Fast Food

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.

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).

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.

Miss Millie’s heads east

14-Aug-2023 By Joe Lutrario

Currently Southwest-centric fried chicken chain Miss Millie’s will make its debut outside the region later this year with a site in Eastbourne.

Popeyes to make Scottish debut

08-Aug-2023 By Joe Lutrario

US-born fried chicken brand Popeyes will make its debut north of the border later this year with a drive-thru site just outside Glasgow.

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.

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.

McDonald’s admits it’s ‘fallen short’ amid fresh allegations of ‘toxic’ workplace culture

18-Jul-2023 By James McAllister

McDonald’s admits it has ‘fallen short’ following fresh allegations made by current and recent UK staff that detail a ‘toxic work environment’.

Shake Shack UK operator sees losses widen

26-Jun-2023 By Georgi Gyton

Diverse Dining, which operates the Shake Shack brand in the UK, has seen losses widen despite sales returning close to pre-pandemic levels.

How I Got Here: Anthony Murphy

20-Jun-2023 By James McAllister

The co-founder of Hereford-based burger slingers The Beefy Boys on maintaining a good work/life balance, staffing struggles, and an arrogant business decision that paid huge dividends.

Leon to launch in Italy

02-Jun-2023 By James McAllister

Leon will open its first outpost in Italy later this year in Rome as part of a partnership between SSP Group and Italian rail station operator Grandi Stationi.

Pizza Union looks to expand

01-Jun-2023 By Finn Scott-Delany

Pizza Union, the Roman-style pizza bar from Babby Hashemi, is looking for new sites across central London, and negotiating on a few potential locations.

QSR occasions rise as diners seek inexpensive meal options

31-May-2023 By James McAllister

QSR occasions have increased by 1.3 percentage points (ppts) year on year, according to new data from Lumina Intelligence, as consumers seek inexpensive meal options amid the cost-of-living crisis.

Santoro brothers to launch new fast food concept

25-May-2023 By James McAllister

A pair of vegan-focused restaurateurs are to launch a new fast food restaurant in London’s Soho that will serve both meat and plant-based dishes.

BrewDog to roll out across travel hubs under SSP partnership

23-May-2023 By James McAllister

BrewDog has partnered with SSP Group to bring the brand to various travel locations in the UK, beginning with a site at London Gatwick Airport.

Wendy’s focusing on drive-thrus to build UK footprint

11-May-2023 By Shwetali Sapte

Wendy’s first UK drive-thru is performing ahead of expectations, with the format seen as a key driver for its growth across the country, according to CEO Todd Penegor.

Eggslut moves into food halls with Market Halls partnership

10-May-2023 By James McAllister

‘Gourmet’ QSR brand Eggslut is to open its first London location housed within a food hall under a new partnership with Market Halls.

Greggs opens first airport site with SSP

09-May-2023 By Georgi Gyton

Greggs has opened its first airport site in Cardiff in partnership with SSP, marking the next milestone in the QSR bakery brand’s strategy to expand in travel hub locations.

The Vurger Co. closes Canary Wharf site as founders acquire brand in pre-pack sale

05-May-2023 By James McAllister

Vegan fast food restaurant group The Vurger Co. has been bought out of administration by its founders in a pre-pack sale.

Fish and chip prices up by a fifth

04-May-2023 By James McAllister

The average cost of a plate of fish and chips is now £9, having increased by a fifth.

McDonald’s hit with £475,000 fine after mouse infestation found at Leytonstone branch

04-May-2023 By James McAllister

McDonald’s has been fined nearly half a million pounds for violating food hygiene laws after a rodent infestation was discovered at one of its restaurants in Leytonstone.

Popeyes to open first UK drive-thru restaurant next month

26-Apr-2023 By Restaurant

US fried chicken restaurant Popeyes UK is opening the doors to its first drive-thru restaurant next month.

Atis choses Borough Yards for fifth site

14-Apr-2023 By Restaurant

Salad bowl brand Atis will open a fifth venue in the capital next month, with a sixth also in the pipeline.

Truffle Burger heads to Marylebone

11-Apr-2023 By James McAllister

London-based 'finer diner' brand Truffle Burger will open its fourth bricks and mortar site later this month in Marylebone.

