Pizza Express
Coverage tracks the operational and strategic developments of one of the UK’s most established casual dining brands, with a focus on estate refurbishments under the “Future Express” programme, rollout of digital ordering and pay-at-table tech via Pepper, expansion into retail with supermarket pizzas, and growth in delivery partnerships with platforms like Deliveroo and Just Eat. Reporting also covers site closures, pricing strategy, leadership changes, and repositioning efforts aimed at re-engaging younger diners and improving off-premise performance. Insight is geared toward operators monitoring high-street group strategy, brand recovery, and innovation in the mid-market pizza sector.
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Jan- 2024 -29 JanuaryFeatures
Franchises in and mid-market out: The year ahead for the restaurant industry
The last year has been a difficult one for the restaurant industry. While the pandemic was tough for a lot of businesses, many managed to hold on to dear life only to go out of business in the years after. This has meant that the market for buying restaurants and…
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Dec- 2023 -19 DecemberFood and Drink
SSP further expands in North America and Middle East
SSP Group has acquired Calgary-based ECG Ventures Limited and has signed a new contract with Jeddah Airport to operate three F&B packages. The group’s expansion within North America and the Middle East comes as SSP aims to pivot into higher growth markets. SSP’s acquisition of ECG in Canada will see…
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Nov- 2023 -7 NovemberNews
Today’s news in brief – 07/11/23
Oakman Inns reported an EBITDA drop from £11m to £9.8m for the year ended June 2023 due to the impact of inflation. Despite this, the group’s sales were 8% higher than the previous year, totaling just under £70m, as like-for-like sales for the core Oakman Inns business increased by 4.1%.…
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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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31 OctoberNews
Today’s news in brief – 31/10/23
Wheel Topco, which is considering a bid for The Restaurant Group, is working with Goldman Sachs on this potential deal. The move would be an attempt to disrupt TRG’s planned takeover by Apollo Global Management. The Pizza Express owner has reportedly been in discussions with TRG’s board about a potential…
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31 OctoberRestaurants
PizzaExpress hires Goldman Sachs amid proposal to acquire stake in TRG
Pizza Express is reportedly working with Goldman Sachs over launching a potential bid to acquire a large stake in The Restaurant Group (TRG), according to Sky News. The news comes after Pizza Express owner is considering a surprise move to gatecrash a takeover of TRG, the London-listed company which owns…
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26 OctoberNews
Today’s news in brief – 26/10/23
TRG has confirmed it received a request from Wheel Topco, the owner of Pizza Express, to evaluate a possible takeover offer for the company. However, TRG clarified that no formal proposal, including terms, price, or consideration, has been made by Wheel Topco. This follows reports that Pizza Express is considering…
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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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11 OctoberNews
Today’s news in brief – 11/10/23
Marston’s saw total retail sales rise by 11.2% during FY23, ended 30 September, with like-for-like sales rising by 10.1% compared with FY22. Sales for the 10-week period from 23 July to 30 September increased by 7.7% year-on-year. This included an upturn in the last five weeks, where like-for-like sales saw…
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