Casual Dining

Wing Shack to bring its fried chicken to the capital next month

14-Jan-2020 By Stefan Chomka

Loughton-based wing specialist Wing Shack is making a move into the capital with the opening of a pop-up in London early next month.

Three Joes pizza eyes further expansion

13-Jan-2020 By Sophie Witts

Three Joes, the sourdough pizza chain founded by three hospitality industry veterans, has opened its first restaurant in the North of England.

Latest opening: Kindling

10-Jan-2020 By Joe Lutrario

The former owners of Food for Friends have opened a new Brighton restaurant that serves food that’s ‘kind to the environment and good for the soul’.

The Pepper Collective to bring new restaurants from Rob Roy Cameron, Tom Brown, Alyn Williams and Gizzi Erskine

09-Jan-2020 By Stefan Chomka

Chef Neil Rankin and former Benugo CEO Handley Amos are heading up a restaurant division that will provide investment opportunities, financial backing and expertise to chefs and restaurateurs to help them launch new ventures.

Baton Berisha takes the reins at Bill's as Campbell and Hills depart

09-Jan-2020 By Finn Scott-Delany

Bills executive chairman David Campbell and managing director Sarah Hills have left the all-day dining group with Baton Berisha, managing director of The Ivy Collection, taking on the running of the Richard Caring-backed chain.

Hickory’s Smokehouse receives £13m investment to fire up expansion

09-Jan-2020 By Finn Scott-Delany

American barbecue brand Hickory’s Smokehouse has received a £13m funding package from alternative lender ThinCats to accelerate its roll out of restaurants.

Over 11,000 casual dining jobs lost in 2019

06-Jan-2020 By Sophie Witts

A total of 11,280 people lost their jobs in the UK casual dining sector last year, equivalent to almost 31 per day.

South London's Brick House shuts up shop

02-Jan-2020 By Joe Lutrario

South London bakery and restaurant Brick House has closed both its sites.

2019: Review of the year in hospitality

23-Dec-2019 By Joe Lutrario

2019 saw Jamie’s Italian disappear from the high street, Patisserie Valerie’s fall from grace, and the loss of two hugely-influential British chefs.

How the sector can weather tougher trading conditions

23-Dec-2019 By Dan Brod

Beckford Arms Group co-owner Dan Brod on the challenges the restaurant industry faces in 2020 and what can be done to over come them.

Restaurant radar: 2020

23-Dec-2019 By Joe Lutrario

From a huge restaurant based on the DC Universe to the debut restaurant from former Noma Mexico chef Santiago Lastra, there are plenty of big openings to look forward to in 2020.

Sessions Art Club to open with backing of St John co-founder

19-Dec-2019 By Sophie Witts

One of the founders of London’s famous St John restaurant is to open a creative studio and restaurant in Clerkenwell next March.

Chop specialist Blacklock to open a restaurant in Covent Garden

17-Dec-2019 By Stefan Chomka

Chops and steak specialist Blacklock is to open a fourth restaurant in the capital next year, in Covent Garden.

Zizzi owner Azzuri Group reports shrinking losses

17-Dec-2019 By Sophie Witts

Azzuri Group, which operates restaurant brands including Zizzi and ASK Italian, reported shrinking losses over the past year amid ‘challenging’ trading conditions.

Fund to support Fifteen Cornwall staff raises £5,000 [Updated]

16-Dec-2019 By Stefan Chomka

A funding drive set up to support staff who lost their jobs as a result of the closure of Fifteen Cornwall has ended after raising £5,016.

Burger & Lobster founders open Chelsea restaurant

16-Dec-2019 By Sophie Witts

Two of the founders of the Burger & Lobster restaurant group have launched a Mediterranean concept in London.

PizzaExpress to close Za spin-off site

13-Dec-2019 By Sophie Witts

PizzaExpress is to close its spin-off concept Za on 20 December after nine months of trading.

Generation Next

How MasterChef's Larkin Cen built a mini restaurant empire

13-Dec-2019 By Joe Lutrario

In just a few years former MasterChef contestant Larkin Cen has opened four Woky Ko restaurants in Bristol and is now one of the UK’s most exciting Chinese chefs

Richard Caring on Bill's: "We’re fighters. We’ll make it work by investing in the business"

12-Dec-2019 By Finn Scott-Delany

With an estate-wide refurb programme and a repositioning as an evening proposition, Richard Caring and David Campbell are starting a new chapter for Bill's.

Breakfast Club targeting regional and London expansion

11-Dec-2019 By Sophie Witts

The Breakfast Club has appointed Draft House founder Charlie McVeigh as chairman as it gears up for further expansion.

Kudu team to open two new sites next year

10-Dec-2019 By Joe Lutrario

The owners of South African-inspired restaurant Kudu are to increase their presence in Peckham with the launch of two new venues in early 2020.

Carluccio's seeking franchise partners for expansion

09-Dec-2019 By Sophie Witts

Italian restaurant chain Carluccio’s is seeking franchise partners to expand the brand in to travel hubs, and within the Republic of Ireland.

Rockfish nets Poole Quay site

05-Dec-2019 By Joe Lutrario

Mitch Tonks is to open a restaurant in Poole Quay at the end of January bringing the total number of Rockfish restaurants to nine.

Restaurant magazine's R200 winners announced

05-Dec-2019 By Stefan Chomka

Flat Iron, Wagamama, Caravan and Lina Stores were among the restaurants crowned winners at Restaurant magazine’s annual R200 Awards, which were held in London last night (4 December).

