Restaurants

The latest news and updates on restaurants, from the business journalists at Catering Today. We bring you the latest on what’s happening in the restaurants, bars and catering industry, with exclusive stories, analysis, best practice and industry comment.

Sep- 2018 -

6 September

700 jobs saved as Gaucho is rescued from collapse

Embattled restaurant chain Gaucho has been sold saving over 700 jobs and preventing the the company from falling into administration. Deloitte, the appointed administrators for Gaucho, announced the chain had been purchased by newly created company Lomo Bidco – established by Gaucho’s lenders, Investec Bank and SC Lowy. Some 22 outlets…
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6 September

LGH Hotels Management announce partnership with Marco Pierre White

LGH Hotels Management has announced a new partnership with celebrity chef and restaurateur Marco Pierre White. The deal will see the opening of two of Marco’s New York Italian branches in the Holiday Inn Milton Keynes – Central and Holiday Inn Brentwood later this year. The partnership follows an agreement…
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5 September

Mandatory calorie labelling could cause ‘serious burden’, warns UKHospitality

UKHospitality has warned that the introduction of inflexible mandatory calorie labelling could present a “serious burden” for hospitality businesses. The warning follows reports that the government is preparing the launch of a consultation on a requirement for businesses to provide calorie labelling on menus. The Department of Health is proposing…
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4 September

Antica Pizzeria da Michele closes in London’s Stoke Newington

Antica Pizzeria da Michele, dubbed ‘the world’s most famous pizzeria’ for its appearance in the film Eat, Pray, Love has closed. The company’s Baker Street site will continue to trade as normal while it appears that the Stoke Newington site is in fact undergoing a rebrand. Catering Today found a…
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4 September

Casual dining brands show growth despite high street woes

Casual dining has continued to grow with visits up 7%, latest figures from global information company The NPD Group have shown. The firm said many operators – especially newer, challenger brands – are continuing to focus on expansion despite high-profile closures and restructuring that some have described as the ‘Casual…
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3 September

GBK ‘appoints restructuring advisors’ prompting CVA suspicions

Burger chain Gourmet Burger Kitchen (GBK) has reported appointed restructuring advisors Deloitte leading to suspicions that the company could be set to enter a company voluntary arrangement (CVA). According to The Times, Deloitte is seeking rent reductions and site closures for the chain which recently reported a loss of £2.24m…
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Aug- 2018 -

31 August

Frankie and Benny’s owner The Restaurant Group reports drop in sales

The Restaurant Group, owner of American chain Frankie and Benny’s, has reported a number of losses in its half year financial results. Its EBITDA suffered a decline of 14%, down to £38.1m from last year’s £44.3m. Its like-for-like sales fell by 3.7% for the 26-week period, while total revenue fell…
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31 August

Pachamama to open in Shoreditch

Modern Peruvian restaurant Pachamama is set to open its second restaurant in Shoreditch four years after opening its first in Marylebone. Pachamama East will open at 73 Eastern Street where it will offer its signature modern take on traditional Peruvian dishes. When first opening in 2014 the restaurant said it…
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31 August

Abba restaurant to open at O2 Arena after defeat at Waterloo

An Abba themed restaurant led by band member Bjorn Ulvaeus is set to open at the O2 Arena. The restaurant was originally set to open in Waterloo, however protesting residents ensured it abandoned its plans in the area. Mamma Mia! The Party, is set to open its 500-cover restaurant in…
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31 August

New World Trading Company secures £5.6m investment

Bar and restaurant group, The New World Trading Company (NWTC), which operates 22 venues across the UK, has secured a £5.6m investment from NatWest, to help fund its roll-out programme. The group which operates 22 venues across the UK has expanded with seven further openings since its last funding round…
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