Turnover and profits rise at Hawksmoor
Turnover at Hawksmoor rose to nearly £110m last year led by strong like-for-like growth, an expanding US business and a new London opening.
Business & Legislation
Common Table Group to acquire 57 former Whitbread sites
Newly-formed hospitality business Common Table Group has announced plans to buy 57 former Beefeater, Brewers Fayre and Cookhouse restaurants from Whitbread.
Slim pickings: why hospitality must meet the needs of the belt-tightening brigade
With the number of GLP-1 medication users having exceeded vegetarians in the UK, the industry must accept that it’s no shrinking issue.
Turnover tops £100m at Gordon Ramsay Restaurants
Gordon Ramsay’s UK business, Gordon Ramsay Restaurants (GRR), saw turnover top £100m in 2025, rising 3% from £97.8m to £100.7m.
Farmer J reports 50% increase in revenue
Farmer J has reported around a 50% increase in revenue driven by new openings and continued like-for-like sales growth.
Cassette player: Mark Gurney on his new Covent Garden restaurant
The co-owner of Levan and Bar Levan in Peckham on making the move into central London and why the new restaurant’s focus is solely Gallic.
Dishoom’s turnover climbs amid UK expansion
Dishoom’s turnover almost hit £160m in 2025 the group’s latest accounts reveal.
Market Halls reports ‘standout’ first quarter and summer trading
Market Halls says it had a ‘standout’ first quarter and summer trading period, delivering like-for-like growth across its bars and trader partners.
Adam Byatt’s Bistro Union closes
Adam Byatt has closed his neighbourhood restaurant Bistro Union after almost 15 years.
Popeyes sees revenue soar as expansion continues
Popeyes UK saw its revenue increase by 50% to a record £178 driven by the addition of almost 50 new restaurants, its latest accounts reveal.
Government reveals £210m package to revive struggling high streets
The Government has announced a £210m funding package aimed at turning vacant high street shops, pubs and clubs into shared workspaces, cafes and community hubs.
Co-op axes its standalone On The Go format
Co-op Group has axed its standalone On The Go operation, closing all five locations as it focuses on expanding the concept within its existing estate.
Christopher’s to bow out in Covent Garden after 35 years - but says it will be back
Long-established restaurant and Martini bar Christopher’s will close its doors in Covent Garden after 35 years.
Ramo Ramen to close last remaining site
The world’s ‘first Filipino ramen joint’ will close its remaining site later this month after eight years in the capital.
Pizza Express owners explore sale
The owners of Pizza Express are reportedly exploring a sale that would value the UK high street pizza group at up to £500m.
Bow Street outlines plans for up to six acquisitions in the next three years
Bow Street Group says it plans to buy one or two businesses in the next six months and four to six over three years.
Simon Rogan: “Expanding in the UK is not a viable proposition at the moment”
Michelin-starred starred chef Simon Rogan has warned that the government’s new tourist tax could force him to shelve plans to open more restaurants in Britain.
Kricket scraps plans for Covent Garden site
Kricket has abandoned its plans to open a restaurant in Covent Garden, Restaurant has learned.
“We miss you”: Tayēr + Elementary duo dash hopes of reopening this year
Award-winning bar Tayēr + Elementary will not reopen this year after a fire forced it to close, its owners have announced.
Capdesia completes the majority acquisition of Alice Pizza
Foodservice sector specialist investor Capdesia Group has partnered with Quadrivio & Pambianco to acquire the Italian fast casual pizza chain Alice Pizza.
Restaurant Sow at Netherwood Estate closes as it leaves Open Restaurant Group’s portfolio
Restaurant Sow, located within the Netherwood Estate in Worcestershire has closed, after owner Open Restaurant Group (ORG) decided not to renew the lease on the site.
Long Read
Mursal Saiq: “We talk about food in an elitist, inaccessible way that almost scares me”
The co-founder of Texas-Afghan BBQ concept Cue Point is using her smoker and her culture to break down barriers and promote inclusivity in food.
Hospitality venues in Wales to have business rates cut by nearly a third
Hospitality businesses in Wales will receive a 30% cut in their business rates as part of the Welsh Government’s plans to breathe new life into the country’s high streets.
Exmouth Market operators ordered to reduce al fresco seating
Restaurant and pub operators in Exmouth Market in Clerkenwell have been told they face £800 fines if they don’t adhere to new outdoor seating rules.
