New chairman appointed at Rick Stein Restaurants
Richard Banks has stepped down as chairman of Rick Stein Restaurants after serving in the role for nearly four years.
The group stated that Banks, the former chief executive of UK Asset Resolution, has stepped down from the position he has held since 2021 due to personal reasons.
He has been succeeded by Mark Hixon, who has been promoted from his position as non-executive director at Rick Stein Restaurants.
Hixon.
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The group stated that Banks, the former chief executive of UK Asset Resolution, has stepped down from the position he has held since 2021 due to personal reasons.
He has been succeeded by Mark Hixon, who has been promoted from his position as non-executive director at Rick Stein Restaurants.
Hixon.
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10/Apr/2025 13:51
Yard Sale Pizza secures investment to support its plans for expansion
Yard Sale Pizza has received backing from investment firm Piper to accelerate its expansion across the UK.
The brand aims to grow to 40 sites within five years, having identified up to 500 potential locations across the UK.
Founded in 2013 by Johnnie Tate and Nick Buckland, Yard Sale Pizza now operates 14 sites across London and recorded a turnover of £13m for the year ending April 2025.
Tate.
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The brand aims to grow to 40 sites within five years, having identified up to 500 potential locations across the UK.
Founded in 2013 by Johnnie Tate and Nick Buckland, Yard Sale Pizza now operates 14 sites across London and recorded a turnover of £13m for the year ending April 2025.
Tate.
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08/Apr/2025 09:23
Chipotle to open first Essex restaurant
Chipotle opened it first location in Essex last week after securing a site at Lakeside Shopping Centre.
The group made its UK debut on Charing Cross Road in 2010 and has since largely focused on London locations, with only two previous ventures outside the capital—in Guildford and Watford, the latter of which closed at the end of last year.
Chipotle currently operates around 20 locations across the UK.
Each restaurant offers a signature menu featuring burritos.
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The group made its UK debut on Charing Cross Road in 2010 and has since largely focused on London locations, with only two previous ventures outside the capital—in Guildford and Watford, the latter of which closed at the end of last year.
Chipotle currently operates around 20 locations across the UK.
Each restaurant offers a signature menu featuring burritos.
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07/Apr/2025 09:29
Kricket continuing its expansion with the launch of a new site in Covent Garden
The modern Indian restaurant group Kricket is set to open a spacious new location in Covent Garden later this year, expanding its London presence to five restaurants.
The opening follows the recent launch of a site in Canary Wharf late last year and another in Shoreditch at the beginning of last month.
Situated in Neal’s Yard within Covent Garden’s Seven Dials area, the new Kricket site will span 4,000 sq ft and accommodate over 130 diners. Similar to its Shoreditch location, it will operate as an all-day restaurant.
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The opening follows the recent launch of a site in Canary Wharf late last year and another in Shoreditch at the beginning of last month.
Situated in Neal’s Yard within Covent Garden’s Seven Dials area, the new Kricket site will span 4,000 sq ft and accommodate over 130 diners. Similar to its Shoreditch location, it will operate as an all-day restaurant.
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04/Apr/2025 10:56
PizzaExpress shareholders invest £20m in refinancing boost
PizzaExpress has finalised a refinancing deal to strengthen its balance sheet after an already strong start to the year.
The restaurant group, one of Britain’s largest casual dining chains with around 350 locations, has secured a £55m par debt paydown, lowering its total debt to £280m.
As part of the refinancing, shareholders will invest £20m in equity into the chain’s parent company, Wheel Topco.
PizzaExpress stated it had secured 'strong support' to extend the maturity of its senior secured notes from July 2026 to September 2029.
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The restaurant group, one of Britain’s largest casual dining chains with around 350 locations, has secured a £55m par debt paydown, lowering its total debt to £280m.
As part of the refinancing, shareholders will invest £20m in equity into the chain’s parent company, Wheel Topco.
PizzaExpress stated it had secured 'strong support' to extend the maturity of its senior secured notes from July 2026 to September 2029.
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03/Apr/2025 10:07
Team behind Higher Ground prepares to launch new seafood restaurant and bar
The team behind Manchester's Bib Gourmand restaurant, Higher Ground, has revealed plans to launch Bar Shrimp later this year.
Daniel Craig Martin, Joseph Otway, and Richard Cossins—the team behind Higher Ground and wine bar Flawd—are set to open a casual British seafood and snacks venue, Bar Shrimp, in Manchester city centre this winter.
