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- 2022 -11 NovemberPeople
Various Eateries appoints interim CFO
Various Eateries has announced that James Darwent is joining its board as director with immediate effect, where he will act as interim CFO following the news Oli Williams has stepped down from the role. According to the company, Darwent has been working alongside Williams since joining the company on 26…
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Oct- 2022 -27 OctoberRestaurants
Creams appoints new CEO
Creams has appointed Everett Fieldgate as its new CEO as the company enters its next stage of growth both internationally and in the UK. Othman Shoukat will remain as managing director until the end of year for a smooth transition before stepping down from the day-to-day running of the business.…
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27 OctoberCatering Companies
Hostmore appoints non-executive director of Occupyd Limited
Hospitality business Hostmore has announced the appointment of its CEO Robert B Cook to the role of non-executive director of Occupyd as of this month, following approval from the company board. Occupyd Limited, which trades as Obvlo, is a new hospitality infotech company which reportedly aggregates places to go and…
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12 OctoberRestaurants
Las Iguanas trials service robots in two locations
Las Iguanas, the Latin American-inspired chain restaurant, has reportedly introduced six new service robots at its restaurants in Center Parcs Elveden Forest and in Cambridge through a trial partnership with Soft Bank Robotics. It is reported that the robots will support team members with everyday tasks such as delivering food…
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12 OctoberFeatures
Why do casual dining sites thrive in economic uncertainties?
“Quick service restaurant companies like us often do well during periods of recession and economic uncertainty,” says Richard Morris, chief executive officer of Tortilla, “as consumers tend to turn to good value-for-money products and brands that they can trust during such times.” In fact, more people are purchasing takeaway or…
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Sep- 2022 -15 SeptemberFeatures
The people behind the 16th Century Greyhound on the Test
Since the pub is over 600 years old, could you tell me a little bit about its history and how you intend to carry on its legacy? Lucy Townsend: The clue is in the name, which itself dates back over 200 years; in the 1800s, greyhounds were used to hunt…
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Aug- 2022 -18 AugustBusiness
Hospitality numbers ‘stable’ in Q2 but costs crisis threatens recovery
The number of licensed premises was just under 106,000 at the end of June 2022, almost exactly the same number as in both June 2021 and March 2022, according to the latest Market Recovery Monitor from CGA by NielsenIQ and AlixPartners. The CGA’s research recorded nearly 1,000 closures over the…
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11 AugustRestaurants
Sticks ‘n’ Sushi to open tenth UK site at Westfield London
Danish-owned Japanese restaurant group, Sticks ‘n’ Sushi, has announced the opening of its newest restaurant in Westfield London, which is set to open in December of this year. It is reported that the new Sticks ‘n’ Sushi venue, located in White City, will be the group’s eighth restaurant in London…
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Jul- 2022 -27 JulyComment
Catering industry prepares to visit the Casual Dining show this September
Casual Dining – the only UK trade show dedicated to the casual dining sector is returning to ExCeL London on 16-17 September. The industry show for the hospitality sector will once again co-locate with sister shows lunch! – the definitive event for cafés, coffee shops and food-to-go and Commercial Kitchen…
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4 JulyRestaurants
Gusto Italian to expand South amid ‘resilient’ trading
Gusto Italian, the premium casual dining restaurant group, has announced it is looking to grow its estate and expand further South over the coming year. The announcement comes as the company revealed its turnover hit £12.4m in the full year ending September 2021 and an EBITDA of £585,000, which the…
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