Sold
We report on business sales and ownership changes across the UK foodservice and hospitality sector, including restaurant acquisitions, pub disposals, catering firm takeovers, and brand portfolio restructures. Our coverage captures whoโs buying, whoโs selling, and why, with commercial context that matters to operators, F&B executives, and group-level decision-makers. Whether itโs a strategic divestment, private equity deal, or local venue sale, we break down what the transaction means for market positioning, leadership, and operational continuity across the industry.
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Aug- 2018 -15 AugustPeople
Dabbous team reunite for series of exclusive dinners
Ollie Dabbous, founder of the eponymous Dabbous restaurant in Londonโs Fitzrovia, will be reunited with his kitchen team as they host two bespoke dinners at Wellbourne Brasserie this autumn. The well-reviewed Dabbous opened in 2012 and was the British chefโs first outlet, but closed in 2017 shortly after the site…
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14 AugustBusiness
City Pub Co acquires historic Milkmaid Pavilion restaurant
Brightonโs historic Milkmaid Pavilion on its promenade has been acquired by City Pub Co after it previously ran under the name Alfresco. Most recently owned by Brighton & Hove City Council, the premises was originally built as part of the Festival of Britain in 1951. The transaction was brokered by…
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7 AugustOpinion
Is the demise of restaurant chains a good thing for local independents?
The Gaucho restaurant group is the latest in a list of chain restaurants to appoint administrators or announce restructuring and branch closures. The news, including the closure of their 22 Cau restaurants follows on from the restructuring of Jamieโs Italian, Prezzo, Cafรฉ Rouge, Byron and Strada. In my home city…
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7 AugustCafes and Coffee Shops
Pret A Manger introduces genderless gingerbread men
Pret A Manger has decided to make its gingerbread men genderless and call them gingerbread biscuits instead. The decision was made after the sandwich chainโs CEO Clive Schlee received a letter from one of its customers, whose niece Annie asked why Pret only had gingerbread men. So far, the chain…
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1 AugustRestaurants
Ed Bainesโ โRandell and Aubinโ restaurant for sale
TV chef Ed Bainesโ โRandell and Aubinโ restaurant in Manchester has been listed for sale with a lease price of ยฃ80,000 per year. The seafood restaurant was opened in late 2017 in an attempt to replicate the success of Randell and Aubinโs Soho branch which has been a staple of…
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Jul- 2018 -18 JulyFood and Drink
KFC fined ยฃ35,000 for selling undercooked chicken
A Welsh branch of KFC has been fined ยฃ35,000 after it was found to have sold under-cooked chicken. Environmental health officers working for Caerphilly Council found that on 4 February 2017 three pieces of fried chicken were served to a customer that had not been thoroughly cooked. The customer alerted…
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Jun- 2018 -25 JuneRestaurants
Texture Restaurant Group sells one of its 28ยฐ-50ยฐ restaurants
The one of the three 28ยฐ-50ยฐ restaurants owned by the Texture Restaurant Group has been sold to Cliffords Restaurants for an undisclosed amount. The Wine Workshop and Kitchen on Fetter Lane is the first restaurant to be sold by the group, and offers for its two other sites are currently…
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18 JuneBeverages
Novotel brings alcohol-infused ice lollies to its bars
Novotel is launching an exclusive collection of five alcohol-infused ice lollies at its participating bars in the UK. The Summer Coolers range takes inspiration from some of Britainโs top cocktails and it will be the first time that a bespoke range of alcohol-infused ice lollies has been sold in Novotel…
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11 JuneFeatures
The growing popularity of afternoon tea
โAccording to OpenTable, bookings for afternoon tea have increased by 54% over the past two years, and it has been found that 20% of the UK population now expect afternoon tea to be a standard offering on the menu. Whilst the traditional afternoon tea of sandwiches, scones and sponge cakes…
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6 JuneCafes and Coffee Shops
Eatโs bread leftovers to be used for Toast Ale craft beer
Sandwich chain Eat has announced a new partnership with Toast Ale to give its leftover bread to the beer company for brewing purposes. The bread will be used in the production of craft beers that will be sold in Eatโs five licenced premises. Eat is using the partnership as a…
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