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The Restaurant Group has reportedly told staff that a “large number” of Frankie and Benny’s sites will not reopen when lockdown lifts.
According to an email seen by the BBC, the owners of the casual dining chain said that many sites are “no longer viable to trade and will remain closed permanently.”
The email, sent to managers across the group’s Leisure Division, added that the “Covid-19 crisis has significantly impacted our ability to trade profitably, so we’ve taken the tough decision to close these restaurants now”.
Whilst it is not clear how many sites will shut, staff will reportedly be informed if their workplace is set to be closed via email later on today (3 June).
According to the BBC, Frankie and Benny’s managers who are currently working in sites set to stay closed were told: “Unfortunately, unless there are any suitable alternative roles identified, it’s likely your role will be made redundant.”
The Restaurant Group, which is also the parent company to Wagamama, currently has 22,000 employees on furlough.
The group had initially announced in February that it was planning to close 90 sites by 2021. At the time, the group said that the closures would affect its Leisure Division, which also includes Chiquito. It follows on from the closure of 18 group sites last year.
The Restaurant Group has been contacted for comment.
