How Burger King UK is taking on premium QSR with its new Wagyu Burger
Amid growing competition and with its biggest rival struggling, Burger King has launched what it calls ‘a first of its kind’ product for UK QSR… with Gordon Ramsay backing it.
QSR & Street Food
Miami’s Coyo Taco heads to London
Kuvi Hospitality has signed a franchise agreement to bring the Miami-founded Coyo Taco brand to the UK, with a flagship London site expected to open in early 2026.
Pret sales increase by 10% to £1.2bn as grab-and-go giant eyes meal deal opportunity
Pret A Manger has reported worldwide sales of £1.2bn across company-owned and franchise shops for the year 2 January 2025, representing 10% growth when compared to the same period last year.
Burger King UK teams up with Gordon Ramsay to launch ‘most premium product’ to date
Burger King UK has joined forces with chef Gordon Ramsay to launch what it describes as ‘a first of its kind’ product for quick service restaurants.
What the flock? Domino’s launches chicken-focused sub-brand Chick ’N’ Dip
Domino’s has launched a chicken-focused sub-brand designed to capture a share of the fast-growing chicken market and help drive growth across its core business.
Chick-fil-A’s new London HQ picketed by LGBT+ protestors
Chick-fil-A’s recently established central London head office has been picketed over the US fast-food giant’s alleged ‘long record of funding anti-LGBT+ causes’.
Chin Chin team to bring two dessert concepts to KERB Seven Dials
The team behind cult ice cream parlour Chin Chin is opening two dessert-based operations to Seven Dials Market by KERB’s, one of which is an entirely new concept.
US fried chicken chain Raising Cane’s confirms plans for first UK site
Raising Cane’s, the third largest fried chicken brand in the US by sales, has confirmed it will launch its first London site next year, with further openings planned.
Market Place Food Hall launches ‘first-of-its-kind’ loyalty scheme
London-based operator Market Place Food Hall has launched an ‘all-encompassing’ loyalty programme that unifies all its vendors under a single points collection and redemption digital wallet card.
Dave’s Hot Chicken targets 180 restaurants across 10 European countries under new deal with Azzurri
Azzurri Group has signed an exclusive agreement to roll out Nashville-style chicken brand Dave’s Hot Chicken across Europe following its successful launch in the UK.
Chick-fil-A confirms Leeds opening
US fried chicken giant Chick-fil-A will open a new restaurant in Leeds this autumn as it pushes ahead with plans to open five restaurants across the UK by the end of 2026.
Wafflemeister partners with TRGC for first airport opening
Wafflemeister has partnered with TRG Concessions (TRGC) to launch its first airport site.
Burger Drop expands to Middlesborough
Fast-growing North East smash burger brand Burger Drop is to open its fifth location in England and its sixth site overall this autumn in Middlesborough.
US seafood chain Captain D’s confirms location for first UK site
US fast-casual seafood restaurant brand Captain D’s will make its UK debut with a site at Westwood Cross Shopping Centre in Broadstairs, Kent, in the coming months.
Smash burger brand Chuck’s to open permanent London site
Stripped back smash burger brand Chuck’s is making a permanent return to London.
Lauren Schultz named McDonald’s UK&I CEO as Alistair Macrow steps down
Alistair Macrow, CEO of McDonald’s UK & Ireland, has announced he will step down from his role at the fast-food giant, with Lauren Schultz set to take over early next month.
Grab-and-go salad concept PICK.YOUR.OWN. secures funding to fuel London expansion
Customisable grab-and-go salad concept PICK.YOUR.OWN. is looking to grow its footprint in London after securing funding from Frontive Group and Cervus Investments.
Gaucho planning new event pop-ups for Gaucho Go despite closing Boxhall location
Gaucho has closed its first Gaucho Go location in London’s Boxhall City after just three months trading, but says it plans to continue expanding the concept through event pop-ups.
Five Star Chef’s Joyce Kudia to take her Congolese-inspired Biléyi brand permanent at Boxhall City
Joyce Kudia has secured a permanent site for her Congolese-inspired Biléyi by MsJoyceK brand at Boxhall City in London following the success of a chef’s residency earlier in the year.
McDonald’s UK sees turnover drop amid ‘challenging’ high street footfall and ‘highly competitive environment’
McDonald’s UK has reported a £14m fall in turnover in its latest financial results, but managed to grow profit through savings in administrative expenses.
High noon: retail and foodservice draw pistols over lucrative lunchtime trade
With the Co-op’s On The Go brand launching late last month and the meteoric rise of the supermarket meal deal, the battle for lunchtime trade has never been so fierce. Should the traditional food-to-go sector be concerned?