Bar Shrimp will also feature cocktails, draft beers, and live music, though further details remain under wraps.
Higher Ground began as a pop-up in Manchester in early 2020 after its founders connected with a breeder raising pasture-fed cows in Cheshire woodlands as part of a regenerative food system.
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Daniel Craig Martin, Joseph Otway, and Richard Cossins—the team behind Higher Ground and wine bar Flawd—are set to open a casual British seafood and snacks venue, Bar Shrimp, in Manchester city centre this winter.
Bar Shrimp will also feature cocktails, draft beers, and live music, though further details remain under wraps.
Higher Ground began as a pop-up in Manchester in early 2020 after its founders connected with a breeder raising pasture-fed cows in Cheshire woodlands as part of a regenerative food system.
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31/Mar/2025 09:28
Kerb to launch two new London venues this year
Street food operator Kerb is preparing to open two new London venues this year following a £32.2m surge in revenue.
The Compass-backed food hall and events business reported an 89% revenue increase, rising from £17m in 2022 to £23.5m in 2023.
In its financial results for the year ending 31 March 2024, Kerb Group reported a pre-tax profit of £77,897, attributing its revenue growth to high-profile events and management contracts.
Kerb’s flagship food hall in London’s Covent Garden.
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The Compass-backed food hall and events business reported an 89% revenue increase, rising from £17m in 2022 to £23.5m in 2023.
In its financial results for the year ending 31 March 2024, Kerb Group reported a pre-tax profit of £77,897, attributing its revenue growth to high-profile events and management contracts.
Kerb’s flagship food hall in London’s Covent Garden.
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27/Mar/2025 07:15
Roti King to open its first regional restaurant in Brighton
Roti King is set to open its first regional restaurant in Brighton this May, a decade after its debut in London.
Roti King Brighton will feature 50 covers in a Grade II-listed building in the Lanes, showcasing Malaysian street art and serving authentic Malaysian Tamil cuisine.
The menu will feature dishes such as roti canai served with dhal, chicken, mutton, or fish kari, along with Char Kway Teow – chewy rice noodles stir-fried with prawn and egg – and Malaysian fried chicken marinated in garlic.
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Roti King Brighton will feature 50 covers in a Grade II-listed building in the Lanes, showcasing Malaysian street art and serving authentic Malaysian Tamil cuisine.
The menu will feature dishes such as roti canai served with dhal, chicken, mutton, or fish kari, along with Char Kway Teow – chewy rice noodles stir-fried with prawn and egg – and Malaysian fried chicken marinated in garlic.
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25/Mar/2025 07:18
Clink Events has secured a spot on the approved catering list at London’s Science Museum
Social enterprise Clink Events has been named an approved caterer at the Science Museum in South London.
Clink Events is a branch of the Clink Charity, which has been providing prisoners on day release and young people at risk of offending with new opportunities since 2009.
The catering arm of Clink Events has expanded its operations in recent years, serving 218 events and delivering 28,520 training hours for young adults in 2024.
Clink Events is also an approved caterer at prestigious London venues.
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Clink Events is a branch of the Clink Charity, which has been providing prisoners on day release and young people at risk of offending with new opportunities since 2009.
The catering arm of Clink Events has expanded its operations in recent years, serving 218 events and delivering 28,520 training hours for young adults in 2024.
Clink Events is also an approved caterer at prestigious London venues.
more »
18/Mar/2025 12:57
Boxpark’s Boxhall City has revealed its lineup of food and beverage traders
Club Mexicana and Gaucho are among the 13 food and drink traders set to join Boxhall City in London’s Liverpool Street when it opens next month.
Gaucho will introduce a new concept, Gaucho Go, serving its signature steak and chips, burgers, and new dishes, including a twist on the classic hot dog.
Boxpark, known for its shipping container concept, first announced plans for its sister brand’s debut in early 2022, originally aiming for a summer 2023 launch.
Boxhall City was envisioned as an all-day dining destination.
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Gaucho will introduce a new concept, Gaucho Go, serving its signature steak and chips, burgers, and new dishes, including a twist on the classic hot dog.
Boxpark, known for its shipping container concept, first announced plans for its sister brand’s debut in early 2022, originally aiming for a summer 2023 launch.
Boxhall City was envisioned as an all-day dining destination.