Restaurant sales down 5.6% as Brits make further cutbacks

11-Apr-2023 By Joe Lutrario

The latest Barclays report is grim reading for restaurants with sales down 5.6% in March and consumer research showing that 62% of consumers are trying to cut down on eating out in full-service establishments.

Itsu ditches sushi with new hot food dine-in concept

31-Mar-2023 By James McAllister

Itsu has launched a new dine-in concept that focuses primarily on steamed hot food, with no sushi featuring on the menu.

Leon opens first location in south west of England

29-Mar-2023 By James McAllister

Healthy fast food brand Leon has opened its first location in the south west of England, on Stall Street in Bath.

Wendy's announces three more sites

28-Mar-2023 By Restaurant

Wendy’s is continuing its UK expansion with three new restaurants to open in the coming months.

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.

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.

Subway explores $10bn sale

15-Feb-2023 By Restaurant

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

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.

Tim Hortons reveals plans for 40 more restaurants in 2023

25-Nov-2022 By Restaurant

Tim Hortons plans to double its drive-thru estate across the UK with 40 new sites planned for 2023.

'Insane' energy price increases force The Bok Shop to close its Southampton and Eastbourne restaurants

18-Oct-2022 By James McAllister

Brighton-based premium fried chicken brand The Bok Shop say rising costs have forced it to close its restaurants in Southampton and Eastbourne.

Manchester vegan diner V-Rev announces permanent closure

26-Sep-2022 By James McAllister

Manchester-based vegan diner V-Rev has announced its permanent closure, just weeks after the business was forced to slash its opening hours due to the rising cost of utilities and stock.

Up, up and Oowee: the burger restaurant that chose to ditch the meat

26-Sep-2022 By James McAllister

Oowee founders Charlie Watson and Verity Foss never set out to run a vegan burger brand, but with five sites now under their belt they couldn’t imagine doing anything else.

McDonald’s and Greggs set to close UK sites for Queen’s funeral

14-Sep-2022 By James McAllister

High street operators McDonald's and Greggs have both announced they will close their UK estates on Monday (19 September) for the Queen’s funeral.

Menu calorie counts could be scrapped as Government reviews anti-obesity strategy

14-Sep-2022 By James McAllister

Larger hospitality businesses in England may no longer be required to display calorie counts on menus after Government ministers ordered an official review of its anti-obesity strategy.

Tim Hortons to open first dark kitchen as expansion drive continues apace

19-Aug-2022 By Restaurant

Canadian restaurant brand Tim Hortons is to open its first dark kitchen in London following its entrance in the capital last month.

Taco Bell reaches 100 UK sites

18-Aug-2022 By James McAllister

Mexican-inspired quick service restaurant brand Taco Bell has opened it 100th UK site following 18 months of rapid growth.

The Lowdown: Digital loyalty schemes

28-Jul-2022 By Joe Lutrario

The likes of McDonald’s, Burger King, Pret a Manger and Tortilla have all unveiled new rewards schemes within weeks of each other. Why?

Plant-based restaurant group Oowee to open in Brighton

27-Jul-2022 By Restaurant

Plant-based restaurant group Oowee is heading to Brighton for the opening of its fifth bricks and mortar venue.

Record inflation sees McDonald’s increase price of key menu items

27-Jul-2022 By Joe Lutrario

The price of a McDonald’s cheeseburger is to increase for the first time in 14 years - from 99p to £1.19 - as the fast food giant is forced to pass on rapidly rising costs to its customers.

McDonald’s takes loyalty scheme nationwide

20-Jul-2022 By Georgi Gyton

McDonald’s has expanded its first loyalty scheme in the UK, taking it nationwide, following a successful trial.

Burger King launches UK-wide loyalty programme

18-Jul-2022 By James McAllister

Burger King UK has launched a new UK-wide loyalty programme that it says will aim to drive increased customer engagement through personalised, digitally-led offers.

How I Got Here Jeremy Ford-Young

15-Jun-2022 By James McAllister

The co-founder of plant-based fast-food brand BVRGER, which launched in 2020 and now has two sites in the capital, on building his business in the midst of the pandemic.

KFC to trial using delivery-only kitchens in London

26-May-2022 By James McAllister

KFC is launching a trial of its first delivery-only kitchens in the UK, beginning in the capital.