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Tag: Restaurant

  • Jamie Oliver’s UK restaurant chain collapses

    Jamie Oliver’s UK restaurant chain collapses

    International outlets, such as those in Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand, will continue to trade.

    Jamie Oliver’s UK restaurant chain has collapsed – but the international outlets remain trading for now.

    “I am deeply saddened by this outcome and would like to thank all of the staff and our suppliers who have put their hearts and souls into this business for over a decade,” said Oliver, who rose to fame as a television celebrity chef before founding a network of high-street restaurants in 2008.

    “I appreciate how difficult this is for everyone affected.”

    Jamie Oliver’s UK restaurant chain employed about 1300 people in 25 outlets bearing the brands Jamie’s Italian, Barbecoa steakhouse and Jamie Oliver’s Diner. They are now in administration.

    UK news media reported the process did not affect the business’ international operations which are largely run by local franchise partners. They include restaurants in Causeway Bay and Harbour City, in Hong Kong, at VivoCity and on Orchard Road in Singapore; and at Bangkok’s Siam Discovery.

    High-street restaurant chains have been hampered by a rough trading environment in recent years, in both the UK and the US. In the UK, rival operator Boparan Restaurant Group revealed plans in March to shutter more than a third of its outlets, trading under the Giraffe and Ed’s Easy Diner brands. Other operators, including Prezzo, Strada, Gourmet Burger Kitchen and Carluccio’s all closed stores last year.

    In the US, casual dining chains like Applebee’s, TGI Friday’s and Ruby Tuesday have scaled back their networks.

    The collapse of Jamie Oliver’s UK restaurant chain this week follows a rescue attempt last year in which the company entered a company voluntary arrangement with landlords to close some stores and reduce rents on others in a bid to continue trading.

    But the company has now succumbed to intense competition, rising costs and a tough consumer market.

  • Restaurant Brands International eyes massive China expansion

    Restaurant Brands International eyes massive China expansion

    Restaurant Brands International, parent of the Burger King, Tim Hortons and Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen brands, is eyeing significant expansion in China despite current trade tensions.

    The firm is aiming to surpass 40,000 locations in the territory within 10 years, making the firm one of the world’s largest restaurant chains.

    “Our view is that we want to be there, and we will be there for the long term,” said company CEO Jose Cil. “It’s an amazing consumption market, growing tremendously.”

    The firm is making its intentions known in an atmosphere of a deteriorating trade relationship between China and the US. Before tensions heightened last week, China was already on track to experience its worst GDP growth in 29 years.

    Restaurant Brands is aiming to launch 1500 Tim Hortons locations within China within the next decade as the brand’s growth is slowing in its home Canadian market. There are currently just four Tim Hortons in the territory, compared to more than 1000 Burger King restaurants.

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  • McDonald’s Philippines Planning 50 Restaurant Openings

    McDonald’s Philippines Planning 50 Restaurant Openings

    McDonald’s Philippines is expanding, with new stores and branch upgrades unfolding this year along with menu additions.

    There are currently around 650 McDonald’s restaurants in the territory, 61 of which opened last year.

    “We’re continuing our aggressive expansion,” said McDonald’s MD Margot Torres. “In terms of new stores, we’re looking at about 50.”

    The firm’s outlets will be upgraded to the McDonald’s Nxtgen system, featuring a touch-screen service allowing customers to place orders without interacting with a cashier. The Nxtgen kiosks also allow customers to customize their orders and access additional offerings.

    An estimated 70 per cent of stores are expected to receive the upgrade by 2021

  • McDonald’s ends food fight in India

    McDonald’s ends food fight in India

    International fast food chain McDonald’s has bought out its former partner Vikram Bakshi’s 50 percent stake in its Indian operations, ending a six-year dispute.

    The disagreement arose when McDonald’s India attempted to oust Bakshi as MD of local operator CPRL in 2013, a decision that was overturned after local arbitration hearings ruled in favor of his reinstatement.