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17/Mar/2025 14:11
Plant-based restaurant Holy Carrot reveals plans to open second location in London
Holy Carrot, the plant-based restaurant, has announced plans to open a second location in London.
The restaurant's second location will be in Old Spitalfields Market, with plans to open in late 2025.
Holy Carrot was founded by Irina Linovich in 2020, initially starting as a series of pop-ups and residencies across London and Bicester Village.
This was followed by the opening of a 60-cover flagship restaurant and cocktail bar in Notting Hill.
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The restaurant's second location will be in Old Spitalfields Market, with plans to open in late 2025.
Holy Carrot was founded by Irina Linovich in 2020, initially starting as a series of pop-ups and residencies across London and Bicester Village.
This was followed by the opening of a 60-cover flagship restaurant and cocktail bar in Notting Hill.
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17/Mar/2025 13:53
Rare Restaurants appoints Baton Berisha as new CEO
Baton Berisha has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of Rare Restaurants, the parent company of Gaucho and M Restaurants.
Berisha, who assumes his role immediately, previously spent seven years at the Ivy Collection and had a brief tenure as managing director at D&D London.
He was recruited by the Wolseley Hospitality Group in 2022, shortly after its owners, Minor International, took control from founder Jeremy King. However, he resigned last summer to explore new opportunities.
Berisha takes over from former Rare Restaurants CEO Martin Williams.
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Berisha, who assumes his role immediately, previously spent seven years at the Ivy Collection and had a brief tenure as managing director at D&D London.
He was recruited by the Wolseley Hospitality Group in 2022, shortly after its owners, Minor International, took control from founder Jeremy King. However, he resigned last summer to explore new opportunities.
Berisha takes over from former Rare Restaurants CEO Martin Williams.
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14/Mar/2025 17:13
Côte Brasserie has appointed Emma Dinnis as its new CEO
Côte Brasserie has announced the appointment of Emma Dinnis as its new Chief Executive Officer. The French brasserie made the move to build on its strong momentum as it looks toward its next chapter.
Dinnis joins Côte after a successful tenure as Managing Director at Sofology, where she led the brand’s customer-first transformation.
With extensive experience in retail and hospitality, Dinnis has also held senior leadership roles at Topshop/Topman, M&Co, IKEA, and Marks & Spencer. She brings deep expertise in brand evolution.
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Dinnis joins Côte after a successful tenure as Managing Director at Sofology, where she led the brand’s customer-first transformation.
With extensive experience in retail and hospitality, Dinnis has also held senior leadership roles at Topshop/Topman, M&Co, IKEA, and Marks & Spencer. She brings deep expertise in brand evolution.
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10/Mar/2025 10:36
Bistrot Pierre sold through pre-pack administration deal, resulting in 158 job losses
French restaurant group Bistrot Pierre has been bought out of pre-pack administration, securing nearly 400 jobs.
Cherry Equity Partners, a new investment platform led by hospitality executive Ed Strandring, has acquired a portion of the business.
The deal ensures that ten Bistrot Pierre restaurants across the country will continue to operate, safeguarding 394 jobs.
However, eight restaurants will close immediately.
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Cherry Equity Partners, a new investment platform led by hospitality executive Ed Strandring, has acquired a portion of the business.
The deal ensures that ten Bistrot Pierre restaurants across the country will continue to operate, safeguarding 394 jobs.
However, eight restaurants will close immediately.
more »
10/Mar/2025 10:30
Boxpark appoint Matt Snell as CEO
Hospitality and leisure group Boxpark has appointed Matt Snell as its new Chief Executive.
Before joining Boxpark, Matt Snell worked at British meal kit retailer Gusto Italian, where he started as Managing Director in 2018 before being promoted to CEO in 2020. In this role, he led the company's expansion across the UK.
Prior to that, Snell held senior roles at well-known hospitality brands, including Fuller’s, Smith & Turner, and Red’s True Barbecue.
As Chief Operating Officer of brewing specialist Fuller’s from 2012 to 2015.
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Before joining Boxpark, Matt Snell worked at British meal kit retailer Gusto Italian, where he started as Managing Director in 2018 before being promoted to CEO in 2020. In this role, he led the company's expansion across the UK.
Prior to that, Snell held senior roles at well-known hospitality brands, including Fuller’s, Smith & Turner, and Red’s True Barbecue.
As Chief Operating Officer of brewing specialist Fuller’s from 2012 to 2015.
