The Restaurant Group
This compiles our reporting on The Restaurant Group (TRG), operator of prominent UK brands including Wagamama, Frankie & Benny’s, and Brunning & Price. We cover TRG’s strategic decisions, financial performance, brand portfolio changes, executive leadership moves, site rationalisation, and growth initiatives. Our analysis offers critical insight for restaurant operators, F&B executives, and hospitality professionals tracking the direction of one of the UK’s most influential multi-brand operators in casual dining and pub restaurants.
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Jul- 2025 -29 JulyRestaurants
Cherry Equity rescues Gusto from administration, 190 redundancies expected
Cherry Equity Partners is set to acquire the majority of Italian chain Gusto following the appointment of administrators and a pre-pack administration process, with almost 200 redundancies expected. The deal will see seven flagship Gusto restaurants continue to trade, in a move that safeguards over 300 jobs. Six restaurants will…
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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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May- 2025 -20 MayRestaurants
TRG in advanced talks to acquire number of Oakman sites
Wagamama owner The Restaurant Group (TRG) is in advanced discussions with Oakman to acquire a certain chunk of its privately held assets, according to Sky News. One of the insiders revealed to Sky that TRG, which is backed by private equity firm Apollo Global Management, was expected to acquire between…
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15 MayRestaurants
Prime by Pasture restaurant to open in Bristol in June
New restaurant Prime by Pasture is set to open in Bristol on 9 June by chef and restaurateur Sam Elliott. The new all-day dining restaurant will open on St Thomas Street in the heart of the city’s Redcliffe Quarter. Building on the success of the Pasture Restaurants, Prime by Pasture…
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Apr- 2025 -22 AprilNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief – 22/04/25
Sticks’n’Sushi has revealed that F1 world champion Fernando Alonso invested in the chain alongside McWin Food Ecosystem Fund. McWin acquired a majority shareholding in Sticks’n’Sushi in February 2024. Since the acquisition, the brand has enjoyed further expansion, opening new London locations in Richmond, Islington and Battersea Power Station. The restaurant…
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22 AprilBusiness
Sticks’n’Sushi receives investment from F1 driver Fernando Alonso
Sticks’n’Sushi has announced that two-time Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso has co-invested in the business alongside McWin Food Ecosystem Fund. McWin acquired a majority shareholding in Sticks’n’Sushi in February 2024. Since acquisition, the brand has enjoyed further expansion, opening new London locations in Richmond, Islington and Battersea Power Station.…
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Mar- 2025 -17 MarchFeatures
Private equity in hospitality: a lifeline or a looming takeover?
French restaurant group Bistrot Pierre was the latest British chain to be acquired out of administration by a private equity firm, ensuring that 10 sites will continue to trade with exactly 394 jobs saved. Private equity investment in hospitality has become a growing force that offers a financial lifeline to…
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13 MarchRestaurants
Lomond Leisure Group to open Kirk O’The Lochs restaurant and bar
Lomond Leisure Group has announced the launch of a new restaurant and bar, Kirk O’The Lochs, in the village of Tarbet, Scotland, in April 2025. The new restaurant, which seats up to 100 guests, is set in a restored historic church in the heart of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs…
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6 MarchNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief – 06/03/25
Côte Brasserie has appointed Emma Dinnis as its new CEO. Dinnis joins the French brasserie chain following a tenure as managing director of Sofology, where she led the brand’s customer-first transformation. She brings experience in retail and hospitality, having held senior leadership roles at Topshop/Topman, M&Co, Ikea, and M&S. She…
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6 MarchPeople
The Restaurant Group appoints new central operations director
The Restaurant Group has announced the appointment of Michele Bacon to the team as the new central operations director for the concessions and Barburrito division. Bacon has a wealth of hospitality experience and has worked in a variety of different roles within casual dining including Carluccios, Giraffe and Pizza Express. …
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