    “With the transfer of ownership and management today, Mr. and Mrs. Bakshi end their association with CPRL and McDonald’s,” the company said in a statement. “McDonald’s acknowledges the significant work and contribution of Mr. Bakshi in establishing McDonald’s restaurants in North and East India.”

    Bakshi was responsible for opening the first McDonald’s in the territory in the mid-90s, growing the franchise to more than 160 outlets in northern and eastern India.

    McDonald’s now wholly owns CPRL, which will be headed by Robert Hunghanfoo going forward. The financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.

    The firm is now seeking a new development licensee for the region.

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  • American burger chain Five Guys to open Restaurants in Singapore

    American burger chain Five Guys to open Restaurants in Singapore

    American burger chain Five Guys is to open in Singapore later this year.

    According to an unidentified F&B industry source, the chain also plans to open in Malaysia.

    The Singapore branch will be Five Guys’ second outlet in Asia, following the one which opened in Hong Kong last November.

    Founded in 1986, Five Guys runs more than 1500 outlets in America, Europe, and the Middle East. It also plans to expand into the UK.

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  • McDonald’s looks to create pipeline of property talent

    McDonald’s looks to create pipeline of property talent

    With $500 million to be spent on new restaurants and refurbishments over the next three years, McDonald’s Australia has established a new property graduate program to create a pipeline of future property leaders within the organisation.

    The fast food chain recently announced the names of the program’s first successful applicants, and it is currently accepting applications for the 2020 intake. Applications close on Sunday, May 12.

    The two-year program provides training in relevant fields, including real estate, construction, design and asset management, and hands-on guidance from experienced mentors in McDonald’s national development team, which maintains a portfolio of over 980 restaurants across Australia.

    Tom Veale, development director of the southern region at McDonald’s Australia, told Inside Retail the program is an important part of the fast food chain’s commitment to new restaurant growth.

    “McDonald’s is committed to new restaurant growth and we wanted to create an opportunity for young talent to come in and grow with our business, developing future property leaders,” he said.

    At a time when many retail and hospitality businesses are looking to “right-size” their store footprints, talented property leaders may very well be a competitive advantage.

    “McDonald’s prides itself on developing and promoting talent and we have so many great people in the system to learn from to give graduates a great kick start to their career,” Veale said.

    “Training graduates allows us to set up a strong pipeline for future success, creating the business leaders of tomorrow.”

    Besides its new property graduate program, McDonald’s Australia also offers a Diploma qualification through its management development program and Certificate II and III in Retail Services.

    “Macca’s is a starting point into the work force for so many young people and, in many instances, turns into a long-term career,” Lisa Althorpe, director of people and culture at McDonald’s Australia, said.

    “Our aim is to set youngsters up with skills for life and a great foundation that gives them the opportunity to build a great career, whether that’s with McDonald’s or externally.”

    Participants in the property graduate program will have the opportunity to continue in a permanent role within McDonald’s Australia upon completion.

    McDonald’s Australia was recently highlighted as a standout performer in the company’s announcement of its Q1 earnings. McDonald’s CEO Steve Easterbrook reported a 5.4 per cent increase in the company’s global comparable sales, and US$4.96 billion (A$7.09 billion) in revenue.

    This reflected the global company’s 15th consecutive quarter of comparable sales growth, but it was 20th consecutive quarter of comparable sales growth for McDonald’s Australia, Easterbrook pointed out.

    He attributed the business’s success to its pioneering initiatives, such as McCafe, which was born in Melbourne in 1993 and is now available in countries all around the world, and delivery via Uber Eats.

    A spokesperson for McDonald’s Australia told Inside Retail the focus has always been on running great restaurants and providing customers with the best possible dining experience.

    “We do this by getting the basics right and innovating in ways our customers want, including through delivery and digital,” the spokesperson said.

    “We’re a customer-driven business; everything – from the food we serve, to the design and facilities in our restaurants – is in response to their needs and is focused on providing the best possible dining experience.

