QSR & Street Food

Tortilla reports 'record revenue' amid openings surge

27-Mar-2023 By James McAllister

Tortilla saw its revenue rise to a new record level last year, driven by a surge in openings that saw the group add a further 18 sites to its estate.

Insomnia Cookies names former Deliveroo director as UK MD

24-Mar-2023 By James McAllister

Late-night cookie concept Insomnia Cookies has appointed Ben Lacey as the head of its UK business ahead of the group's plans to launch in the country this year.

How I Got Here: Tom Stafford

22-Mar-2023 By James McAllister

The founder of Leeds-based doughnut brand Doh'hut, which recently launched its first London outpost in Exmouth Market, on promoting a healthy work/life balance and his worst doughnut creation to date.

El Mexicana heads to Gloucester Quays

22-Mar-2023 By Joe Lutrario

Burrito brand El Mexicana will launch a site in Gloucester Quays later this year bringing its total number of sites back to double figures.

Sale Foodhall falls victim to ‘unprecedented cost increases’

20-Mar-2023 By Restaurant

Sale Foodhall has announced that it will close next month, blaming rising costs over the past year.

US burger giant Carl’s Jr. instructs Christie & Co to find franchise partners for UK debut

15-Mar-2023 By Joe Lutrario

Californian burger brand Carl’s Jr. has instructed property agent Christie & Co to support its launch into the UK market by seeking out ‘several’ franchise partners to facilitate a national rollout.

Santa Maria launches food-to-go recipes for operators

14-Mar-2023 By Restaurant

Mexican food brand Santa Maria has launched a collection of food-to-go recipes to help operators offer streamlined menus that still give consumers the choice they want.

Sessions to launch in Manchester next year

14-Mar-2023 By Restaurant

Food hall brand Sessions has chosen Manchester for the launch of its second large-scale concept.

Döner Shack to make London debut with new 'innovation' restaurant

14-Mar-2023 By Restaurant

German street food concept Döner Shack is to make its debut in London with the opening of its first innovation restaurant.

Business Profile

Southern pride: the Louisiana fried chicken brand that’s coming in hot

13-Mar-2023 By James McAllister

Following a successful landing on these shores, US brand Popeyes is on course to become a dominant player in the UK’s fried chicken space.

Chopstix acquires Chozen Noodle

09-Mar-2023 By James McAllister

Chopstix Group, which owns the Chopstix Noodle Bar QSR brand, has announced the acquisition of competitor, Chozen Noodle, for an undisclosed fee.

Ramen shop Send Noods to open in Macclesfield

06-Mar-2023 By Restaurant

Cheekily named ramen restaurant Send Noods will make its debut in food hall Macclesfield Picturedrome following a marketing campaign on subscription site OnlyFans.

The Lowdown: Starbucks’ olive oil coffee

03-Mar-2023 By Stefan Chomka

The coffee chain founder Howard Shultz has found a slick way of trying to boost coffee sales.

El Mexicana restaurant group saved in pre-pack deal

03-Mar-2023 By Restaurant

Grab and go Mexican restaurant group El Mexicana has been bought out of administration.

Bibimbap to open second Scottish site in Edinburgh

03-Mar-2023 By Restaurant

Glasgow-based grab and go style Korean diner Bibimbap will open a second restaurant this spring in the Scottish capital.

Fast food restaurant Cheatmeals heads to Soho

02-Mar-2023 By Restaurant

Fast food restaurant group Cheatmeals is opening on the site of the former Ed’s Easy Diner on the corner of Old Compton Street and Moor Street in Soho.

Pret a Manger announces a further pay rise for staff

02-Mar-2023 By Restaurant

Pret a Manger has announced yet another pay rise for its staff to help with the rising cost of living.

Wendy’s aims to reach 45 UK sites by the end of 2023

02-Mar-2023 By James McAllister

Wendy’s is looking to add at least a further 15 sites to its UK estate this year.

Fat Hippo heads to Soho as it plots further expansion

02-Mar-2023 By James McAllister

Northern-based burger brand Fat Hippo will open its second London restaurant this summer, on Wardour Street in Soho.

Winglab to open in Camden

27-Feb-2023 By Restaurant

Wing specialist Winglab will open its second London restaurant, in Camden, next month.

Salad bar concept Urban Greens to make City debut next month

27-Feb-2023 By Joe Lutrario

Salad bar QSR concept Urban Greens has chosen The City’s One New Change development for its third London site.

Pret faces questions after axing smoothies and frappes

22-Feb-2023 By Finn Scott-Delany

Pret A Manger is facing questions over its coffee subscription after announcing smoothies and frappes are being scrapped from its range.

Edinburgh Food Hall Bonnie & Wild welcomes Soup & Caboodle

21-Feb-2023 By Restaurant

Scottish deli Soup & Caboodle launches at Edinburgh Food Hall Bonnie & Wild.

Knoops to make northern debut in Manchester

21-Feb-2023 By Restaurant

Hot chocolate brand Knoops will open sites in Knightsbridge, Manchester and Bath as part of its ambitious expansion plans for 2023 and beyond.

Filipino restaurant Kanto opens in Leeds

20-Feb-2023 By Restaurant

Father and son chefs Cezar and Isaac Javier have opened their debut Filipino restaurant in Leeds.

Insomnia Cookies to make UK launch

20-Feb-2023 By Shwetali Sapte

Late-night cookie concept Insomnia Cookies will launch in the UK this year, with owner Krispy Kreme saying the brand has whitespace for more than 4,000 locations globally.

