Casual Dining
We report on the business of casual dining, a key segment of the UK foodservice sector encompassing high-street restaurant brands, all-day dining concepts, and accessible, mid-market hospitality. This includes our coverage of openings, closures, financial results, menu innovation, tech integration, and leadership moves across the casual dining space. Whether you’re managing a national chain or operating a regional brand, we deliver timely insight into the pressures, pivots, and opportunities shaping this highly competitive market, with a focus on operational performance, consumer trends, and commercial sustainability.
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Jun- 2020 -5 JuneCoronavirus
Azzurri Group considering sale options
The Azzurri Group is reportedly working alongside advisors in a bid to find a potential buyer for the restaurant giant, according to Sky News. The parent group of Ask Italian and Zizzi, which is currently owned by private equity firm Bridgepoint, is now in the process of contacting prospective bidders…
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3 JuneCoronavirus
Frankie and Benny’s to close ‘large number’ of sites
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…
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May- 2020 -4 MayCoronavirus
Azzurri Group drafts in advisors
Azzurri Group has reportedly drafted in KPMG as advisors to help the hospitality giant navigate the ongoing coronavirus crisis. According to The Sunday Times, the owner of Zizzi and Ask Italian has become the latest casual dining chain to draft in restructuring experts, following news that both Wahaca, Gourmet Burger…
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Apr- 2020 -17 AprilCoronavirus
Restaurant, pub and bar sales nosedive 60% in March
Collective like-for-like sales tumbled 57.6% in March amongst the pub, restaurant and bar sector as the nationwide lockdown began, according to the latest Coffer Peach Business Tracker. According to its data, the entire sector was “hit hard”, with a slowdown in sales, which started in February, continuing over the first…
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Mar- 2020 -27 MarchCoronavirus
Casual Dining Show 2020 cancelled
Event organisers Diversified Communications has announced it has taken the decision to cancel the Casual Dining Show 2020. The news, revealed in an email, comes after the scheduled event venue – London’s ExCeL – is to be converted into a makeshift hospital. NHS Nightingale as it will be called will…
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13 MarchAwards & Events
Casual Dining Show postponed until July over coronavirus fears
Following increasing concern about the developing coronavirus situation, Casual Dining organiser Diversified Communications UK has announced it has consulted with the industry and decided to postpone the event to 14-15 July 2020, at ExCeL London. Chris Brazier, group event director of diversified communications UK, said: “Casual Dining is the single…
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6 MarchRestaurants
Cote restaurants sees profits rise to £5.5m
Cote restaurants has seen its profits for the year increase to £5.5m up from £4.6m the year prior. According to the latest figures filed with Companies House, the casual dining group also reported a 7% increase in revenues to £156.6m in the year ending 26 July 2019, compared with £146.3m…
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Feb- 2020 -26 FebruaryRestaurants
The Restaurant Group to close 90 restaurants by 2021
The parent company of Wagamama and Frankie and Benny’s, The Restaurant Group, has announced it is to close up to 90 restaurant sites by the end of next year. The group said the closure will affect its ‘leisure portfolio’, which includes the Chiquito and Frankie and Benny’s sites, and follows…
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21 FebruaryRestaurants
Manchester’s Mr Cooper’s to relaunch as Mount Street Dining Room & Bar
Manchester restaurant Mr Cooper’s has announced it will relaunch later this year as Mount Street Dining Room and Bar. The casual dining restaurant located at The Midlands Hotel in Manchester will be fronted by the hotels executive chef Brian Spark, and will serve “British classics with a twist.” The menu…
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20 FebruaryRestaurants
Pizzaluxe set to open at Manchester Arndale’s Halle Place
M&G Real Estate and intu, joint owners of shopping centre Manchester Arndale, have announced that Pizzaluxe will be joining the line-up at the centre’s casual dining destination, Halle Place. The pizza restaurant has agreed a 2,000 sq ft location on a 10 year lease. Pizzaluxe originally started life as a…
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