    “We will continue to expand our delivery and digital offerings, as well as grow by investing approximately $500 million in new restaurants and refurbishments over the next three years.”

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  • Burger King slammed for ‘racist’ ad promoting Vietnamese burger

    Burger King slammed for ‘racist’ ad promoting Vietnamese burger

    The clip shows several people tying and failing to eat a burger with large, red chopsticks. A caption accompanying the video read “Take your taste buds all the way to Ho Chi Minh City with our Vietnamese Sweet Chilli Tendercrisp.”

    The video, shared by Maria Mo via the account @mariahmocarey, has received more than 2.7 million views. Mo told that she shared the clip as she was tired of large corporations portraying Asians in an offensive manner.

    “I could not believe that such a concept was approved for such a big, well-known company. It says a lot about what kind of demographics they must employ across the board for their ads.”

    Other social media users were quick to slam the fast foot retailer for making fun of a utensil that has been used across Asia for thousands of years.

    Viet Thanh Nguyen, the Pulitzer Prize-winning Vietnamese-American novelist, shared the clip with the comment “What’s worse, this ad or using chopsticks in your hair?”

    The advertisement was later removed from all of Burger King NZ’s social media platforms.

    Respond to the controversy, Burger King released a statement, saying: “The ad in question is insensitive and does not reflect our brand values regarding diversity and inclusion. We have asked our franchisee in New Zealand to remove the ad immediately.”

    Burger King New Zealand’s Chief Marketing Officer James Woodbridge expressed regret.

    “We are truly sorry that the ad has appeared insensitive to our community. We have removed and it certainly does not reflect our brand values around diversity and inclusion.”

    Burger King entered the Vietnamese market in 2011 but has struggled to win over local consumers. The firm hoped to have 60 outlets in the country by 2016, but as of 2018 had only 11.

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  • Kyoto Ichinoden chooses Hong Kong

    Kyoto Ichinoden chooses Hong Kong

    Japanese restaurant chain Kyoto Ichinoden has opened its first overseas restaurant in Hong Kong.

    The launch celebrates the brand’s 100th anniversary while also tapping into the city’s unique role in the region and its close ties with the Mainland market for future expansion.

    Kyoto Ichinoden’s debut local restaurant has opened at Ocean Terminal, Harbour City, in Tsim Sha Tsui. It serves traditional Japanese cuisine including Kyoto kaiseki (multi-course dinner) and traditional Kyoto dish saikyozuke (seasonal meat or fish fillet pickled in Saikyo miso).

    “Hong Kong is a vibrant city situated in the heart of the region,” said Kyoto Ichinoden HK president Jumpei Tanaka.

    “Strategically, Hong Kong is our first choice for expansion because of its geographical and economic advantages. Moreover, there is a strong passion for Japanese food, so this gives Japanese restaurants a very good head start to set up a presence here. The city is also very strong in terms of logistics and transportation, ensuring efficient supplies of fresh ingredients – essential for the operation of high-grade Japanese restaurants like ours.

    “We expect that soon we may reach out to the Mainland market and other places in East Asia from Hong Kong, given that the city is close to the Mainland market and a major business hub in Asia.

    “As the Greater Bay Area (Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area) has become an important development and that Hong Kong plays a key role within it, having a first overseas base in Hong Kong will also help our brand build solid customer confidence and spread quickly to the Greater Bay Area in the near future.”

    InvestHK helped Kyoto Inchinoden launch in Hong Kong.

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  • Pizza Hut Malaysia Plans More Store Openings

    Pizza Hut Malaysia Plans More Store Openings

    The 400th Pizza Hut Malaysia store has opened at Central I-City Shah Alam.

    To celebrate the landmark moment in the franchise’s history, Pizza Hut is giving 4000 pizzas to diners, as well as an additional 400 pizzas to 10 local charities. It was also selling its personal-sized pizzas for just RM4 (around US$1) at the end of last month.