More than 800 hospitality businesses urge Prime Minister to deliver VAT cut
More than 800 hospitality businesses have signed an open letter urging the Prime Minister to outline plans for a lower rate of VAT for the sector following comments he made earlier this year.
Comment
Can an independent become too successful for its own home?
The dispute over Bread Ahead’s future at Borough Market exposes a growing contradiction at the heart of landlord strategies towards independent operators.
Richard Caring blames ‘lacklustre economy’ for sales decline at Caprice Holdings
Caprice Holdings has reported a decline in trading during its latest financial year, which it said reflected a ‘lacklustre economic environment’ in the UK.
Five Guys named among businesses paying below minimum wage
Five Guys is among more than 600 businesses named by the government for underpaying workers the National Minimum Wage.
Yum! Brands completes Pizza Hut sale
Yum! Brands has completed the sale of Pizza Hut to US private equity firm LongRange Capital.
£10m hospitality grant scheme opens for applications
A £10m three-year grant scheme for the hospitality sector is now open for applications.
Rake at Compton Arms to close as duo turn attention to new project
Chefs Jay Claus and Syrus Pickhaver are closing the doors on their Rake at Compton Arms residency after nearly years.
One of London’s top taquerias to close
Stoke Newington’s Sonora Taqueria has announced it is to close despite having had what it says was its most successful year to date.
Savings and efficiencies drive profitability at Jamie Oliver Group
Jamie Oliver Group says business efficiencies and overhead savings helped drive growth last year.
Blacklock sees profits rise in ‘very good year’
Blacklock has reported a jump in profits in its latest financial report.
Sessions buys Little Bao Boy as it looks to international expansion
Restaurant growth platform Sessions has bought existing brand partner Little Bao Boy with plans to take the brand internationally.
LONG READ
Med ahead: a decade of Brother Marcus
The East Mediterranean dining brand celebrates 10 years of growth in a challenging market, strengthening its London presence while keeping expansion beyond the capital on the horizon.
Zero-hours contract reforms could cost employers up to £2.9bn a year
New Government modelling of different options for its zero-hours contract reforms estimates the measures could cost employers between £350m and £2.9bn a year.
Is your business ready for Martyn’s Law?
A law that requires certain public venues to improve public safety and preparedness against terrorist attacks is expected to come into full force in spring 2027, but businesses should start preparing for it now.
Westminster Council insists it is ‘not banning’ standing drinking in Soho pubs
Westminster City Council (WCC) has insisted it is not planning to ban people from standing with a drink in Soho pubs, after headlines claimed the authority wanted to stop ‘vertical drinking’ as part of a new licensing policy.
Itsu names joint managing directors
Itsu has promoted Greg Thorp and Tom Springett to joint managing directors of its restaurant business, with CEO Clive Schlee moving back into a director’s role on the board.
Wagamama enters joint venture in India as it plots 100 sites across the subcontinent
The Restaurant Group (TRG) has entered a multi-million-pound joint venture with Charcoal Concepts to accelerate the expansion of Wagamama across India.
Insight
The man leading the revival of Individual Restaurants
With its revitalised Piccolino brand and new Neapolitan pizza concept Forbici on the up, CEO Andrew Garton has found a rich vein of form at the Italian-focused group.
Michelin-starred Norwich restaurant closes
Michelin-starred restaurant Mark Poynton at Caistor Hall is closing following the departure of its chef patron.
Harts Group teases new concept as turnover rises
Harts Group will launch an ‘exciting new project’ this autumn in London’s Borough.
Domino’s reports strong half-year trading
Domino’s has reported an increase in revenue of 6.7% to £353.6m in its latest financials.
Wingstop UKI sees profits soar
Wingstop UKI has reported a 78% spike in pre-tax profits thanks to strong sales growth and cost efficiencies.
Anthony Demetre’s Vermuteria closes
Anthony Demetre has closed his 45-cover vermouth bar and restaurant in London’s Coal Drops Yard after eight years.
Lolly brings in hospitality specialist Ed Gardner to strengthen its offer
UK hospitality software house Lolly has brought in hospitality and drinks sector specialist Ed Gardner as a consultant to strengthen its offering for the managed multiple retail sector.
My Delhi makes Birmingham debut with Indian restaurant purchase
Much-loved Birmingham Indian restaurant Itihaas has been taken on by growing independent restaurant group My Delhi, ensuring the future of the city venue.
Premium Berkeley Square property hits the market
Premium address 28 Berkeley Square has hit the market with a guide price of £27.5m.