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STACK receives investment to accelerate growth

04-Jan-2024 By Restaurant

Leisure venue operator STACK has received investment from Kings Park Capital (KPC) to accelerate its growth of entertainment venues.

Jollibee eyes UK growth despite growing losses

04-Jan-2024 By James McAllister

Jollibee has set out plans to ‘significantly increase’ its UK presence by 2028, despite seeing its losses widen in its latest financial results.

Wingers signs 30 site development deal

18-Dec-2023 By Hannah Currie

Buttermilk fried chicken concept Wingers has signed a 30 site development deal for West London and the Thames Valley.

Benito’s returns to expansion trail with first franchised site

14-Dec-2023 By James McAllister

Mexican burrito brand Benito’s is returning to the expansion trail this month with the launch of its first franchised site in the departure lounge of London Luton Airport.

HMRC targets takeaways over electronic till fraud

13-Dec-2023 By Restaurant

More than 20 takeaways and restaurants in Edinburgh, London, St Helens and Stoke have been subject to unannounced visits as part of a crackdown on electronic till fraud.

Westfield Stratford City to become home to the largest Wingstop in the UK

08-Dec-2023 By Restaurant

Wingstop UK is to open its largest site yet at Westfield Stratford City in London in early 2024.

The Lowdown: CosMc’s

08-Dec-2023 By Restaurant

McDonald’s is launching a spin-off brand that appears to have Starbucks and its ilk in its cross-hairs.

KFC to acquire 218 restaurants from EG Group

06-Dec-2023 By James McAllister

KFC is to acquire more than 200 restaurants from EG Group, its largest franchisee in the UK and Ireland.

Karma Kitchen gears up for further expansion following 'landmark year'

05-Dec-2023 By James McAllister

Dark kitchen operator Karma Kitchen is targeting further growth following what it describes as a 'landmark year'.

Frequency of dining out occasions flatlines in October despite rise in consumer confidence

29-Nov-2023 By James McAllister

A combination of poor weather and financial strains led to the frequency of dining out occasions flatlining in October, research from Lumina Intelligence’s latest Eating & Drinking Out Panel shows.

Knoops targeting 200 sites following milestone fundraise

28-Nov-2023 By James McAllister

Artisanal hot chocolate café concept Knoops is looking to grow its estate to 200 sites nationwide in the medium term following a milestone £8.3m fundraise.

Burger King appoints Lance Batchelor as new chair

27-Nov-2023 By James McAllister

Burger King UK has announced that Lance Batchelor will join the group's board and be appointed chair from 1 December 2023.

KFC launches partnership with Uber Direct to boost in-house delivery channel

23-Nov-2023 By James McAllister

KFC UK & Ireland has launched an exclusive partnership with Uber Direct in order to further enhance its own delivery channel.

'Macro pressures' force Neat Burger to halve its UK estate

22-Nov-2023 By James McAllister

Neat Burger, the vegan fast food concept backed by Lewis Hamilton and Leonardo DiCaprio, is to close half of its UK estate amid large-scale financial pressures.

Rosa’s Thai named Restaurant Group of the Year

22-Nov-2023 By Restaurant

Restaurant groups Rosa’s Thai and Flat Iron were the big winners at the annual R200 Awards, which were held last night in London.

Subway set to introduce self-order kiosks into UK sites

20-Nov-2023 By James McAllister

Subway is to introduce self-order kiosks into UK sites for the first time as it looks to enhance its digital experience.

Which Wich makes another play for UK expansion

20-Nov-2023 By James McAllister

US-founded sandwich chain Which Wich is making another play for expansion across the UK through a newly launched sub-franchising model.

The Halal Guys to open in north London

15-Nov-2023 By Restaurant

US-founded fast casual chain The Halal Guys will open a site in London’s Wood Green, bringing its estate in the capital back up to two sites.

UK restaurant market growth remains behind pubs and fast food as outlet decline hinders recovery

15-Nov-2023 By James McAllister

The UK restaurant market is forecast to grow by 5.2% to a value of £18.7bn in 2023, the latest Lumina Intelligence Restaurant Market Report shows.

Joe & The Juice acquired by General Atlantic

14-Nov-2023 By Finn Scott-Delany

Joe & The Juice is set to be acquired by New York-based investment firm General Atlantic, with plans for growth across the US, Europe and the Middle East.

Urban Greens chooses Kensington for fourth location

13-Nov-2023 By Restaurant

Salad brand Urban Greens will open its fourth location in the capital next year, in Kensington.

McDonald's UK boss summoned to Parliament over allegations of ‘toxic’ workplace culture

10-Nov-2023 By James McAllister

McDonald’s UK CEO Alistair Macrow is to face questions from MPs amid growing allegations of a ‘toxic work environment’ in its UK restaurants.

The Lowdown: McDonald’s and the pro-Palestinian protestors

03-Nov-2023 By Restaurant

McDonald’s has found itself the target of apparently pro-Palestinian protests this week with activists releasing rodents into several of its UK restaurants.

Glenn Edwards departs Leon

02-Nov-2023 By Finn Scott-Delany

Leon managing director Glenn Edwards is stepping down from his role.

R200 Awards 2023 shortlists revealed

01-Nov-2023 By Restaurant

The shortlists have been revealed for the R200 Awards being held later this month.