    A statement by COO Loi Liang Tok revealed that the brand intends to open its 408th store by the end of the year, with new locations in Sabah, Sarawak, Perak and Penang. The brand is also rolling out an upgraded serving system in its fast casual delco stores, equipped with faster food preparation equipment and some self-service features.

    “The expansion of offerings through our new store format and the enhancements of our existing stores enable us to up our ante in staying relevant and help us to serve our community better,”

    QSR Brands MD Dato’ Seri Mohamed Azahari Mohamed Kamilw, “while offering vibrant dining experiences and staying delightful.”

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  • Gucci restaurant pop up heads into Singapore

    Gucci restaurant pop up heads into Singapore

    Osteria, the Gucci restaurant pop up, will open in Singapore next month.

    Set to open at The Arts House, the four-week popup will have a Renaissance theme, replete with the signature red Gucci Herbarium-motif wallpaper.

    The restaurant will open for lunch and dinner on select days from May 1 to 26

    The menu will be conceptualised by chef Massimo Bottura, with Gucci Osteria head chef Karime Lopez.

    Main highlights include Bottura’s signatures dishes, including The Crunchy Part of the Lasagne, Lopez’s creation of sweet-sour pork belly bun, named Taka Bun.

    “We are excited to be able to bring Gucci Osteria to Singapore – a city with a vibrant culinary landscape,” says chef Karime Lopez.

    “At our first international edition, we want to showcase the best of global cuisine, as a country’s cuisine is no longer confined to its birthplace – it can always be reinterpreted and refined. The cuisine we are presenting is not just traditional Italian, but rather a cultural expression that resonates with the global diner of today.”

    Ticket sales open on the 20th of this month. Diners can choose a specially curated four-course lunch (from $128), a seven-course lunch ($228), or seven-course dinner (from $278).

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  • Shakey’s to buy Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken chain

    Shakey’s to buy Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken chain

    Philippines restaurant chain operator Shakey’s Pizza Asia is buying the Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken brand.

    The firm filed details of the deal with Peri-Peri’s operator I-Foods at the Philippine Stock Exchange this week, although the transaction cost has not been released. A representative for the business said the price was not substantial relative to the firm’s market capitalisation, and that the acquisition will be financed by a combination of internally generated cash and debt, most likely to be completed by mid-year.

    The deal is expected to affect Shakey’s bottom line this year, but boost profits in the long run.

    Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken operates 23 outlets in metropolitan Manila, 40 per cent of which are run under franchise agreements.

    “The brand now has a strong following and recently gained even more traction,” said Shakey’s president and CEO Vicente Gregorio, “evident in its strong same-store sales growth last year amidst the more challenging macroeconomic environment, and the amount of interest in new stores from potential lessors and franchisees.”

    “We are excited by the potential of Peri to scale,” added  Shakey’s chairman Christopher Po. “We expect it to be an important future growth driver for our fast casual chain restaurant business.”

    The firm also has plans to expand its core offering – US brand Shakey’s Pizza, for which the firm has perpetual rights in several broad territories, including most of Asia. It plans to open 20 new branches this year, which will see it operating 248 locations by next year.

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  • Mexican investor Bought three quarters of Restaurant Brands

    Mexican investor Bought three quarters of Restaurant Brands

    Restaurant Brands has announced Mexican investor Finaccess Capital SA de CV now has a controlling stake in the company after acquiring three quarters of the company’s shares.

    The deal closed on March 26 following Finaccess’ offer through its subsidiary, Global Valar SL, for up to 75 per cent of Restaurant Brands New Zealand shares at NZ$9.45 cash per share.

    Finaccess informed Restaurant Brands, the New Zealand franchise operator of Pizza Hut, KFC and Carl’s Jr, on Tuesday that it has paid shareholders for shares taken up under the partial takeover.

    The Mexico-based company, which also has a stake in AmRest, which operates KFC and Pizza Hut among other brands across Europe and China, said in its offer letter last year that it chose not to make a full takeover bid because there were benefits to Restaurant Brands remaining on the NZX and ASX.

