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.
-
Dec- 2019 -18 DecemberRestaurants
Mark Wahlberg’s Wahlburgers to relaunch as full service restaurant
Actor Mark Wahlberg’s Covent Garden restaurant Wahlbergers, which he launched with his chef brother Paul, is to relaunch as a full-service restaurant just six months after opening. Following feedback from customers over the first six months of operation and an internal review of additional growth opportunities, Wahlburgers is evolving its…
Read More » -
Nov- 2019 -19 NovemberRestaurants
Rosa’s Thai Cafe owners rescue Ceviche out of admnistration
The Ceviche restaurant group has been bought out by Rosa’s Thai Cafe founders, Alex and Saiphin Moore, after the group nearly fell into administration. The restaurant group, famed for its Peruvian food, filed an administration notice last month after wage increases and business rates created cost pressures for the group. …
Read More » -
Sep- 2019 -9 SeptemberCatering Companies
Pub and restaurant groups maintain summer momentum
Britain’s managed pub and restaurant groups saw collective like-for-like sales grow 1.6% in August compared with the same time last year. Drink-led pubs and bars, recorded the greatest growth, as sales increased 4.1% on the back of late month heatwave, according to the latest figures from the Coffer Peach Business…
Read More » -
3 SeptemberRestaurants
The Restaurant Group hit with £115.7m ‘exceptional’ pre-tax charge
The Restaurant Group (TRG) has been hit with a £115.7m ‘exceptional’ pre-tax charge in its interim results for the 26 weeks ended 30 June 2019. The pre-tax charge predominantly relates to a £100.2m impairment charge and a £10.7m onerous lease provision in its Leisure business, and as a result statutory…
Read More » -
Aug- 2019 -13 AugustAnalysis
Spotlight: Restaurant chains defying the high street downturn
Pizza Express Pizza Express has been a mainstay on the UK highstreet since it was founded in 1965. In spite of a fairly saturated Italian dining scene the brand has maintained its presence where a majority of its competitors have struggled, including Jamie’s Italian, Prezzo and Carluccio’s. One of the…
Read More » -
Jun- 2019 -24 JuneRestaurants
Island Poké to launch the UK’s first vegan tuna poké bowl
Hawaiian-inspired food company Island Poké has launched its new vegan tuna poké bowl, the first of its kind in the UK. The Vegan Ahi bowl, developed in-house, will offer a vegan alternative to Island Poké’s existing poké bowls. The restaurant group’s plant-based tuna is made through a natural process by…
Read More » -
7 JunePubs and Bars
Fazenda Bar and Grill completes internal restructure
Leeds-based law firm Blacks Solicitors LLP has overseen and helped coordinate the internal restructuring of ownership in Fazenda Rodizio Bar and Grill for investment vehicle LLB Investments Limited. City District, which owns and operates the restaurant chain and brand, chose Blacks due to an existing relationship, and the firm’s extensive…
Read More » -
May- 2019 -21 MayRestaurants
Jamie Oliver ‘saddened’ as restaurant business enters administration
Jamie Oliver’s restaurant chains have entered administration, putting up to 1,300 jobs at risk across Jamie’s Italian, Barbecoa and Fifteen. Oliver said he was “saddened” after the group appointed KPMG to handle its administration process, which will affect 25 restaurants, 23 of which are operating under the Jamie’s Italian name.…
Read More » -
2 MayRestaurants
The Restaurant Group appoints new CEO
Casual dining operator The Restaurant Group has announced the appointment of Andy Hornby as its new CEO. His start date is yet to be announced, as is the date current CEO Andy McCue will step down. McCue announced his resignation in February, citing “extenuating personal circumstances”. Hornby is an experienced…
Read More » -
Apr- 2019 -12 AprilRestaurants
Rosa’s Thai Cafe continues northern expansion
Rosa’s Thai Cafe, the restaurant group founded by Thai chef Saiphin Moore, will open its first restaurant in Leeds on 4 May in Trinity Leeds shopping centre. The new restaurant will be Rosa’s second opening outside the capital, with both in the north of England, following the launch of their…
Read More »
