- Dishoom is continuing its expansion south of the Thames, with the Indian restaurant group appearing to have lined up the former Las Iguanas site at London’s South Bank. A planning application submitted to Lambeth Council seeks permission to add a glazed veranda with a retractable roof around the existing terrace at Unit 14, Royal Festival Hall. The move comes as the group also prepares to open in Borough. The South Bank application is still awaiting a decision and is supported by plans, rendered elevations and supporting heritage and flood-risk documents.
- Stoke Newington’s Sonora Taqueria has announced that it will close at the end of October, despite the owners describing the past year as their most successful to date. Husband and wife duo Michelle Salazar de la Rocha and Sam Napier revealed the restaurant’s final service will be on 31 October, after which they will take an indefinite break from the business. The pair acknowledged the decision may come as a surprise, but added that they have spent recent months stripping back parts of the taqueria that had become a burden and focusing on enjoying themselves. While they are unsure what comes next, they say they are excited about the future.
- US restaurant brand Houston Hot Chicken will open its second UK site at the Brunswick Centre in Bloomsbury, near Russell Square, this winter. The London opening will follow the brand’s first UK restaurant in Stevenage, which is due to launch this autumn. The Nashville-style fried chicken concept will make its UK debut as part of Pizza Express’ plans to launch three Houston Hot Chicken sites this year and 50 over the next three years, following its acquisition of the brand’s UK franchise rights. Backed by restaurant-focused private equity firm Savory Fund, the chain specialises in hot chicken tenders, waffles, nuggets and sandwiches.
- Five Guys has been named among more than 600 businesses found by the government to be underpaying workers the National Minimum Wage. The burger chain was included in the latest list from the Department for Business & Trade, with the review finding that it owed more than £54,600 to 3,699 workers. Five Guys said the underpayments, identified during an HMRC review, were down to “technical differences in how payroll regulations were applied”, adding that it had worked with HMRC and made all required payments to affected current and former employees. Other restaurant businesses named included two McDonald’s operators, which were found to have owed around £18,300 to 515 workers and more than £11,000 to 282 workers respectively.
- Popeyes UK has launched its first loyalty programme, giving customers the chance to earn points on purchases made both online and in its restaurants. Popeyes Rewards launched through the brand’s app, where members earn 100 points for every £1 spent on eligible purchases, which can then be redeemed against menu items. Points can be collected through the app and website, as well as at restaurant counters and self-service kiosks. The programme will also feature quarterly competitions and brand collaborations under the name Mardi Gras Moments, with the first offering a £10,000 cash prize and free chicken sandwiches for life.