    “By remaining a public company, Restaurant Brands will have access to capital to fund future growth while also providing existing shareholders an opportunity to continue participating in the business over the long term,” Finaccess said at the time.

    Restaurant Brands today also announced the appointment of Jose Pares Gutierrez and Emilio Fullaondo Botella as directors, and resignation of Stephen Copulos, Vicky Taylor and David Beguely as directors.

    As required by the NZX Listing Rules, Gutierrez and Botella will each stand for re-election at Restaurant Brands’ next annual meeting of shareholders.

    Ted van Arkel and Hamish Stevens will each remain on the board as independent directors, and Van Arkel will continue as chairman, until Restaurant Brands’ next annual meeting of shareholders on July 10. Both have announced their intention to retire as directors at the conclusion of that meeting.

    Gutierrez, the CEO of Global Valar SL and its parent, Finaccess Capital, is also the chairman of the board and a proprietary director of AmRest Holdings SE, the director of the board of Crown Imports, Chicago, Il, vice chairman of the board of MMI, Toronto, Canada, director of the Board of DIFA, Mexico, and former member of the Beer Chamber of Mexico.

    Botella, a senior executive with over 23 years of experience in the beer industry, has previously worked in a number of finance roles for Grupo Modelo, including four years as chief financial officer.

    Following the acquisition of Grupo Modelo by AB InBev in 2013, Gutierrez oversaw significant cultural and organisational changes at AB InBev (Mexico) as vice president, human resources (to 2017) and vice president, Projects until his resignation in January 2019.

  • Jollibee Singapore to open Restaurants in Woodlands and Punggol

    Jollibee Singapore to open Restaurants in Woodlands and Punggol

    Jollibee Singapore is to open new stores at Woodlands MRT station and Waterway Point in Punggol.

    The Philippine fast-food giant is recruiting full-time and part-time staff for the stores via its Facebook page. Listed jobs include service, kitchen crew as well as managerial roles.

    Having opened its first store at Lucky Plaza in 2013, Jollibee Singapore now has six outlets: two at Lucky Plaza, and one each in Paya Lebar, Changi, Novena and Jurong East.

    In a 2017 interview, Dennis Flores, Jollibee’s president and head of international business, said the company plans to open 15 stores in the island in the next five years.

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  • Fat Brands China to open six stores More

    Fat Brands China to open six stores More

    Fat Brands China has announced the development of six new co-branded Fatburger and Buffalo’s Express restaurants throughout Shanghai with Bloomfield.

    The new locations will build on Fat’s existing presence in China, where the company currently operates multiple successful locations in both Beijing and Shanghai.

    “When expanding internationally, it’s important to identify a partner we can trust with our iconic brand,” said CEO of Fat Brands Andy Wiederhorn. “Markets such as Shanghai, where demand and crowds are large, magnifies this need even more. We’re thrilled to open more restaurants with the Bloomfield team. They’ve done an excellent job maintaining the integrity of our brand while providing a deep understanding of the Chinese consumer.”

    Fat Brands currently owns seven restaurant brands that have more than 300 locations open and 200 under development around the world.

  • Chili’s Singapore closing Down

    Chili’s Singapore closing Down

    American grill & bar Chili’s Singapore has quietly closed all three remaining outlets in the city.

    ““As of 24th March, we have closed all of our restaurants in Singapore. It’s been a wonderful 10 years serving our loyal community. Thank you for all the great moments and memories we shared,” the company posted on Facebook.

    A fan responded: “We are thankful for the past 10 years that they have been with us and for all the burgers, steak and fajitas they’ve served us.”

    Chili’s opened its first branch in Singapore in Tanglin Mall in June 2009. The other three outlets were at Resorts World Sentosa, Clarke Quay Central and JCube.

    The restaurants served Southwest American cuisine with Mexican flavours, craft burgers and baby back ribs, alongside fajitas and enchiladas.

    Established in Dallas in 1975, Chili’s had expanded to 32 countries worldwide.

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