Big Table Group
Coverage of strategy, leadership, and brand performance across one of the UK’s largest casual dining operators. This section reports on estate planning, menu direction, franchising activity, and F&B development across its portfolio of restaurant brands. Designed for hospitality executives, operators, and foodservice professionals, it offers insight into how a multi-brand group navigates competitive pressures, evolving consumer expectations, and long-term growth planning.
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Jun- 2025 -26 JuneRestaurants
Big Table Group halves FY losses following job cuts
The Big Table Group, owner of Cafe Rouge and Bella Italia, has seen losses before tax narrow by 68%, from £13.8m to £4.4m in its full-year results, following a decision to cut 700 jobs and streamline operations. In the year ended 27 October 2024, Big Table Group’s brands saw full…
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Sep- 2024 -11 SeptemberRestaurants
Bella Italia launches first rewards app
Bella Italia has announced the launch of its first rewards app as part of the restaurant brand’s ‘Feel Bella’ campaign. The rewards app, which has been developed over the span of six months, has been designed to treat customers with exclusive discounts and perks, as well as to showcase new…
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May- 2024 -21 MayNews
Today’s news in brief – 21/05/24
The Big Table Group reported a pre-tax loss of £13.8m for the year ended October 2023, despite having increased its turnover from £26.1m to £31.6m. The owner of Café Rouge, Bella Italia, and Frankie and Benny’s attributed its performance to rising inflation, which had commenced during 2022 and had also…
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21 MayRestaurants
The Big Table Group losses widen in FY results
The Big Table Group has reported a pre-tax loss of £13.8m for the year to 29 October 2023, despite having increased its turnover from £26.1m to £31.6m. This comes after the group, which owns Café Rouge, Bella Italia, and Frankie and Benny’s, among other chains, also posted a loss of…
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Jan- 2024 -24 JanuaryNews
Today’s news in brief – 24/01/24
Wetherspoons revealed that like-for-like sales rose 10.1% during H1 to 21 January compared with last year. The pub chain attributed its performance to bar sales rising by 11.8%, food by 7.9%, and slot and fruit machines by 10.4%. Hotel rooms in its pub estate also saw a rise of 3.1%…
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24 JanuaryRestaurants
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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Nov- 2023 -7 NovemberNews
Today’s news in brief – 07/11/23
Oakman Inns reported an EBITDA drop from £11m to £9.8m for the year ended June 2023 due to the impact of inflation. Despite this, the group’s sales were 8% higher than the previous year, totaling just under £70m, as like-for-like sales for the core Oakman Inns business increased by 4.1%.…
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7 NovemberRestaurants
Pizza Express owner decides againt The Restaurant Group bid
Pizza Express owner, Wheel Topco, will not make a bid for The Restaurant Group (TRG) due to “market conditions” it has confirmed. Last month, TRG confirmed that Wheel Topco had requested diligence information to evaluate a possible offer for its competitor. This move comes after TRG agreed to be bought…
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Oct- 2023 -26 OctoberRestaurants
TRG confirms takeover counterbid from Pizza Express owner
The Restaurant Group has confirmed this morning (26 October) that it has received a request from Wheel Topco, the owner of Pizza Express, to evaluate a possible takeover offer for the company. However, TRG said that no written or verbal indicative proposal relating to a possible offer – including as…
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12 OctoberBusiness
Wagamama owner to go private in £506m deal
The Restaurant Group, the operator that owns Wagamama, has agreed to be taken private by Apollo Global for £506m after a year of financial struggles and investor pressure. The owner of about 400 restaurants and pubs across the UK has struggled with falling margins, which it attributed to soaring costs…
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