Market Halls reports rise in sales during ‘landmark year’
Market Halls has reported a rise in turnover and adjusted EBITDA in what it describes as a ‘landmark year’ for the business.
Business & Legislation
Dave’s Hot Chicken eyes European expansion after making Ireland debut
Dave’s Hot Chicken is continuing its expansion with the opening of two sites within a week.
Comment
Hospitality is hurting. Food halls are thriving. Here’s why
The food hall model is proving resilient in an otherwise challenging sector thanks to a number of factors.
10 brands to watch: part one
In this first of a two-part feature we identify the brands that are deserving of your attention.
Le Vacherin bids au revoir after 24 years
Chiswick restaurant Le Vacherin has closed its doors after nearly a quarter of a century in business.
Finance
Turtle Bay to close three sites as part of CVA proposal
Turtle Bay will close three of its restaurants and renegotiate around a third of its remaining estate under proposals for a company voluntary arrangement (CVA).
Wok the line: how Wagamama is fighting the challenges of casual dining
Long considered a successful outlier to the segment’s macro struggles, the pan-Asian brand has sought to overcome recent poor performance by investing in its value proposition and menu innovation.
Mission Mars considers overseas expansion after reporting record revenues
The group behind the Rudy’s and Albert’s Schloss brands has reported record revenues and says it is considering overseas expansion.
Donny’s Deli closes after less than a year but promises a return
A kebab shop that closed and then reopened as a sandwich shop and deli under the same ownership has closed again, with its owner saying they ‘couldn’t make the numbers work’.
UKHospitality publishes nutrition guide
UKHospitality has launched a nutrition guide that offers support for hospitality businesses wanting to enhance their healthy menu options.
finance
Coppa Collective reports sales uplift in first half of the year
Coppa Collective has described the first half of its financial year as ‘a period of good progress’, with a rise in like-for-like sales.
Comment
Is Pizza Express too late to the fried chicken party?
In a move that sounds familiar, the casual dining chain is bringing a US fried chicken brand to these shores.
VATsTheProblem launches online shop for hospitality operators
An online shop with assets available for operators to use in their venues to encourage consumers to sign the petition to back 10% hospitality VAT has launched.
Morito in Hackney closes after a decade
Sam and Sam Clarke have closed the Hackney site of their tapas and mezze brand Morito after a decade.
Yum! Brands sells Pizza Hut for $2.7bn
Yum! Brands has agreed to sell its Pizza Hut chain in a deal worth $2.7bn (£2bn).
Comment
Is Andy Burnham hospitality’s knight in shining armour?
The Mayor of Greater Manchester is wooing the hospitality sector with talk of support if he becomes PM.
Gail’s appoints its first international MD as it sets its sights overseas
Gail’s has signalled its intention to grow its brand overseas with the appointment of its first international managing director.
VAT campaign hits new milestone
A campaign calling for VAT on hospitality to be cut from 20% to 10% has surpassed 200,000 signatures.
Comment
The VAT campaign has legs - we must not let inertia become the problem
The #VATsTheProblem campaign has got off to a strong start, now it’s time for the industry to ensure it keeps its momentum.
Los Mochis owner reports record sales as it eyes international expansion
Thesleff Group achieved record sales of £37.8m in the year ended December 2025 and predicts turnover will reach almost £65m in 2026.
Chefs back Andy Burnham’s pledges to cut business rates for hospitality
Andy Burnham has said he would abolish business rates for cafés and cut rates for pubs and music venues by 20% if he becomes prime minister.
Future of much-loved cafe and bar Balans in doubt
The future of Soho institution Balans is in doubt following an email saying the group is ‘no longer trading’.
MEATLiquor sites sold to former director in pre-pack deal
MEATLiquor’s London restaurants in Oxford Circus and East Dulwich and its sister sports bar BLOODsports, were bought from administration by former director Nabil Mankarious.
Prezzo Italian rolls out its Pronto Pasta QSR brand
Brava Hospitality is rolling out its delivery-only virtual brand across its Prezzo Italian estate following a successful trial phase.
MAYA in Manchester closes after just two years
Three-storey Manchester restaurant MAYA has closed after just two years with its owners blaming the current economic environment for small businesses.
Birmingham restaurant Simpsons to close after 32 years
Birmingham Michelin-starred restaurant Simpsons is to close after more than three decades after failing to find a new owner.