Co-op looks to take on foodservice sector with new ‘on the go’ brand
Supermarket chain Co-op is moving into the foodservice sector with a new ‘on the go’ brand that offers a range of hot food options including pizzas cooked to order.
Wasabi sees strong growth in travel hub locations and across grocery business
Wasabi saw pre-tax profits tumble in its most recent financial results despite reporting a strong performance across both its UK restaurant division and grocery business.
SMSH BN ‘actively on the hunt for a new home’ after closing debut London site
Smash burger brand SMSH BN is on the hunt for a new home having closed its only restaurant on Charing Cross Road in London after just over a year’s trading.
Sub-prime market - a brief history of US sandwich brands in the UK
With Which Wich the latest US-founded sub slinger trying to grow its UK presence, we look at those that have previously tried to make dough in this surprisingly tough space.
Supernova expands with South Kensington opening
Smash burger slinger and social media sensation Supernova has launched a second, larger London location that, unlike its original Soho site, features indoor seating.
Zambrero ‘ready to accelerate’ as it targets 100 UK sites
Fast-casual Mexican restaurant brand Zambrero has officially launched its UK franchise recruitment programme, with plans to open 100 restaurants by 2030.
Greggs to trial new format as it closes 56 sites following ‘challenging start to 2025’
Greggs has reported a fall in profits and the closure of more than 50 sites in its half-year results (H1) amid a tough start to 2025.
Arcade acquires former TGI site in Covent Garden
London-based food hall operator Arcade is set to open a third location in the capital having taken over the former TGI Fridays on Bedford Street in Covent Garden.
Five Guys agrees £185m refinancing deal to accelerate expansion
Five Guys Europe has secured a new £185m debt agreement that will help fund its continued expansion across the UK.
Layla Bakery to double up with second London site
Artisan bakery Layla Bakery will open its second site in the capital in the autumn.
Market Halls looking to double estate over next three years as it names new CEO
Market Halls has set out plans to double its estate and grow annual sales to over £100m within the next three years amid a change to its senior leadership.
Junk to open second site as London’s smash burger sector shows no signs of slowing
French smash burger brand Junk will open a second London restaurant this summer.
Which Wich set to expand to Cardiff after signing first UK multi-unit franchise agreement
US-founded sandwich chain Which Wich is set to open its first UK site outside of London having signed a multi-unit franchise agreement with Breaking Brands Management Ltd.
Patty Freaks closes Sutton Coldfield restaurant
Burger brand Patty Freaks has closed its Sutton Coldfield restaurant a year after it opened.
Shake Shack UK reports a move into profit
The UK arm of US burger brand Shake Shack has moved into profit for the year ending 31 December 2024.
Seoul trader: how Bunsik made the UK fall in love with Korean street food
With plans for a retail range, international expansion and to grow to 54 sites within the UK, the Korean QSR brand is going places.
Market Halls reports rise in profits as it eyes further expansion
The group behind food hall business Market Halls has reported a rise in turnover and profits and says it has its eyes on expansion.
YO! adds grab-and-go outlets to Heathrow portfolio
YO! has added a new grab-and-go concept to its portfolio.
Coqfighter eyes 100 delivery sites within 18 months
Coqfighter has expanded its delivery network for more than 40 locations, having launched 10 new locations through tech and restaurant platform Growth Kitchen.
Leeds-based Shawarma brand SQEW to open second site in Manchester
A Lebanese shawarma bar that was served Deliveroo’s Best Kebab of 2025 is to open a second site this summer.
Pret a Manger ups its salad game as healthy eating QSR sector blossoms
Pret a Manger is responding to the rise in popularity of salads with the launch of a range of larger options.
The Sushi Co targeting 100 UK sites by the end of 2030
The Sushi Co is on course to reach 30 UK sites by the end of the year having set out a pipeline of new openings both in London and regionally.
Honi Poke plots further expansion as it acquires Island Poké
Honi Poke has acquired rival chain Island Poké, describing it as a ‘landmark moment’ for the business.
Running the halls: the food hall sector under the microscope
With the UK’s food hall sector continuing to show resilience, many of the major players in the space are currently pushing for expansion.
How I Got Here: Darren Simpson
The founder of London-based burger brand Nanny Bill’s, which is celebrating its tenth birthday this year, on being inspired by how own gran and what makes a good leader.
Wasabi’s franchise model takes off with Luton Airport location
Wasabi will open its first franchised restaurant, at London Luton Airport, this month as it embarks on a ‘franchise journey’.
KERB to launch an American sports bar
KERB is dipping its toes into the pub scene with the launch of an American sports bar concept.
Atis moves into catering
London-based salad bowl brand Atis has launched a new catering offer for events and business meetings.
Wingers opens two new sites
Chicken wing brand Wingers has taken its restaurant estate to 16 sites with the opening of two new venues.