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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Mar- 2023 -3 MarchRestaurants
El Mexicana chain bought out of administration
The Mexican restaurant brand, El Mexicana, has been bought out of administration by Cholco Consulting Limited, securing 92 jobs across its portfolio of restaurants. The brand, which was founded by John Coverley, who was previously head of convenience at Sainsbury’s and the creator of the Nosh coffee shop brand in…
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Jan- 2023 -31 JanuaryRestaurants
TriSpan acquires stake in Mowgli
TriSpan, a global private equity firm, has acquired a stake in Mowgli, a leading Indian casual dining restaurant group, after it invested through its dedicated restaurant fund Rising Stars. Nisha Katona MBE, founder of Mowgli, will continue to lead the group as CEO in its next phase of growth, supported…
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23 JanuaryPeople
Gusto Italian appoints new head of Marketing
Gusto Italian has appointed Kat Schofield as its new head of Marketing, who will join the premium casual dining group in April. Appointed by CEO Matt Snell, Schofield joins from Revolution Bars Group where she currently leads brand marketing for Revolución de Cuba. In her new role, she will support…
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19 JanuaryRestaurants
Marugame Udon to open Kensington site
Marugame Udon will open its first West London site with the launch of a new kitchen in Kensington on Saturday 21 January. Following eight openings across the city, the 3242 sq. ft restaurant with 92 covers is located in Kensington Arcade next to High Street Kensington Underground Station. The menu…
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Dec- 2022 -22 DecemberRestaurants
Top 10 UK casual dining brands to expand presence in 2022
According to the latest data from the Lumina Intelligence Operator Data Index, the top 10 UK casual dining brands are forecast to grow their combined outlet count by +1.1% to 5,566. This growth is set to be driven by Pret A Manger (+7.5%), Nando’s (+4.0%) and KFC (+2.1%). In contrast,…
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21 DecemberPeople
The Tawny Hotel appoints new head chef
The new luxury hotel in Staffordshire, The Tawny, has announced the appointment of Andrew Watts as the head chef of its flagship restaurant, The Plumicorn. Watts takes up the role with 19 years of experience, as prior to joining The Tawny, he was group executive chef at Hawkstone Hall and…
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Nov- 2022 -29 NovemberRestaurants
Gusto Italian launches new £1.8m Oxford site
Gusto Italian has announced it is opening its 14th site, in Oxford, on 1 December 2022, following a £1.8m investment in the Mitre Hotel building on Oxford High Street. The 10,000 sq ft restaurant and bar offers 150 covers on the ground floor serving both diners and drinks guests, a…
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23 NovemberPeople
Heavenly Desserts appoints trio ahead of expansion
Luxury dessert franchise Heavenly Desserts has made three appointments to its team as it looks to expand into international markets. The company has announced that Martha Prudence has been promoted to new store openings trainer. Louise Wilkinson has been appointed brand excellence auditor and Warren Smith has been appointed area…
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15 NovemberFeatures
The viability of the roadside dining market
Roadside dining had its heyday some 50 years ago and when Little Chef, one of Britain’s most iconic and successful diner chains became defunct in 2018, it seemed like the extinction of the UK’s tenuous motor dining culture was finally complete. Four years on, and the nationwide operator Loungers of…
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15 NovemberRestaurants
Byron Burgers hires consultant in search for new investors
Calveton, the parent company of Byron Burgers, has reportedly hired business management consultants Interpath Advisory in a bid to find new investors as the business is to be flipped to a new owner. The news comes as the hospitality industry tackles stiff economic headwinds, while casual dining chains contend with…
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