Subway explores $10bn sale

15-Feb-2023 By Restaurant

Sandwich giant Subway has confirmed it is exploring a possible sale.

How I Got Here: Curtis Bell

15-Feb-2023 By James McAllister

The founder of barbecue restaurant brand From The Ashes BBQ on his troubles with tronc, loving food from a young age, and the importance of chefs concentrating on their craft.

Popeyes aiming to open multiple drive-thru locations this year

14-Feb-2023 By James McAllister

Popeyes has confirmed it will open its first drive-thru location in the UK in the coming months in Rotherham, with further roadside sites set to launch later this year.

The Lowdown: Kricket’s Fried Chicken Challenge

10-Feb-2023 By James McAllister

Kricket founders Will Bowlby and Rik Campbell hosted their inaugural Fried Chicken Challenge this week, with Black Bear Burger crowned as the capital’s chicken king.

Pizza Taxi debuts at Canteen

10-Feb-2023 By James McAllister

'Disruptive' street food brand Pizza Taxi is to launch its first location at Canteen, the food hall on Greenwich Peninsula in London.

Coco di Mama to open first regional flagship

09-Feb-2023 By James McAllister

Quick-service Italian chain Coco di Mama is to open its first site outside of the capital this week on Broad Street in Reading.

Wingstop moves into retail parks

08-Feb-2023 By Shwetali Sapte

Wingstop UK has announced plans to open its first standalone retail unit at Gallions Reach Retail Park in Beckton, East London, in spring 2023.

Manchester's Ramona and the Firehouse to open 5,000-capacity hospitality venue

01-Feb-2023 By Restaurant

The team behind Manchester restaurant, pizzeria and venue Ramona and the Firehouse will open a 5,000-capacity entertainment destination later this year.

Boxpark gets green light for first Liverpool outpost

01-Feb-2023 By James McAllister

Boxpark has received approval on planning permission for its first outpost in Liverpool, which will open later this year.

Cost pressures force Birmingham's Holy Moly Macaroni to close

24-Jan-2023 By James McAllister

Birmingham-based street food brand Holy Moly Macaroni has been forced to shutter its only restaurant site in Harborne, after rising cost pressures meant it was 'no longer feasible to continue'.

KERB heads to Berlin for first international location

23-Jan-2023 By James McAllister

London-based street food market operator KERB is to open its first overseas location next year in Berlin, Germany.

Black Bear Burger launches spin off concept 20ft Fried Chicken

19-Jan-2023 By Restaurant

Black Bear Burger is to become the latest burger brand to attempt a chicken side hustle.

Pasta Evangelists unveils plans to open 800 takeaway units

19-Jan-2023 By Restaurant

Pasta delivery brand Pasta Evangelists has launched its own takeaway service in London with plans for wider UK coverage later this year.

Sessions Islington rebrands as Neighbourhood

18-Jan-2023 By Restaurant

London-based food hall Sessions Islington has rebranded as Neighbourhood and redesigned its interior, with Japanese food expert Ivan Orkin kicking off its new chef residency.

Ice cream parlour Lazy Sundae scoops second site

18-Jan-2023 By BigHospitaliy

Manchester-based dessert brand Lazy Sundae has chosen Manchester Arndale shopping centre for its second location.

Wendy’s to launch first UK drive-thru

16-Jan-2023 By James McAllister

Wendy's is to open its first drive-thru location in the UK later this month as part of a new franchise deal for the East of England region.

800° Degrees Pizza to make its UK debut

16-Jan-2023 By Restaurant

Californian-based pizzeria 800° Degrees Pizza will make its UK debut this month, at Gravity Wandsworth.

 

Using his loaf: Sven-Hanson Britt to launch The Sandwich Shack

16-Jan-2023 By Restaurant

Oxeye chef-patron Sven-Hanson Britt is opening a sandwich bar that will operate out of his Oxeye and Bar Rex venue in London’s Embassy Gardens.

Benj Scrimgeour: “We’re not trying to change the world, we’re giving people what they want”

13-Jan-2023 By James McAllister

Despite Britain’s notoriously unreliable weather, Vinegar Yard founder Benj Scrimgeour has proven London’s appetite for outdoor-focused food courts.

Shake Shack continues central London push with Oxford Circus restaurant

13-Jan-2023 By Restaurant

Shake Shack is boosting its presence in prime central London locations with the opening of a restaurant in Oxford Circus later this month.

Crussh secures pre-pack sale

12-Jan-2023 By Finn Scott-Delany

Crussh, the healthy eating food to go chain, has been acquired in a pre-pack administration deal, saving eight stores, with three closing.

Greek restaurant Laros to make Midlands debut

11-Jan-2023 By Restaurant

North-west based Greek restaurant Laros is moving southwards and will make its debut in Birmingham this month.

How I Got Here: Huzefa Sajawal

11-Jan-2023 By James McAllister

The owner and head chef of Indo-Chinese restaurant group Fatt Pundit on how cooking with his grandmother inspired a career in hospitality, and the importance of being bold.

Pizza Pilgrims to open Carnaby ‘Nutelleria’

10-Jan-2023 By Restaurant

Pizza Pilgrims is targeting customers with a sweet tooth with the opening of a ‘Nutelleria’ outside its Kingly Court pizzeria in London’s Carnaby.