Today’s news in brief – 16/04/24

Hostmore will be acquiring TGI Fridays’ US brand for £177m. The proposed transaction would result in existing Hostmore shareholders holding a 36% stake in the enlarged business upon completion, with TGI Fridays’ shareholdings having a 64% stake. Once the acquisition is finalised, the group is expected to be renamed ‘TGI Fridays plc’.

Shake Shack will be opening a new site in Notting Hill, its 17th UK location. This follows the reopening of its flagship store in Leicester following an extensive refurbishment. The site closed its doors on 8 January and reopened later in January after the revamp.

Sticks’n’Sushi will open its latest restaurant in Richmond on 5 May. As with all Sticks’n’Sushi restaurants, Richmond will embody the traditional Japanese concept of Omotenashi, which is to “wholeheartedly look after each and every guest”.

Italian restaurant Sale e Pepe has appointed Luca Danisi as its new GM. He brings a wealth of experience to the front-of-house team, having previously worked as a GM at the restaurant years ago. He began his career in London back in 2012 when he joined The Wellesley, a boutique 5-star hotel in Knightsbridge, where he learnt his skills.