Second time lucky? French burger chain Big Fernand has another crack at London

04-Dec-2019 By Stefan Chomka

French hamburger restaurant group Big Fernand is making a second play in the capital with a restaurant opening later this month in South Kensington.

Som Saa team to explore food hall and grab-and-go formats

02-Dec-2019 By Stefan Chomka

The team behind Thai restaurant Som Saa say they are considering food hall, grab-and-go and takeaway options as part of their expansion plans.

Gluten-free pasta concept to pop-up in former Stem site

02-Dec-2019 By Finn Scott-Delany

A gluten-free pasta concept has taken the former Stem site in Mayfair.

Tyneside Indian restaurant fined over nut allergy

29-Nov-2019 By Lucy Britner

A North Tyneside Indian restaurant has been fined almost £4,000 for serving food containing peanuts to a teenager with a nut allergy.

Cyan replaces GB1 at The Grand hotel, Brighton

29-Nov-2019 By Lucy Britner

Brighton seafront hotel The Grand has replaced its GB1 fish restaurant with an all-day dining venue.

Friday Five: the week's top news

29-Nov-2019 By Joe Lutrario

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

Somerset’s 28 Market Place set for January opening

29-Nov-2019 By Lucy Britner

The Somerset venue from ex-Soho House director Ben Crofton and his wife Vanessa will open its doors on 3 January.

The Ivy MD: “Ivy Asia could work in other cities”

28-Nov-2019 By Sophie Witts

The outlandish restaurant brand has opened in London. Could it be Caprice Holding's next roll-out vehicle?

UK growth helps Nando's sales hit £1bn

27-Nov-2019 By Sophie Witts

The UK’s love of peri-peri chicken has helped Nando’s worldwide sales surpass £1bn.

Latest opening: Sam’s Riverside

27-Nov-2019 By Stefan Chomka

After a brief hiatus, restaurateur Sam Harrison is back with a stylish new riverside brasserie.

Breddos Tacos to open within King's Cross food hall

25-Nov-2019 By James McAllister

Breddos Tacos has secured a site within a new food hall that’s backed by Ben Lovett, a founding member of the band Mumford & Sons.

The Greek Larder duo to open The Melusine in St Katharine Docks

22-Nov-2019 By Stefan Chomka

Theodore Kyriakou, the former executive chef and CEO of The Greek Larder in King’s Cross, is to open a seafood restaurant in London’s St Katharine Docks next month.

Whitbread to open Bar + Block steakhouse in Newcastle

19-Nov-2019 By Restaurant

Whitbread it to open one of its Bar + Block steakhouse concepts in Newcastle next month – the sixth opening under the casual dining brand this year.

Losses for Top 100 UK restaurant groups increase to £93m

19-Nov-2019 By James McAllister

A combination of rising overheads, fewer alcohol sales, and a weaker pound has continued to impact the UK’s Top 100 restaurant groups according to accountancy group UHY Hacker Young.

Som Saa to crowdfund to open second Thai restaurant in the capital

19-Nov-2019 By Stefan Chomka

London-based Thai restaurant Som Saa is looking to open a second restaurant in the capital.

Jamie Oliver to launch new restaurant chain overseas

18-Nov-2019 By James McAllister

Jamie Oliver is to launch a new casual dining concept later this month, as he continues to expand his international restaurant arm.

Latest opening: Legare

08-Nov-2019 By Joe Lutrario

Two Barrafina and Trullo alumni have opened this casual pasta-focused restaurant near London's Tower Bridge.

Shortlist revealed for Restaurant's R200 Awards

07-Nov-2019 By Stefan Chomka

Arcade Food Theatre, Emilia’s Crafted Pasta, Circolo Popolare, Nando’s, Bleecker Burger, Giggling Squid, Rockfish and Loungers are among the restaurant groups and new openings that have been shortlisted in this year’s R200 Awards.

Bababoom launches fundraise for 20-strong rollout plan

07-Nov-2019 By Finn Scott-Delany

Kebab restaurant concept Bababoom is launching a fundraising drive to support its target of reaching 20 sites by FY 2024.

PizzaExpress owner injects £80m to pay down debts

06-Nov-2019 By James McAllister

PizzaExpress’ Chinese owner Hony Capital is reportedly going to inject £80m of cash into the business in order to help prop up its balance sheet.

Advertorial

Why restaurants should revive the bar

06-Nov-2019 By Johnnie Walker

How can the restaurant industry benefit from serving cocktails before and after food? In partnership with Gordon’s, Johnnie Walker and Baileys.

Gaucho unveils new ‘creative direction’ for restaurants

06-Nov-2019 By Sophie Witts

Steakhouse chain Gaucho has unveiled its future vision for the business, including changes to the restaurant design and introduction of a cinema screen.

Puttshack lines up second London site

05-Nov-2019 By Sophie Witts

Mini golf and restaurant concept Puttshack is to launch its second London location, in Bank, on 22 November.

Season's Eatings: what to consider when creating a Christmas menu

05-Nov-2019 By Tony Naylor

Whether you’re going full turkey or giving the bird a wide berth, there’s plenty of things to consider when creating a cracker of a Christmas menu

Selin Kiazim’s Kyseri to become Turkish bakery

05-Nov-2019 By Joe Lutrario

Selin Kiazim and Laura Christie’s Fitzrovia Turkish pasta restaurant Kyseri will close at the end of the year to make way for a Turkish bakery.

Richard Caring sells £200m Caprice Holdings stake

04-Nov-2019 By Georgi Gyton

Richard Caring has sold a 25% share of his hospitality empire Caprice Holdings to the former prime minister of Qatar, Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, for £200m.