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.

Jan- 2024 -

25 January

Chopstix appoints new finance director

Chopstix has announced the appointment of Rob King as its new finance director, replacing Jo Barrett in the role. It said King brings a wealth of sector experience, leading teams across finance, business operations, transformation, new market entry and business growth. He previously worked in senior finance and commercial roles…
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24 January

Restaurants’ delivery and takeaway sales rise 1% in December

Britain’s top managed restaurant groups recorded 1% year-on-year growth in delivery and takeaway sales in December 2023, according to data from CGA. However, growth has been generated by increases in menu prices rather than order volumes, which dropped year-on-year by 4% in December. It is a seventh consecutive month of…
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24 January

Big Table Group appoints new Banana Tree managing director

UK hospitality group The Big Table Group has appointed Kate Wilton as Banana Tree’s new managing director. The news comes after Anne Chow, current managing director, announced that she is stepping down from her role after 28 years with the business. Wilton will take up her new role at the…
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23 January

Popeyes UK to open over 30 sites in 2024

Popeyes UK has announced its expansion plans that will see it open over 30 new sites in 2024. The brand, which entered the UK in November 2021, currently has 36 locations, including five drive-thrus, plus seven delivery kitchens across the UK. The 30 new openings will take its total number…
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22 January

Tomás Gormley to open Cardinal in Edinburgh this March

Scottish chef Tomás Gormley is set to launch his new fine dining restaurant, Cardinal, on Eyre Place, Edinburgh, in March 2024. Chef Gormley, who was awarded a Michelin star at Heron in 2023, is also chef-patron of Skua, which opened in Edinburgh’s Stockbridge in spring 2023 and the new Cardinal…
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17 January

Pan-Asian restaurant Yiqi launches in London’s Chinatown

Pan-Asian restaurant concept YiQi has officially launched its debut location on Chinatown London’s 14 Lisle Street. Celebrating a range of cuisines from across the ESEA region, YiQi’s menu includes South East Asian dishes, regional Chinese favourites, Korean classics, and Japanese dishes, with recipes and techniques created by chef Lum Wah…
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16 January

RIO Brazilian Steakhouse to open in Edinburgh this February

RIO Brazilian Steakhouse has announced it will open a new location in Edinburgh on Friday 9 February 2024. The Brazilian Steakhouse offering an authentic Brazilian Churrasco dining experience will open its doors on George Street, within the historic Assembly Rooms building in a 150-cover space formerly home to Jamie’s Italian.…
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12 January

TDR secures majority stake in Popeyes UK

Private equity firm TDR Capital has secured a majority stake in Popeyes UK following a subsequent investment. The news comes after TDR made a £50m investment in Popeyes last year and has since raised its ownership to effectively overtake dual partner Ring International Holdings, who hold a minor stake. The…
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11 January

D&D London sees double-digit sales growth across sites in December

Restaurant group D&D London has reported double-digit revenue growth across its restaurants for the month of December. For the six weeks to 31 December, this was achieved across a number of restaurants, including Skylon and Madison with a 13% growth, Butlers Wharf Chophouse increased by 18%, New Street Warehouse by…
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9 January

Trio behind Fallow to open new restaurant in Wood Wharf

Chefs Will Murray and Jack Croft, alongside Fallow restaurant chairman James Robson, have announced they are set to launch their next venture, Roe, in Wood Wharf in spring 2024. Named after native deer of the British Isles, Roe will follow the same “nose-to-tail” and “root-to-stem” ethos as its sister restaurant,…
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