OpenTable launches AI concierge, but do we really need a bot to book dinner? September 23, 2025 OpenTable has launched Concierge, its new generative AI assistant, or ‘agent,’ designed to give diners instant insights across more than 60,000 restaurants worldwide. From menu details and dietary options to opening hours, the assistant aims to streamline the often frustrating process of restaurant research. But in an era of sweeping automation, is AI really the solution [...]
Raising Cane’s: Billionaire’s KFC rival and TikTok sensation to open in the UK September 4, 2025 Raising Cane’s, the US fast food giant which has become a sensation on TikTok, has confirmed plans to open its first UK location next year. The business is to launch its flagship site at 21-22 Coventry St in London’s West End towards the end of 2026. An exact opening date has yet to be announced. [...]
Zoe Hamburger leaves McDonald’s UK&I as successor named September 2, 2025 After 18 months of maybe the UK’s best case of nominative determinism, Zoe Hamburger has stepped down from her senior role at the UK arm of McDonald’s. Hamburger joined the McDonald’s UK senior leadership team as chief restaurant officer in March 2024. In that role she was responsible for the operational restaurant business, including delivery, [...]
Campanelle restaurant review: Beware! Dangerously good carbonara August 13, 2025 There are some truly perverse architectural sights in the City of London. Walk down Bishopsgate and teeny-tiny St Ethelburga’s church looks ridiculously quaint in front of the towering Gherkin – it’s one example of how in the Square Mile, history and modernity clash thrillingly. If this sort of architectural nerdery is for you, go to [...]
KFC and Pizza Hut help serve up huge profit for owner August 12, 2025 Huge dividends from KFC and Pizza Hut helped their owner Yum! Brands more than triple its profit last year, it has been revealed. The group’s European division has posted a pre-tax profit of $1.2bn (£892.7m) for 2024, up significantly from the $317.1m (£235.8m) it posted for 2023. The firm, Yum! Restaurant Holdings, is a holding [...]
Dishoom served huge valuation after founders sell stake August 4, 2025 Dishoom has been valued in the region of £300m after striking an investment deal with a firm backed by LVMH. The restaurant chain has agreed a deal for an undisclosed sum with US-based L Catterton in a move which will see founders Shamil Thakrar and Kavi Thakrar dilute their stakes. Both co-founders are expected to [...]
McDonald’s sheds 2,000 UK jobs as profit almost doubles August 4, 2025 Profit at the UK arm of McDonald’s almost doubled in 2024 as it shed more than 2,000 jobs, it has been revealed. The US fast food giant has posted a pre-tax profit of £120m for its latest financial year, up from the £66.3m it reported in 2023. That figure though was down from the £170.8m [...]
Gusto: Restaurants to close and almost 200 jobs lost as rescue agreed July 29, 2025 Almost 200 jobs have been lost at Italian restaurant chain Gusto after a deal to buy it out of administration was agreed. Cherry Equity Partners is to acquire the majority of Gusto in a move which will lead to around 190 redundancies and the closure of six restaurants. The deal, which is being undertaken through [...]
Wasabi: Sushi restaurant chain sheds jobs as profit slashed July 28, 2025 Profit at popular London sushi restaurant chain Wasabi has been slashed as it shed more than 100 jobs during its latest financial year, it has been revealed. The business has reported a pre-tax profit of £2.2m for 2024, according to new accounts filed with Companies House. The latest total comes after Wasabi posted a pre-tax [...]
The Ivy: Jobs continue to be cut as Richard Caring nears £1bn sale June 26, 2025 Jobs have continued to be lost at the group behind restaurant chain The Ivy as billionaire owner Richard Caring edges closer to a £1bn sale. Troia (UK) Restaurants cut more than 100 roles during its latest financial year as its pre-tax profit also declined despite a rise in revenue, new accounts filed with Companies House [...]