate a restaurant… and take your regulars with you
The days of restaurants staying in one location forever are over - now it can pay to stay nimble. But how do successfully pull off a change of address?
Starbucks global sales down 7%
Starbucks has suspended its financial guidance as it released results that showed a decline in revenue and a sharp drop in quarterly sales
UK’s biggest restaurant groups "in good financial health” despite dip in profits
Profits at the UK's biggest 100 restaurant groups have fallen in the past year despite an increase in turnover.
Rosa’s Thai announces Uber Eats and Just Eat partnership
Rosa’s Thai has ended its exclusive partnership with Deliveroo after seven years.
Big Mamma posts strong 2023 results
Big Mamma Group has reported a sharp rise in turnover and profit at its UK restaurant arm.
Whitbread sells 51 F&B sites for £56m
Whitbread has accepted offers on 51 of its branded F&B sites for a total consideration of £56m under plans to exit 126 restaurants and convert 112 others into hotel rooms.
Starbucks buys UK franchise group 23.5 Degrees
Starbucks has expanded its portfolio of company-operated stores with the purchase of 23.5 Degrees.
Charlie McVeigh and Gavin George join The Revel Collective as non-executive directors
Industry investor Charlie McVeigh has joined the board at The Revel Collective as non-executive director alongside former Laine Pub Company CEO Gavin George.
Northcote hotel and restaurant goes up for sale
Luxury Lancashire hotel Northcote Manor has been put on the market.
“In this current climate, no-one is bulletproof” – Glynn Purnell closes flagship restaurant after 17 years
Glynn Purnell has said he is ‘heartbroken’ after closing the doors to his Michelin-starred Birmingham restaurant Purnell’s after 17 years trading.
Revolution Bars Group rebrands as The Revel Collective
Revolution Bars Group has rebranded as The Revel Collective, with chief executive Rob Pitcher saying the new name signals a ‘fresh start’ for the group.
UKHospitality: ‘Ongoing consultation over Employment Rights Bill needed to avoid unintended negative consequences’
UKHospitality says the Government needs to ‘take its time to get the details right’ following the unveiling of a raft of reforms to employment rights.
Michael Caines closes his Devon seaside restaurants
Michael Caines has closed his Devon restaurants Mickeys Beach Bar and Restaurant and Café Patisserie Glacerie after three years.
Caviar House’s airport business bought out of administration
Seafood restaurant and retail brand Caviar House & Prunier has shuttered over half of its UK airport estate following an administration sales process that secured 67 jobs across three sites.
TGI Fridays sale to Breal Capital and Calveton confirmed
TGI Fridays’ UK franchise has been acquired by Breal Capital and Calveton in a deal that will save at least 51 of the American bar and restaurant brand’s sites.
Inception Group plots regional expansion as it toasts ‘record growth’
London-based immersive bar operator Inception Group is looking to expand beyond the capital with both regional and international growth on the cards.