Daily news, insight and opinion from the world of restaurants
KFC has said it ‘remains committed’ to ensuring greater animal welfare standards across its supply chain after rowing back on plans to stop buying fast-growing chicken breeds by 2026.
Netherlands-founded smashburger concept Fat Phill’s will make its UK debut next month after securing a site in Clapham, south-west London.
London’s sandwich game continues to be on the ascendancy with Milan-based sandwich shop De Santis the latest to open a site in the capital.
London-based better burger brand Bleecker is planning two further openings in the capital in the coming months, having returned to the expansion trail earlier this year.
The team behind BAO will unveil a new grab-and-go concept at Market Halls Victoria later this month.
London-based smokehouse restaurant Hotbox is to open a multifaceted space at Pop Brixton next week ahead of plans to launch a bricks and mortar site in Shoreditch next year.
A London-based chef who previously cooked at Hawksmoor and SMOKESTAK is launching his first solo concept, which majors in Southern US-style barbecue.
Caffè Nero and Coffee#1 owner The Nero Group has added London-based coffee business FCB Coffee to its growing portfolio.
The Salad Project is to open its biggest store to date next month on Tottenham Court Road in central London, describing it as ‘a significant step forward’ for the business.
Chef Rex De Guzman has secured a permanent site for his Filipino street food concept Turo Turo on Tooting Broadway in London.
Sandwich Sandwich has unveiled plans to open ‘the biggest sandwich shop in the UK’ near London’s Fenchurch Street.
Tortilla is aiming to triple its number of travel hub locations under an expansion of its partnership with SSP.
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.
The team behind Hastings-based indoor street food market Heist is looking to open a second location in the south of England.
Time Out Group has confirmed it is in negotiations to launch its first food hall in London, nearly four years after the group jettisoned plans to open in the capital.
Starbucks has suspended its financial guidance as it released results that showed a decline in revenue and a sharp drop in quarterly sales
McDonald’s saw operating profit at its UK restaurants plunge from £165m in 2022 to just £11m in 2023, according to its latest financial results.
TV chef and Hairy Biker Si King has announced he is to launch a new joint hospitality venture at the Sheepfolds Stables food, drink, events and entertainment venue in Sunderland.
Honest Burgers will relaunch its restaurant near London’s Liverpool Street Station later this year as the first site under the group’s new smash burger QSR brand.
Coco di Mama has launched a range of sandwiches into Sainsbury’s stores nationwide following a successful trial with the retailer in the capital.
Starbucks has expanded its portfolio of company-operated stores with the purchase of 23.5 Degrees.
Asian-inspired fast food chain Itsu has broadened its retail offer with the launch of a new chilled sushi range in Tesco.
London-based group Vietnamese Kitchen is to open a fourth site under its Saigon street food brand Kêu next month in Borough.
The Lowdown
The controversial US chain has twice failed to gain a foothold in the UK. Now it’s back for a third attempt with plans to open five restaurants within two years.
Australian donut brand Lena Lu Donuts will open its first three UK locations in the coming months.
Bristol-based operator Sandwich Sandwich has expanded its catering service to London following the successful launch of its first outpost in the city earlier this year.
Popeyes says it is ‘well positioned to continue growth ambitions’ after seeing revenues rise to £58.1m in 2023, up from £15m the year before.
New York-style bagel concept It’s Bagels is to open its first West End outpost later this month with a site on D'Arblay Street in London’s Soho.
Wendy’s saw a near 50% rise in turnover last year after doubling the size of its company-owned estate.
After building a strong foundation in France, restaurateurs Wissem Ben Ammar and Majed Mansour have brought their smash burger brand Junk to London with ambitions of taking the business global.
London’s cult fried chicken brand Other Side Fried is to close its only restaurant in Brixton this month with its founders set to relaunch the site as Buster’s Hamburger Bar.
Mexican brand Boojum is continuing its push across England since its acquisition by Azzurri Group with a third UK mainland restaurant on the cards.
Farmer J has reported a strong performance in its latest financial year as it continues to expand.
Chopstix has been acquired by Switzerland-based operator QSRP.
Independent pizza chain Boss Pizza has announced plans to open 10 new venues across England and Scotland by the end of 2025.
Noodle bar brand Chopstix is to open its first site outside of the UK and Ireland this month as it looks to push into continental Europe.
Basque cheesecake operator La Maritxu has signed for its second London location, on Soho’s Kingly Street.
Mexican salsa brand Conchita’s is to launch its first full-scale Mexican Kitchen, at Selfridges Foodhall, later this month.
Vegan QSR brand Neat is facing questions about its future following the departure of the group’s co-founder and a further reduction to its UK estate.
The Lowdown
In case the queues outside Supernova didn’t tip you off, the UK is in the midst of a smash burger storm.
Market Place is to open a new site close to St Paul’s early next year under plans to double the size of its estate.
US fast food chain Smashburger has returned to the expansion trail in the UK with its first new opening since 2017.
Neat, the vegan QSR brand backed by Lewis Hamilton and Leonardo DiCaprio, has shuttered its outposts in New York and Dubai in an apparent set back to its international ambitions.
Boxpark chief executive Simon Champion is stepping down after two and a bit years leading the business.
Boxpark Camden will be home to more than 60 food and retail traders when it opens later this month, the company has revealed.
London-based coffee shop chain The Gentlemen Baristas has been acquired by Origins 1450, the UK-based parent company of ‘tree-to-cup’ café concept Qima.
Shake Shack is planning further expansion amid an ‘improved’ trading landscape with restaurant sales ‘increasing towards pre-pandemic levels’.
London will become home to the UK’s first automatic rotary yakitori machine-operated concept when it opens next month.
US burrito brand Chipotle is to increase its footprint in the UK to 20 sites next month with a new opening on Gloucester Road in central London.
Social enterprise The Trampery has taken over South London food hall and co-working space Peckham Levels after its previous operator fell into administration.