The Karachi Group acquires Côte Restaurant Group
Côte Restaurant Group has announced its sale to The Karali Group, led by Salim Janmohamed OBE and Karim Janmohamed.
The Karali Group is a dynamic, family-owned multinational business with a proven track record of success across the hospitality, consumer, and real estate sectors.
The Côte team looks forward to collaborating with The Karali Group and benefiting from their extensive knowledge, expertise, and network.
Emma Dinnis.
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The Karali Group is a dynamic, family-owned multinational business with a proven track record of success across the hospitality, consumer, and real estate sectors.
The Côte team looks forward to collaborating with The Karali Group and benefiting from their extensive knowledge, expertise, and network.
Emma Dinnis.
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06/Oct/2025 08:42
Hawksmoor sets sights on expanding across the UK and US
Hawksmoor is planning further expansion in the UK and US, with several new openings under consideration for 2026 and beyond.
The steakhouse group currently operates 10 restaurants in the UK — seven of them in London — alongside sites in New York, Chicago, and Dublin. For the year ending 31 December 2024, Hawksmoor reported turnover of £100.4m.
This represents an 11.8% increase on the £89.8m reported the previous year, driven by sustained growth in like-for-like sales, with all restaurants said to be “trading at record levels of sales and profitability.
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The steakhouse group currently operates 10 restaurants in the UK — seven of them in London — alongside sites in New York, Chicago, and Dublin. For the year ending 31 December 2024, Hawksmoor reported turnover of £100.4m.
This represents an 11.8% increase on the £89.8m reported the previous year, driven by sustained growth in like-for-like sales, with all restaurants said to be “trading at record levels of sales and profitability.
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02/Oct/2025 08:03
Rick Stein Group considers closing Marlborough restaurant
Rick Stein Restaurants is considering closing its Marlborough location following a 5.4% revenue decline in 2024.
A group spokesperson said: “We can confirm that we are proposing the closure of our Marlborough restaurant and are consulting with the team to explore whether this can be avoided.
“Our other restaurants and rooms continue to trade well, but this particular site has not delivered the same level of return.”
The Marlborough restaurant.
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A group spokesperson said: “We can confirm that we are proposing the closure of our Marlborough restaurant and are consulting with the team to explore whether this can be avoided.
“Our other restaurants and rooms continue to trade well, but this particular site has not delivered the same level of return.”
The Marlborough restaurant.
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29/Sep/2025 09:04
Prezzo Italian becomes Brava Hospitality Group
Prezzo Italian has rebranded as Brava Hospitality Group as part of its strategy to expand its hospitality portfolio.
Under the new group, Prezzo Italian will continue to operate alongside additional restaurant brands, which will be announced in due course.
James Brown, chief executive of Brava Hospitality Group, said: “As we look to the future, we knew it was time for a new group identity – one that reflects our ambition and gives us the foundation to grow. Brava is about ‘hospitality with heart’ – and building a portfolio of distinctive brands that people love.
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Under the new group, Prezzo Italian will continue to operate alongside additional restaurant brands, which will be announced in due course.
James Brown, chief executive of Brava Hospitality Group, said: “As we look to the future, we knew it was time for a new group identity – one that reflects our ambition and gives us the foundation to grow. Brava is about ‘hospitality with heart’ – and building a portfolio of distinctive brands that people love.
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25/Sep/2025 08:09
JKS Restaurants names global CEO in preparation for U.S. expansion
JKS Restaurants has named Pavan Pardasani as global chief executive officer of its Indian dining portfolio as the group gears up for international expansion.
In his new role, Pardasani will lead operations across JKS’s acclaimed London restaurants. This includes Michelin-starred Trishna and Gymkhana — while also steering forthcoming launches in New York and Las Vegas.
The son of Indian immigrants, Pardasani was raised in New York and brings extensive industry experience, having held senior positions at Hakkasan and Catch Hospitality.
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In his new role, Pardasani will lead operations across JKS’s acclaimed London restaurants. This includes Michelin-starred Trishna and Gymkhana — while also steering forthcoming launches in New York and Las Vegas.
The son of Indian immigrants, Pardasani was raised in New York and brings extensive industry experience, having held senior positions at Hakkasan and Catch Hospitality.
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23/Sep/2025 08:10
CEO of Burger & Lobster steps down
Misha Zelman has resigned from her role as chief executive of Burger & Lobster.