Asda to introduce Leon brand into its stores

01-Nov-2023 By Restaurant

The Leon brand will be found within Asda supermarkets in the future following the supermarket's acquisition of EG Group’s UK business for £2bn.

Taco Bell triumphs in US ‘Taco Tuesday’ trademark fight

30-Oct-2023 By James McAllister

Taco Bell has won a lengthy legal battle in the US to cancel trademark restrictions on the popular marketing phrase ‘Taco Tuesday’.

KFC ends Deliveroo partnership to focus on 'better commercials' with other aggregators

26-Oct-2023 By James McAllister

KFC has ended its partnership with Deliveroo to focus its efforts on other delivery channels, including its own.

Pret looks to accelerate US expansion through new joint venture

20-Oct-2023 By James McAllister

Pret A Manger is to accelerate its expansion in the US through a new joint venture (JV) with existing franchisee, Dallas International.

I am Döner signs first London franchise

04-Oct-2023 By Hannah Currie

I am Döner will open its first site in London after signing its first franchise deal in the capital.

McDonald’s and Wendy’s triumph in US lawsuit over burger size

03-Oct-2023 By James McAllister

McDonald’s and Wendy’s have defeated a New York lawsuit that accused them of misleading diners over the size of their burgers in a case that could potentially have ramifications for similar trials in the US.

US-based Korean fried chicken brand Bonchon looks to take flight in UK

27-Sep-2023 By James McAllister

US-based Korean fried chicken chain Bonchon has partnered with property adviser Christie & Co to bring its fast-expanding concept to the UK.

Chick-fil-A plots UK return

14-Sep-2023 By Restaurant

US fast food chain Chick-fil-A has announced it is planning to relaunch in the UK in early 2025 and expand to five sites within the first two years.

Dunkin’ tees up London flagship amid aim to double UK estate in two years

11-Sep-2023 By James McAllister

Coffee and donut chain Dunkin’ will open a new flagship store in London later this month under plans to double its UK estate over the next two years.

The Lowdown: Burger King’s Whopper lawsuit

08-Sep-2023 By James McAllister

Burger King is facing a lawsuit from customers in the US who allege it makes its Whopper burger appear larger on its menus than it is in reality.

Hospitality price increases track below inflation level

07-Sep-2023 By Restaurant

Average Transaction Values (ATV) across the F&B sector have risen below the level of inflation over the past two years, new data shows.

Wingers launches franchising with plans for 50 new sites

30-Aug-2023 By Hannah Currie

Buttermilk fried chicken concept Wingers plans to double its estate by the end of the year as it opts to expand through the franchising route.

Insomnia Cookies makes UK debut with double Manchester opening

30-Aug-2023 By James McAllister

Late-night cookie concept Insomnia Cookies has made its UK debut this week with a double opening in Manchester.

Greater demand for value offerings sees plant-based diners shift away branded meat alternatives

25-Aug-2023 By Hannah Currie

Plant-based consumers are increasingly value led when eating out, according to data from Lumina Intelligence.

Subway announces sale to Roark Capital

25-Aug-2023 By James McAllister

Subway has entered into an agreement to be acquired by affiliates of Roark Capital, the owner of US chains Arby’s and Buffalo Wild Wings, for a reported $9.55bn (£7.6bn).

Club Pret doubles discount ahead of international launch

24-Aug-2023 By Hannah Currie

Pret has doubled its Club Pret discount from 10% to 20% ahead of its international launch.

Subway nears $9.6bn sale to Roark Capital

22-Aug-2023 By James McAllister

Sandwich giant Subway is set to be acquired by Roark Capital, the owner of US chains Arby’s and Buffalo Wild Wings, in a deal worth $9.6bn.

KFC moves into retail with limited-edition popcorn

21-Aug-2023 By James McAllister

KFC UK has moved into the omnichannel retail space with the launch of a new, limited-edition popcorn flavour.

Pret secures Northern Ireland foothold

17-Aug-2023 By James McAllister

Pret A Manger will open its first site in Northern Ireland later this year in Belfast city centre.

Chain restaurants drive menu price increases

07-Aug-2023 By Restaurant

Food menu inflation has increased by 14.4% year-on-year, according to Lumina Intelligence’s latest Menu Tracker Quarterly Report of Q2 2023, driven primarily by chain restaurants and QSR operators.

The Lowdown: KFC's omakase dining experience

04-Aug-2023 By James McAllister

The Colonel has used the capital’s growing appetite for omakase restaurants as inspiration for the launch of its latest burger special.

Popeyes UK secures £50m funding package to drive next phase of growth

01-Aug-2023 By James McAllister

Popeyes UK has secured £50m of additional funding from private equity firm TDR Capital to accelerate its restaurant opening programme.

The Lowdown: Wings & Rings

28-Jul-2023 By James McAllister

Popeyes UK has launched a wedding catering service for those looking to add a little Cajun spice to their nuptials.

McDonald’s plans small-format spinoff brand

28-Jul-2023 By James McAllister

McDonald’s is developing a small-format spinoff restaurant chain called CosMc’s, which it plans to test in a handful of sites in early 2024.

McDonald’s launches dedicated unit to investigate workplace allegations

24-Jul-2023 By James McAllister

McDonald’s has established a dedicated Investigation Handling Unit following fresh allegations published last week that detailed a ‘toxic work environment’ in its UK restaurants.