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05/Mar/2025 13:30
Blacklock set to open first restaurant in Birmingham
Blacklock is set to open its first restaurant in Birmingham this autumn.
The chophouse group will convert the ground floor of St Philip's House in the city centre into a 100-seat restaurant and bar.
This will be Blacklock's seventh restaurant since it was founded by former lawyer Gordon Ker in a Soho basement in 2015.
Since then, Blacklock has expanded with the opening of Blacklock City in 2017.
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The chophouse group will convert the ground floor of St Philip's House in the city centre into a 100-seat restaurant and bar.
This will be Blacklock's seventh restaurant since it was founded by former lawyer Gordon Ker in a Soho basement in 2015.
Since then, Blacklock has expanded with the opening of Blacklock City in 2017.
more »
04/Mar/2025 08:19
Stack to open new venues in 2025
The success of a leading North East-based leisure company is set to continue in 2025, with plans to launch four new venues.
STACK, known for transforming repurposed shipping containers and revitalising redundant buildings into food and entertainment hubs, had a highly successful 2024 with the launch of three new sites.
This success is set to be surpassed in 2025, with the company confirming the opening of four more sites over the next 12 months.
The highly anticipated flagship site at the historic Worswick Chambers is on track to open in late spring as STACK Newcastle.
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STACK, known for transforming repurposed shipping containers and revitalising redundant buildings into food and entertainment hubs, had a highly successful 2024 with the launch of three new sites.
This success is set to be surpassed in 2025, with the company confirming the opening of four more sites over the next 12 months.
The highly anticipated flagship site at the historic Worswick Chambers is on track to open in late spring as STACK Newcastle.
more »
03/Mar/2025 10:44
Nima Safaei to launch third restaurant in London
Restaurateur Nima Safaei is preparing to open his third London diner, 27 Old Compton Street, next month.
Set to open on 24 March, the Soho restaurant will serve Italian dishes inspired by the country’s casual eateries, known as ‘tavola calda’ or ‘hot table’.
The new restaurant comes about two years after founder and executive chef Nima Safaei launched 64 Old Compton Street, the sister site to the flagship 40 Dean Street, which has been serving since 2009.
His latest outpost is inspired by the Italian tradition of gathering around high tables.
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Set to open on 24 March, the Soho restaurant will serve Italian dishes inspired by the country’s casual eateries, known as ‘tavola calda’ or ‘hot table’.
The new restaurant comes about two years after founder and executive chef Nima Safaei launched 64 Old Compton Street, the sister site to the flagship 40 Dean Street, which has been serving since 2009.
His latest outpost is inspired by the Italian tradition of gathering around high tables.
more »
03/Mar/2025 08:46
Martin Williams appointed CEO of Evolv Collection
D&D London, soon to be rebranded as the Evolv Collection in April, has named Martin Williams, former head of Rare Restaurants, as its new Chief Executive Officer.
Martin Williams, who led the Gaucho and M Restaurants group for seven years before departing Rare Restaurants in October 2024, will take on his new role at the Evolv Collection at the end of March.
Martin Williams will succeed David Loewi, co-founder and former Chief Executive, who stepped down in November after nearly 30 years with the business.
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Martin Williams, who led the Gaucho and M Restaurants group for seven years before departing Rare Restaurants in October 2024, will take on his new role at the Evolv Collection at the end of March.
Martin Williams will succeed David Loewi, co-founder and former Chief Executive, who stepped down in November after nearly 30 years with the business.
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03/Mar/2025 08:36
Sticks’n’Sushi names Simon Gaske as Chief Marketing Officer
Sticks’n’Sushi, the Danish-Japanese restaurant group with 30 locations across the UK, Denmark, and Germany, has appointed Simon Gaske as its Chief Marketing Officer.
With over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Simon Gaske brings extensive commercial expertise to Sticks’n’Sushi. He will work closely with CEO Andreas Karlsson as the group continues its expansion.
Simon Gaske will oversee brand strategy, develop and execute comprehensive marketing campaigns, drive growth, and ensure a unified approach across departments.
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With over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Simon Gaske brings extensive commercial expertise to Sticks’n’Sushi. He will work closely with CEO Andreas Karlsson as the group continues its expansion.
Simon Gaske will oversee brand strategy, develop and execute comprehensive marketing campaigns, drive growth, and ensure a unified approach across departments.
more »
28/Feb/2025 16:46