Zelman, who co-founded the surf-and-turf restaurant group in 2011 with Roman Zelman, Ilya Demichev, and George Bukhov-Weinstein, will continue to serve on the board as a non-executive director.
He also serves as chairman of Creative Restaurant Group, the company behind London’s Michelin-starred Humo in Mayfair and Kioku by Endo at the OWO in Whitehall.
Dino Sura.
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Zelman, who co-founded the surf-and-turf restaurant group in 2011 with Roman Zelman, Ilya Demichev, and George Bukhov-Weinstein, will continue to serve on the board as a non-executive director.
He also serves as chairman of Creative Restaurant Group, the company behind London’s Michelin-starred Humo in Mayfair and Kioku by Endo at the OWO in Whitehall.
Dino Sura.
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10/Sep/2025 09:41
Flat Iron obtains funding to drive expansion
Flat Iron has secured a senior debt facility from OakNorth Bank to fuel its upcoming expansion plans.
The steakhouse chain is set for growth following its recent acquisition by investment firms McWin and TriSpan.
Founded in 2012 by Charlie Carroll, Flat Iron has expanded to 18 restaurants across London, Manchester, Leeds, and Cambridge. Once known for offering its signature steaks at £10, the chain now prices them at £15. The business has been led by chief executive Tom Byng since 2021.
McWin is also an investor in restaurants such as Gail’s.
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The steakhouse chain is set for growth following its recent acquisition by investment firms McWin and TriSpan.
Founded in 2012 by Charlie Carroll, Flat Iron has expanded to 18 restaurants across London, Manchester, Leeds, and Cambridge. Once known for offering its signature steaks at £10, the chain now prices them at £15. The business has been led by chief executive Tom Byng since 2021.
McWin is also an investor in restaurants such as Gail’s.
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08/Sep/2025 08:41
Dave’s Hot Chicken to launch 180 new restaurants across Europe
US-based Dave’s Hot Chicken has entered into a partnership with UK’s Azzurri Group to launch 180 restaurants across 10 European countries.
Azzurri — the operator of Zizzi, ASK Italian, and Coco di Mama — has secured exclusive development rights to expand the fried chicken brand throughout Europe.
The group will collaborate with local operators in each market to roll out restaurants in countries such as France, Portugal, Spain, Germany, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Italy.
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Azzurri — the operator of Zizzi, ASK Italian, and Coco di Mama — has secured exclusive development rights to expand the fried chicken brand throughout Europe.
The group will collaborate with local operators in each market to roll out restaurants in countries such as France, Portugal, Spain, Germany, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Italy.
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02/Sep/2025 07:54
Dishoom to launch Permit Room in Liverpool
Dishoom is preparing to launch its next Permit Room spin-off restaurant in Liverpool.
According to the Liverpool Echo, the group has submitted a licensing application for a site at Exchange Court in the city centre.
Job listings for a Liverpool floor manager role, offering a salary of £39,500 to £42,000, and a general manager position with “competitive” pay, have also been posted on Dishoom’s online careers portal.
The group website said: “We’re thrilled to be opening our brand-new Permit Room in Liverpool.
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According to the Liverpool Echo, the group has submitted a licensing application for a site at Exchange Court in the city centre.
Job listings for a Liverpool floor manager role, offering a salary of £39,500 to £42,000, and a general manager position with “competitive” pay, have also been posted on Dishoom’s online careers portal.
The group website said: “We’re thrilled to be opening our brand-new Permit Room in Liverpool.
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01/Sep/2025 08:38
TriSpan and McWin acquire Flat Iron restaurants
McWin and TriSpan have teamed up to take a co-controlling majority stake in Flat Iron restaurants.
The transaction will see Piper, which invested £10m in Flat Iron in 2017, leave the company.
McWin and TriSpan plan to expand Flat Iron across the UK and take the brand international for the first time.
Flat Iron, launched by Charlie Carroll in 2012, now operates 18 locations in London, Manchester.
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The transaction will see Piper, which invested £10m in Flat Iron in 2017, leave the company.
McWin and TriSpan plan to expand Flat Iron across the UK and take the brand international for the first time.
Flat Iron, launched by Charlie Carroll in 2012, now operates 18 locations in London, Manchester.
