Chiquito
Reporting on brand performance, menu direction, and estate strategy from a themed casual dining operator serving the UK’s high streets and leisure parks. This section covers leadership decisions, refurbishment plans, customer engagement, and F&B development, providing insight for restaurant operators, franchise professionals, and foodservice leaders monitoring how family-friendly brands evolve in a competitive and value-sensitive market.
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Jun- 2025 -26 JuneRestaurants
Big Table Group halves FY losses following job cuts
The Big Table Group, owner of Cafe Rouge and Bella Italia, has seen losses before tax narrow by 68%, from £13.8m to £4.4m in its full-year results, following a decision to cut 700 jobs and streamline operations. In the year ended 27 October 2024, Big Table Group’s brands saw full…
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Sep- 2024 -20 SeptemberRestaurants
Wingstop UK appoints head of acquisitions amid expansion plans
Wingstop UK has announced the appointment of Adrian Saunders as its new head of acquisitions. Saunders previously led the acquisition of approximately 90 restaurants for The Restaurant Group, including Frankie and Benny’s and Chiquito locations. He also successfully acquired 45 prime high street and shopping centre sites for Wagamama, including…
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May- 2024 -21 MayRestaurants
The Big Table Group losses widen in FY results
The Big Table Group has reported a pre-tax loss of £13.8m for the year to 29 October 2023, despite having increased its turnover from £26.1m to £31.6m. This comes after the group, which owns Café Rouge, Bella Italia, and Frankie and Benny’s, among other chains, also posted a loss of…
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Jan- 2024 -24 JanuaryRestaurants
Big Table Group appoints new Banana Tree managing director
UK hospitality group The Big Table Group has appointed Kate Wilton as Banana Tree’s new managing director. The news comes after Anne Chow, current managing director, announced that she is stepping down from her role after 28 years with the business. Wilton will take up her new role at the…
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Nov- 2023 -7 NovemberRestaurants
Pizza Express owner decides againt The Restaurant Group bid
Pizza Express owner, Wheel Topco, will not make a bid for The Restaurant Group (TRG) due to “market conditions” it has confirmed. Last month, TRG confirmed that Wheel Topco had requested diligence information to evaluate a possible offer for its competitor. This move comes after TRG agreed to be bought…
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Oct- 2023 -31 OctoberFeatures
The evolution of a brand – A fine line to follow
When you think about the world of hospitality in the UK, cast your mind back over the last 20 or so years and remember the brands which have dominated our high streets. Frankie & Benny’s, Pizza Express, Café Rouge, Chiquito, Prezzo, Cote – all names which once would have been…
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26 OctoberRestaurants
TRG confirms takeover counterbid from Pizza Express owner
The Restaurant Group has confirmed this morning (26 October) that it has received a request from Wheel Topco, the owner of Pizza Express, to evaluate a possible takeover offer for the company. However, TRG said that no written or verbal indicative proposal relating to a possible offer – including as…
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12 OctoberBusiness
Wagamama owner to go private in £506m deal
The Restaurant Group, the operator that owns Wagamama, has agreed to be taken private by Apollo Global for £506m after a year of financial struggles and investor pressure. The owner of about 400 restaurants and pubs across the UK has struggled with falling margins, which it attributed to soaring costs…
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Sep- 2023 -28 SeptemberNews
Big Table Group appoints new MD of Leisure Division
Big Table Group has announced the appointment of Debbie Husband as managing director for the Leisure Division that was recently acquired from The Restaurant Group (TRG). Husband will join The Big Table Group in October. She most recently held the position of managing director at the Rank Group PLC, having…
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12 SeptemberNews
TRG offloads leisure business to Big Table Group
TRG has announced that it has entered into an agreement for the proposed sale of its leisure business comprising 75 trading sites and associated restaurant and management team employees to the Big Table Group. As part of the transaction, TRG will pay a cash contribution of £7.5m to the Big…
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