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.
-
Jun- 2023 -22 JuneNews
Nando’s launches school leaver programme in 200 sites
Nando’s has announced the launch of its school leaver programme, offering level 2 apprenticeships at over 200 of its restaurants across England as part of its ongoing commitment to invest in promoting and providing careers in the hospitality sector. The programme, eligible to school leavers and young people over the…
Read More » -
20 JuneNews
Hostmore appoints new non-executive director
Hospitality group Hostmore has today announced the appointment of Célia Pronto as an independent non-executive director with immediate effect. Pronto has over 25 years of experience in blue chip listed companies, private equity and venture capital backed start-ups and family-owned businesses. She has worked in subscription model businesses, as well…
Read More » -
May- 2023 -23 MayNews
Famous Brands FY revenues up 15% to £310m
South African restaurant company Famous Brands, which operates 65 restaurants in the UK, has reported revenues of R7.4bn (£310m) in FY23, a 15% increase compared to last year. The group has attributed the revenue increase to improved trading conditions across most markets thanks to the lifting of Covid restrictions. Operating…
Read More » -
19 MayRestaurants
German Doner Kebab opens 150th restaurant
German Doner Kebab (GDK) has recently opened its doors to another site in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset marking its 128th location in the country and 150th internationally. The news comes as the brand has experienced rapid expansion, with the fast-casual dining option now employing over 4,500 people across its 150 restaurants worldwide. …
Read More » -
18 MayNews
Social Pantry appoints new non-executive chairman
Social Pantry, a leading sustainable events and workplace caterer, has recently announced the appointment of James Spragg as new non-executive chairman. Spragg will work closely with CEO and founder, Alex Head, to accelerate the growth of the business, whilst maintaining its core values across sustainability and ex-offender hiring. He joins…
Read More » -
9 MayFood and Drink
Soft drinks sales surpass £1bn in Q1 2023
Sales of soft drinks in the UK surged past the £1bn mark to reach £1.7bn in the first quarter, up by 12% year-on-year, according to data from CGA Strategy. Soft drinks now have a 15.5% share of total on premise drinks sales by value, an increase of 1.7 percentage points…
Read More » -
3 MayFeatures
The ‘Market Place’ of Ideas: Reinventing the dining experience
“I think the way the industry is going and where people see casual dining, is completely changing. The fact is now you can go out with a group of friends, and all have the same experience of being somewhere but all have a completely different food and drink experience. I…
Read More » -
Mar- 2023 -8 MarchNews
The Manor at Greasby shares glimpse of menu ahead of opening
Nelson Hotels and Inns, an award-winning, family-run collection of hotels, inns and restaurants across Cheshire and surrounding areas, has announced that its fifth venue, The Manor at Greasby, is set to officially open on Friday 17 March 2023. This new venue has been described as a “stylish yet inviting” restaurant featuring an…
Read More » -
8 MarchRestaurants
Wagamama owner to shut 35 sites as FY losses widen
The Restaurant Group has revealed that for the year ended 1 January 2023, its statutory loss before tax increased from £35.2m in 2021 to £86.8m. As a result, the Wagamama owner has made plans to shut around 35 “loss making” locations. This decision will take its portfolio from 166 restaurants…
Read More » -
3 MarchBusiness
Jamie Oliver Restaurants reveals plans to expand business in India
Jamie Oliver Restaurants has planned to treble its footprint and expand to new geographies in India by opening 40 more casual dining sites. Jamie’s in India is a partnership between Dolomite Restaurants Pvt, the master franchisee of Jamie’s Italian, Jamie’s Pizzeria and Jamie’s Diner in India, and Jamie Oliver Restaurant…
Read More »