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29/Aug/2025 12:18
German chain L’Osteria acquires Pizza Pilgrims
German pizza and pasta brand L’Osteria has purchased a majority stake in the Pizza Pilgrims restaurant group, aiming to grow the business internationally.
Founded in 2012, Pizza Pilgrims has since expanded to 26 locations across the UK.
L’Osteria, founded in Nuremberg, Germany in 1999, is best known for its signature 45cm pizzas. The brand has grown to more than 200 restaurants across 10 European countries and is backed by the investment fund McWin, which also supports Gail’s, Big Mamma Group.
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Founded in 2012, Pizza Pilgrims has since expanded to 26 locations across the UK.
L’Osteria, founded in Nuremberg, Germany in 1999, is best known for its signature 45cm pizzas. The brand has grown to more than 200 restaurants across 10 European countries and is backed by the investment fund McWin, which also supports Gail’s, Big Mamma Group.
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19/Aug/2025 08:08
Loungers celebrates opening of 300th location
Bristol-based café-bar group Loungers has reached a milestone with the launch of its 300th site.
The operator of the Lounge, Cosy Club, and Brightside brands described the opening of Antico Lounge in Alton, east Hampshire, as a “remarkable” milestone.
Loungers was established in Bristol in 2002 by friends Alex Reilley, Jake Bishop, and Dave Reid, starting with a single Lounge on North Street.
The company grew rapidly across the UK.
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The operator of the Lounge, Cosy Club, and Brightside brands described the opening of Antico Lounge in Alton, east Hampshire, as a “remarkable” milestone.
Loungers was established in Bristol in 2002 by friends Alex Reilley, Jake Bishop, and Dave Reid, starting with a single Lounge on North Street.
The company grew rapidly across the UK.
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15/Aug/2025 11:00
Pasta Evangelists announces plans to launch 100 UK restaurants, creating up to 1,500 jobs
Pasta Evangelists has unveiled plans to open 100 restaurants across the UK over the next five years.
Working alongside its franchise partners, the company will invest more than £30 million into the expansion, with a focus on securing locations and partners in the South of England, the Midlands, and Scotland.
The initiative is expected to generate up to 1,500 new jobs. In addition, the business is exploring the launch of a ‘Pasta Apprenticeship’ programme, designed to attract fresh talent and support its existing team in developing the skills and expertise needed for a successful career in the culinary and hospitality sectors.
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Working alongside its franchise partners, the company will invest more than £30 million into the expansion, with a focus on securing locations and partners in the South of England, the Midlands, and Scotland.
The initiative is expected to generate up to 1,500 new jobs. In addition, the business is exploring the launch of a ‘Pasta Apprenticeship’ programme, designed to attract fresh talent and support its existing team in developing the skills and expertise needed for a successful career in the culinary and hospitality sectors.
more »
12/Aug/2025 08:28
Dishoom announces significant investment and plans first U.S. restaurant
Indian restaurant group Dishoom has received investment from L Catterton, a US private equity firm backed by luxury goods giant LVMH.
The deal, for an undisclosed stake, comes as Dishoom prepares to launch its first US restaurant in 2026.
The valuation of Dishoom has not been officially revealed, though The Sunday Times suggests it is estimated at around £300 million.
This marks the first occasion that founders Shamil Thakrar and Kavi Thakrar have welcomed external investment into the business since opening their first restaurant in Covent Garden in 2010.
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The deal, for an undisclosed stake, comes as Dishoom prepares to launch its first US restaurant in 2026.
The valuation of Dishoom has not been officially revealed, though The Sunday Times suggests it is estimated at around £300 million.
This marks the first occasion that founders Shamil Thakrar and Kavi Thakrar have welcomed external investment into the business since opening their first restaurant in Covent Garden in 2010.
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11/Aug/2025 08:55
Prezzo Italian set to open Its first New venue in five years
After a successful rebrand earlier this year, Prezzo Italian is preparing to launch its first new restaurant in five years.
The casual dining chain is set to open new outlets on Edinburgh’s George Street in August and in Rugby in September as part of its ongoing investment plans.
The Edinburgh location, formerly a Gusto Italian, closed last month following the company’s administration. All staff who were made redundant have been offered roles at Prezzo Italian with equal or improved terms.
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The casual dining chain is set to open new outlets on Edinburgh’s George Street in August and in Rugby in September as part of its ongoing investment plans.
