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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Nov- 2023 -28 NovemberNews
Today’s news in brief – 28/11/23
Shareholders backed TRG’s £506m sale to Apollo Global, privatising the company that operates Wagamama among others. Each share’s value of 65p signifies an enterprise worth of £701m. TRG’s strategies led to two earnings upgrades and £5m in cost savings, aligning with Apollo’s belief in TRG’s market prominence. Apollo’s reassurances about…
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28 NovemberNews
TRG shareholders approve £506m Apollo deal
The Restaurant Group shareholders have formally voted in favour of the company sale to US-based private equity company Apollo Global Management for £506m. During a general meeting held yesterday (27 November), 93.5% of shareholders voted in favour of the cash acquisition of the group, which includes Wagamama and the pub…
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Oct- 2023 -30 OctoberBusiness
UK licensed premises drop below 100k for first time in 20 years
The number of Britain’s licensed premises has fallen by nearly a third in the last two decades to below 100,000 for the first time in 20 years, according to new figures from UKH in partnership with CGA by NIQ. At the end of this September, the total number of licensed…
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16 OctoberRestaurants
Creams Cafe appoints new COO
Creams Cafe has announced the appointment of Oliver Rodbard as its new chief operating officer, as the company heads for international expansion. Rodbard brings over 16 years of experience gleaned in the food and hospitality industry within franchise models. He joins Creams Cafe from Soul Foods Group, a global franchisee…
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Sep- 2023 -27 SeptemberRestaurants
Par 59 opens new bar and games room
St Mary Street mini-golf bar and restaurant Par 59, backed by former Welsh footballer Gareth Bale, is set to double its capacity with the opening of an upstairs bar and games room, named Shuffles. Shuffles will open on 10 November 2023 and will feature three brand-new interactive shuffleboards and five…
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Jul- 2023 -26 JulyVenues & Properties
One in 18 licensed venues closed for good in past year
Britain has lost roughly one in 18 of its licensed premises, which makes up 5,736 pubs, hotels, restaurants, bars and cafes, in the last 12 months, according to the new Hospitality Market Monitor from CGA by NIQ and AlixPartners. The current closure rate means that about 5% of the market…
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21 JulyNews
Akwaaba wins Lexington’s Casual Dining Competition
Ghana-inspired cuisine Akwaaba has won the final stage of Lexington’s Casual Dining Competition. The winning team will see their concept introduced across the business and will also enjoy a British artisan cheese makers tour, hosted by Patrick Spinazza from The Cheese Geek. Akwaaba will also have the opportunity to create…
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17 JulyComment
Loans repayment, inflation, staff shortages: what else we can expect from hospitality insolvencies?
What are the potential reasons for the continued increase in the number of hospitality insolvencies we’ve seen recently? Glyn: I think it goes back to the pandemic. Covid was a big thing for the sector and rightly, both the government and HMRC stepped in to help companies with furlough and…
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4 JulyCafes and Coffee Shops
Le Pain Quotidien closes all but one site after falling into administration
Le Pain Quotidien has closed all but one of its sites across London after the bakery chain collapsed into administration, in a move that has seen the loss of 250 jobs. The chain, which had operated from eight sites across the capital, has closed all of its sites except one…
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4 JulyNews
PizzaExpress launches new delivery platform with Uber Eats
PizzaExpress has today announced that its restaurants across the UK will serve customers for delivery through their brand-new delivery platform, PizzaExpress Delivers, in partnership with Uber Eats. Customers will simply have to log on to PizzaExpress’ website or app, place their order, and Uber’s network of couriers are on hand…
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