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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Oct- 2020 -6 OctoberFood and Drink
Restaurant Group reports £235m loss, despite strong September trading
The Restaurant Group has reported a pre-tax loss of £235m for the first half of the year, despite “strong” September trading. Its Wagamama chain saw a like-for-like sales growth of 11% in the 11 weeks leading up to 20 September, which the group said was a 5% overperformance compared to…
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Aug- 2020 -17 AugustRestaurants
Yo Sushi to axe 250 jobs following CVA
Yo Sushi has announced it will shutter 19 sites and axe 250 jobs in a bid to restructure the business following the crisis. The move comes after the dining group launched a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) in light of “changes in consumer behaviour” that have made its rents “unsustainable” across…
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6 AugustRestaurants
Yo Sushi eyes CVA
Yo Sushi has reportedly drafted in Deloitte in a bid to negotiate rent concessions with landlords and secure a potential CVA, Sky News has reported. While the sushi chain has not yet made a formal decision to proceed with a CVA, sources told Sky that the group would have “little…
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Jun- 2020 -10 JuneCoronavirus
The Restaurant Group launches CVA, 125 sites to close
The Restaurant Group has announced a proposal to reduce the size of its Leisure estate and rental cost base through a company voluntary arrangement (CVA). The CVA will relate to the group’s Frankie and Benny’s estate, Chiquito and Garfunkel’s sites, but will have no impact on the group’s Wagamama, airport…
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8 JuneCoronavirus
The Restaurant Group confirms restructuring talks
The Restaurant Group has confirmed it has entered discussions with its landlords regarding the “potential restructuring” of its Leisure estate. The group’s Leisure Division, which includes its Frankie and Benny’s, Chiquito and Garfunkel’s sites, does not impact trading across the group’s Wagamama chain. It comes only days after news that…
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3 JuneCoronavirus
Frankie and Benny’s to close ‘large number’ of sites
The Restaurant Group has reportedly told staff that a “large number” of Frankie and Benny’s sites will not reopen when lockdown lifts. According to an email seen by the BBC, the owners of the casual dining chain said that many sites are “no longer viable to trade and will remain…
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May- 2020 -1 MayCoronavirus
Business may not survive with social distancing measures, claim restaurants
Three quarters of restaurants in the UK have warned that their businesses may not survive with social distancing measures in place. Operators including café chain Paul as well as JKS have suggested that new measures designed to enforce social distancing could pose an “existential threat” to their businesses, according to…
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Apr- 2020 -6 AprilRestaurants
Covid-19: The Restaurant Group increases banking facilities as execs take pay cut
The parent company of Wagamama, The Restaurant Group (TRG), has announced extra flexibility in its banking facilities, with executive directors agreeing to take a pay cut amid the coronavirus pandemic. The company, behind the brands of Chiquito’s and Frankie and Benny’s, said the TRG lending group has agreed that there…
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Mar- 2020 -28 MarchRestaurants
Carluccio’s poised to enter administration amid Covid-19 lockdown
Italian restaurant chain Carluccio’s is reportedly set to file for administration, putting almost 2,000 jobs at risk. According to the Guardian, restructuring firm FRP Advisory confirmed it has been appointed to work with the chain. FRP told the Guardian: “FRP is working with the directors of Carluccio’s to consider all…
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27 MarchRestaurants
Covid-19: Chiquito to close 61 stores permanently
Mexican restaurant chain Chiquito is to close 61 stores across the UK permanently as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. According to the Guardian, the chain’s remaining 20 sites will reportedly reopen once the Coronavirus situation improves. The Restaurant Group, which owns Chiquito, said 11 Food and Fuel pubs in…
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