Big Mamma reports rise in turnover as it plots more UK restaurants
Turnover at Big Mamma rose by a quarter in 2025 with the casual dining group reporting ‘high demand’ across its UK restaurant estate.
Leon gets green light from creditors to emerge from administration
Leon will emerge from administration after receiving unanimous support from creditors who voted as part of the Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA).
Junk Group continues its push across the capital with four new sites
Junk Group, the French hospitality brand behind smash burger concept Junk and cookie brand Puffy, plans four new openings over the summer as it continues its expansion in the capital.
A tax break for kids’ meals doesn’t go far enough, but it also shouldn’t trigger a tantrum
Some of the loudest voices in the industry are being a bit childish over the Great British Summer Savings Scheme.
Market Halls’ Games Hall concept to take flight
Market Halls is expanding the competitive socialising Games Hall concept it launched at the end of last year.
Farm Girl to launch fundraise ahead of Mayfair opening
Healthy food brand Farm Girl is launching a crowdfund to support the opening of its fourth location.
Tube strikes planned for this week suspended
Tube strikes that were due to take place on Tuesday and Thursday this week have been called off by the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT).
Bunsik to open final company-owned site as its looks towards franchising
Bunsik will open what it says will be its final company-owned site, with future expansion expected to focus primarily on franchise-led growth.
Comment
Comment: is Pizza Express’ new QSR format a masterstroke or pie in the sky?
The casual dining pizza giant’s new, smaller format in Brixton targeting on-the-go eating has divided opinion...
Creative Restaurant Group sells Japanese restaurant NIJŪ
Creative Restaurant Group has sold its Japanese restaurant NIJŪ in Mayfair to investment group DMIG.
Dirty Bones closes Carnaby restaurant
New York-inspired restaurant brand Dirty Bones has announced the closure of its Carnaby site.
70-year-old restaurant group Spaghetti House closes
One of the UK’s oldest restaurant groups has closed all of its sites after falling into administration.
UKHospitality slams ‘nonsensical’ holiday tax decision
The inclusion of a holiday tax bill in the King’s Speech yesterday (13 May) will make UK staycations more expensive, UKHospitality has warned.
Shaftesbury Capital says demand for space remains high in 2026
Shaftesbury Capital says there continues to be competitive demand for space in its high-footfall destinations as it reported a ‘positive start’ to the year.
Rosa’s Thai reports sales increase as it secures new finance deal
Rosa’s Thai has reported a rise in annual sales that push it past the £50m mark.
Coppa Collective sees revenues rise, led by its Coppa Club brand
Coppa Collective has reported a rise in like-for-like sales and group revenue in its half-year trading update.
Evolv Collection reports ‘transformative period’ of growth
The Evolv Collection has reported revenue of £151.6m for the 15 months ending 31 December 2025 with ‘healthy’ life-for-like growth across its 28-strong UK and US estate.
Mark Selby: " I would get into a cold sweat whenever I read about a new Mexican restaurant opening"
The Wahaca co-founder has moved from CEO to the less hands-on role of chairman, but he’s no less focused on its evolution and growth.
Big Table gets green light to proceed with Las Iguanas restructuring plan
The future of the Las Iguanas group is to go to a creditor vote after its owner received approval from the High Court.
Thinking outside the box: how big pizza is embracing sourdough
The UK’s largest pizza chains are adding artisan-inspired products to their core range amid intense competition from smaller-scale, on-trend brands
Carl Clarke steps away from Chicken Shop
Carl Clarke, founder of Chicken Shop (formerly Chik’n), has stepped away from the business following the announcement that Kitchen Ventures has acquired a majority stake in the brand.
Majority of The Real Greek sites saved as Côte owner makes purchase
The Real Greek will continue to have a presence on UK high streets following the purchase of 19 of its 28 restaurants.
Heston Blumenthal eyes expansion following strategic investment from COMO Group
Heston Blumenthal’s The Fat Duck Group says it is looking build on recent growth and explore expansion opportunities following a strategic investment from COMO Group.
Beefeater and Brewers Fayre restaurants to close with 3,800 jobs at risk
Premier Inn owner Whitbread is to close its Beefeater and Brewers Fayre restaurants, with the loss of around 3,800 jobs.