The Edinburgh location, formerly a Gusto Italian, closed last month following the company’s administration. All staff who were made redundant have been offered roles at Prezzo Italian with equal or improved terms.
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08/Aug/2025 09:47
New CEO appointed at Pizza Hut UK
The parent company of Pizza Hut UK has appointed Gino Casciani, previously Taco Bell’s MD, as its new CEO for Europe.
He is set to begin on 9 September, leading expansion efforts for more than 240 Pizza Hut restaurants operated by Directional Pizza in the UK, Sweden, and Denmark.
Casciani has held senior positions at Pret A Manger, KFC, Taco Bell, and Odeon Cinemas Group, and most recently served as global COO of Sushi Daily, overseeing more than 1,500 sushi concessions across Europe, Mexico.
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He is set to begin on 9 September, leading expansion efforts for more than 240 Pizza Hut restaurants operated by Directional Pizza in the UK, Sweden, and Denmark.
Casciani has held senior positions at Pret A Manger, KFC, Taco Bell, and Odeon Cinemas Group, and most recently served as global COO of Sushi Daily, overseeing more than 1,500 sushi concessions across Europe, Mexico.
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08/Aug/2025 09:14
JKS Restaurants announces plans for US expansion
JKS Restaurants has revealed plans to launch two of its Indian restaurant brands in the US later this year.
The group will open Ambassadors Clubhouse in New York this autumn, followed by a Las Vegas outpost of Gymkhana later in the winter.
Ambassadors Clubhouse will launch at 1245 Broadway in New York, serving Punjabi cuisine inspired by royal kitchens, street food, and roadside eateries.
Named after the Sethi brothers’ grandfather.
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The group will open Ambassadors Clubhouse in New York this autumn, followed by a Las Vegas outpost of Gymkhana later in the winter.
Ambassadors Clubhouse will launch at 1245 Broadway in New York, serving Punjabi cuisine inspired by royal kitchens, street food, and roadside eateries.
Named after the Sethi brothers’ grandfather.
more »
07/Aug/2025 16:25
Borough Market names Alistair Maddox as new Chief Executive Officer
Alistair Maddox has been appointed chief executive of London’s Borough Market.
He brings over 20 years of experience in the food, property, and market sectors, including a decade as general manager and managing director of London’s Broadway Market.
He also founded two businesses in the same borough: the neighbourhood cocktail bar Every Cloud and the Michelin Guide-listed restaurant and wine bar Silver Lining.
Maddox later served as director of Brixton Village’s market arcades in south London.
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He brings over 20 years of experience in the food, property, and market sectors, including a decade as general manager and managing director of London’s Broadway Market.
He also founded two businesses in the same borough: the neighbourhood cocktail bar Every Cloud and the Michelin Guide-listed restaurant and wine bar Silver Lining.
Maddox later served as director of Brixton Village’s market arcades in south London.
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07/Aug/2025 14:49
New leadership roles announced at Gaucho
Gaucho has announced a series of leadership changes aimed at strengthening the business and enhancing performance, as newly appointed CEO Baton Berisha rolls out the next phase of his growth strategy.
Pedro Nunes has joined the steakhouse group as Operations Director for London, bringing more than a decade of experience from The Ivy Collection.
During his time at The Ivy Collection, Nunes oversaw multiple high-profile openings and led international franchise development.
In his new role.
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Pedro Nunes has joined the steakhouse group as Operations Director for London, bringing more than a decade of experience from The Ivy Collection.
During his time at The Ivy Collection, Nunes oversaw multiple high-profile openings and led international franchise development.
In his new role.
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01/Aug/2025 15:48
Arcade Food Hall plans third London location
Arcade Food Hall is expected to launch its third London location in Covent Garden.
The group has submitted a planning application to refurbish the exterior of 6 Bedford Street, the former site of TGI Fridays.
Originally a 19th-century department store, the site housed the American-themed chain until its closure in April 2022.
Documents reveal that Arcade Food Hall has applied to Westminster City Council for permission to install new entrance doors.
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The group has submitted a planning application to refurbish the exterior of 6 Bedford Street, the former site of TGI Fridays.
Originally a 19th-century department store, the site housed the American-themed chain until its closure in April 2022.
Documents reveal that Arcade Food Hall has applied to Westminster City Council for permission to install new entrance doors.
more »
30/Jul/2025 09:26