TRG
Coverage focuses on the performance, portfolio strategy, and operational shifts of one of the UK’s largest casual dining groups, including brands such as Wagamama, Frankie & Benny’s, Chiquito, and Brunning & Price. Reporting includes estate rationalisation, site disposals, digital ordering rollout, trading updates, delivery partnerships, and group-level M&A activity. Insight is tailored for operators and investors tracking mid-market dining trends, branded group consolidation, and high street recovery.
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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 -23 MayPeople
Thomas Heier steps down as Wagamama CEO
Wagamama boss Thomas Heier has decided to step down from his role as CEO after eight years to pursue other opportunities. Heier joined Wagamama in 2017 as people director before taking over as CEO in 2021, playing an instrumental role in leading the business through the numerous sector challenges over…
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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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Mar- 2025 -3 MarchPeople
Wagamama appoints new chief marketing and commercial officer
Wagamama has announced the appointment of Emma Culquhoun as its new chief marketing and commercial officer in April to support the brand’s next level of growth in the UK and beyond. Culquhoun will be responsible for overseeing Wagamama’s proposition, marketing, commercial and growth strategy, including the brand’s recently launched loyalty…
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May- 2024 -21 MayRestaurants
The Big Table Group losses widen in FY results
The Big Table Group has reported a pre-tax loss of £13.8m for the year to 29 October 2023, despite having increased its turnover from £26.1m to £31.6m. This comes after the group, which owns Café Rouge, Bella Italia, and Frankie and Benny’s, among other chains, also posted a loss of…
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Nov- 2023 -28 NovemberNews
TRG shareholders approve £506m Apollo deal
The Restaurant Group shareholders have formally voted in favour of the company sale to US-based private equity company Apollo Global Management for £506m. During a general meeting held yesterday (27 November), 93.5% of shareholders voted in favour of the cash acquisition of the group, which includes Wagamama and the pub…
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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 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 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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12 OctoberBusiness
Wagamama owner to go private in £506m deal
The Restaurant Group, the operator that owns Wagamama, has agreed to be taken private by Apollo Global for £506m after a year of financial struggles and investor pressure. The owner of about 400 restaurants and pubs across the UK has struggled with falling margins, which it attributed to soaring costs…
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