Portugal

Pret appoints former Restaurant Brands CEO as chairman

Pret A Manger has announced the appointment of José Cil, former CEO of Restaurant Brands International, which owns brands such as Burger King, Tim Hortons and Popeyes, as its new chairman. Cil helped grow that business to more than $40bn (£29.88bn) in system-wide sales and 30,000 restaurants in more than…

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Today’s news in brief – 20/02/25

The Nero Group has seen its overall sales rise by 13% to $680m (£539m) in FY24, having restarted its openings programme and added 61 new stores globally – 29 of which were in the UK. The Caffè Nero operator, which has a portfolio of 1,122 stores across 11 countries with…

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New London restaurant Tasca to open in March

A new restaurant, Tasca, is set to open at a new bar, Cav, in London Bethnal Green on 1 March.  Tasca will be a year-long kitchen residency by head chef Josh Dallaway and sommelier Sinead Murdoch.  Inspired by the dining cultures of Portugal and Spain with the food focusing on…

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Eastway Brasserie appoints new head chef

Eastway Brasserie has announced the appointment of Pedro Costa as its new head chef. Costa brings over 20 years of culinary experience and having worked in some of the most prestigious establishments. Some of his past experience includes working with the ETM Group and the exclusive Soho House. Originally from…

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Today’s news in brief – 17/06/24

The number of pubs closing permanently saw a sharp 56% rise in Q1, according to analysis of official government data by Altus Group. This is a rise from the 51 pubs a month closing during the first quarter of 2023. England’s North West region lost 35 pubs, the most of…

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Red Engine signs new franchise partnership with Loyola Group

Flight Club operator Red Engine has announced it has signed a new franchise partnership with Loyola Group. Loyola Group is the operator of multiple hospitality establishments across Ireland and Portugal and the partnership is backed by the Irish entrepreneur, Barry McGrath. This partnership will introduce Flight Club to Ireland, beginning…

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BRG agrees five-site franchise deal amid Spanish expansion

Boparan Restaurant Group (BRG) has announced a five-site franchise deal with Lagardère Travel Retail. As part of this deal it will open its second Spanish Giraffe World Kitchen site inside Barcelona airport. The Giraffe World Kitchen site will span over 4,400 sq. ft and accommodate 210 covers, with the assistance…

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Papa Johns acquires 91 DFSI sites across the UK

Papa Johns has recently announced the acquisition of restaurants previously operated by the M25 division of Drake Food Service International (DFSI) in the United Kingdom.  The new corporate-owned restaurant portfolio will consist of 91 locations across London and other parts of the UK. The company sees opportunities to implement operating…

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Mills Hill Developments appoints new executive head chef

Mills Hill Developments, owner of El Gato Negro, Canto and Habas, has announced the appointment of Carlos Gomes as executive head chef. Gomes joined the business in 2017, working alongside chef patron and creative director Simon Shaw to open Mediterranean tapas restaurant, Canto, in Ancoats, Manchester. Over the last six…

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Pret A Manger to launch in Israel

Pret A Manger has reached an initial agreement with Fox Group and Yarzin Sella Group to expand its brand into Israel. The move is part of Pret’s plan to double the size of its business within the next five years, which includes launching into five new markets by the end…

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