Restaurants

The Restaurants section on Catering Today delivers comprehensive coverage of the UK restaurant industry, from independent operators to national chains. It reports on business performance, openings, acquisitions, and leadership changes, alongside analysis of market trends, menu innovation, and consumer behaviour. With insight into finance, operations, technology, and sustainability, Catering Today provides hospitality professionals with the intelligence and updates shaping commercial strategy across the UK dining landscape.

Jul- 2025 -

15 July

Open Restaurant Group appoints new development chef

Open Restaurant Group (ORG) has appointed Tony Parkin as development chef, which operates eight sites across the UK. Parkin, who previously held a Michelin star at the Cliff House Hotel in Waterford, Ireland, will work alongside chef Andrew Sheridan on menu development across the group. Sheridan co-owns ORG with business…
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14 July

Sticks’n’Sushi to debut Scottish restaurant in Glasgow

Danish restaurant group Sticks’n’Sushi will open its first Scottish restaurant in Glasgow this November, expanding its portfolio to 31 sites across Denmark, the UK and Germany. The restaurant, located on George Square, will have a 177-cover dining room and bar. Designed by Danish practice OEO Studio, known for its work…
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14 July

Darwin and Wallace FY losses widen to £11.3m under new ownership

Bar-restaurant operator Darwin and Wallace has seen its pre-tax losses widen, from £1.9m to £11.3m in the 70-week period to 30 September 2024, after restructuring its estate and operations under new ownership. According to its latest filing at Companies House, the results were affected by an impairment charge of £7.3m,…
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10 July

Govt to trial two state subsidised ‘public restaurants’

The UK government has selected two state-subsidised “public restaurants” to be piloted in Dundee and Nottingham as part of a new government-backed initiative to improve access to healthy food for low-income households. The eateries will offer universal access to nutritious, sustainably produced meals in social settings, with a particular focus…
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9 July

Growth Kitchen expands Coqfighter delivery hubs to over 40 sites

Ghost kitchen platform Growth Kitchen has opened 10 new delivery kitchen locations for fried chicken restaurant Coqfighter, taking the brand’s delivery footprint to more than 40 sites across the UK. Coqfighter, which runs five restaurants in London, partnered with the restaurant and technology platform in 2024 to expand its delivery…
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9 July

Fowlescombe Farm appoints Elly Wentworth as executive chef

Fowlescombe Farm, a luxury retreat set on a 450-acre regenerative farm at the foot of Dartmoor, has appointed Elly Wentworth as executive chef. Wentworth, known for her produce-led cooking and focus on provenance, brings experience and a seasonal approach that aligns with the farm’s sustainable ethos. She now leads the…
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7 July

Pasta Evangelists to open new City and Home Counties sites

Pasta Evangelists is planning to more than double its restaurant estate in 2025, starting with a new site in Guildford this month. The pasta brand, which opened a flagship restaurant and pasta academy in Farringdon in June, said it expects to have more than 15 locations by the end of…
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4 July

Ping Pong ceases trading closing all remaining restaurants

Dim sum restaurant Ping Pong has ceased trading and closed its four remaining restaurants, 20 years after its initial launch. In a statement on its Instagram, the company stated: “It’s a wrap. After 20 unforgettable years, all Ping Pong locations are now permanently closed. “We’re incredibly proud of what we…
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4 July

Popeyes opens first UK airport restaurant at Birmingham

Popeyes UK has opened its first airport restaurant at Birmingham Airport in partnership with SSP Group, an operator of food and beverage outlets in travel locations. The outlet, located airside in the departures lounge, will serve a breakfast menu featuring items such as Cajun hash browns and the Big Brekkie…
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1 July

Mulan Noodle opens in South London

Chinese noodle house Mulan Noodle has opened its doors in south London, offering handmade northern dishes and traditional live music. Mulan Noodle, located at 192 Acre Lane between Brixton and Clapham, serves Xi’an-style street food, with a menu centred on hand-pulled noodles, house-made dumplings and rice dishes. The new restaurant…
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