US private equity firm acquires Wingstop UK in £400m deal
California-based investment firm Sixth Street has acquired a majority stake in Wingstop UK.
QSR & Street Food
KFC launches spinoff concept in US
KFC is to launch a new spinoff concept in Orlando, Florida, next week that it says is ‘unlike anything else in the market’ and has the potential for further rollout.
Wingstop sees ‘strong growth prospects’ as UK revenue rockets
Fried chicken brand Wingstop is back in the black having reported a pre-tax profit of £3.5m in its latest financial results, up from a £2m loss the year before.
Bababoom to open central London site under new owner Brand Bae
Kebab restaurant brand Bababoom has been bought by hospitality operator Brand Bae for an undisclosed sum.
Itsu turns to technology as cost of employment continues to rise
Technology will play an increasing role at Itsu as the healthy food fast chain battles the rising cost of employment.
Coffee shop % Arabica to open fourth London site
Speciality coffee brand % Arabica has chosen the former turbine halls of Battersea Power Station for the location of its fourth London location.
McWin Capital in talks to acquire Gail’s
Sticks’n’Sushi and Big Mamma investor McWin is reportedly in talks to acquire rapidly expanding upscale bakery chain Gail’s.
Yolk becomes latest brand to launch hot drinks subscription model
‘Fine fast food’ brand Yolk is to become the latest brand to launch a hot drink subscription to customers.
Nero Group announces new partnerships with Waitrose and John Lewis
The Nero Group is to launch a new café concept across five Waitrose supermarkets, as well as open its first Caffè Nero in a John Lewis store, in White City, London.
Fear the Reaper: Dave’s Hot Chicken confirms spiciest burger will feature on UK menu
Dave’s Hot Chicken has said it will now offer its Reaper spice mix in its UK restaurants, with diners required to sign a waiver before they order it.
Honest Burgers’ new QSR concept to be called Honest Smash + Grab
Honest Burgers’ upcoming QSR smash burger will be called Honest Smash + Grab.
Doner Shack blames Budget as it relocates headquarters to US
German street food concept Doner Shack is relocating its headquarters to the US, with the group’s founders saying it provides ‘a much better environment’ for hospitality businesses than the UK.
Itsu expands its diversification through catering partnership with Emirates Stadium
Itsu has secured a partnership deal with catering business Delaware North that will see it deliver its sushi to the hospitality boxes at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium in London.
Pizza Express launches new Pod concept
Pizza Express has opened the first site under its new grab and go concept, Pizza Express Pod, at Tesco Extra in Southampton.
The Fulham Shore to launch Super Club Roma next month
The Fulham Shore, the group behind Neapolitan pizza brand Franco Manca and The Real Greek, will open its new pizza concept in London’s Westfield Stratford early next month.
Too hot to handle: Dave’s Hot Chicken says Brits can’t hack its spiciest burger
Nashville-style chicken brand Dave’s Hot Chicken has said it is unsure whether to serve its Reaper-level spice mix in its UK restaurants after taste tests left diners ‘in tears’.
KFC ‘remains committed’ to Better Chicken framework as it reneges on pledge to ditch ‘Frankenchickens’
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.
Smash burger concept Fat Phill’s secures Clapham site for UK debut
Netherlands-founded smashburger concept Fat Phill’s will make its UK debut next month after securing a site in Clapham, south-west London.
Famed Milan sandwich shop to make London debut
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.
Bleecker plans further London openings
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.
BAO's new Night Market concept is coming to Market Halls Victoria
The team behind BAO will unveil a new grab-and-go concept at Market Halls Victoria later this month.
Hotbox arrives in Brixton ahead of bricks and mortar return
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.
Former Hawksmoor and SMOKESTAK chef launches solo barbecue concept
A London-based chef who previously cooked at Hawksmoor and SMOKESTAK is launching his first solo concept, which majors in Southern US-style barbecue.
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.
The Salad Project continues expansion with ‘most ambitious site to date’
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.
Filipino barbecue concept Turo Turo finds permanent home in Tooting
Chef Rex De Guzman has secured a permanent site for his Filipino street food concept Turo Turo on Tooting Broadway in London.
Sandwich Sandwich to open 'UK's biggest sandwich shop'
Sandwich Sandwich has unveiled plans to open ‘the biggest sandwich shop in the UK’ near London’s Fenchurch Street.
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.
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.
Heist team to open second street food market
The team behind Hastings-based indoor street food market Heist is looking to open a second location in the south of England.
Time Out revives plan for London market
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 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
McDonald’s reports plunge in operating profit
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.
Si King tees up new takeaway restaurant venture
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 chooses Liverpool Street restaurant for first smash burger site
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 rolls out baguette retail range
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 buys UK franchise group 23.5 Degrees
Starbucks has expanded its portfolio of company-operated stores with the purchase of 23.5 Degrees.
Itsu expands retail offering with sushi range
Asian-inspired fast food chain Itsu has broadened its retail offer with the launch of a new chilled sushi range in Tesco.
Vietnamese Kitchen heads to Borough for fourth Kêu site
London-based group Vietnamese Kitchen is to open a fourth site under its Saigon street food brand Kêu next month in Borough.
The Lowdown
Will it be third time lucky for Chick-fil-A?
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.
Lena Lu Donuts to make UK debut
Australian donut brand Lena Lu Donuts will open its first three UK locations in the coming months.
Sandwich Sandwich expands catering service to London
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 ‘well positioned to continue growth ambitions’ as revenue rises
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.
It’s Bagels expands to Soho
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 sees UK turnover rise by nearly 50%
Wendy’s saw a near 50% rise in turnover last year after doubling the size of its company-owned estate.
How smash burger brand Junk is looking to conquer the world
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.
Other Side Fried to relaunch as Buster’s Hamburger Bar
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.
Boojum targets Birmingham for third mainland restaurant
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 increases turnover and halves losses as it continues to expand
Farmer J has reported a strong performance in its latest financial year as it continues to expand.
Chopstix acquired by Swiss operator QSRP
Chopstix has been acquired by Switzerland-based operator QSRP.