All Frankie & Benny's articles
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NewsBig Table uses CRM to finetune portfolio
The Bella Italia and Frankie & Benny’s operator has consolidated its CRM platform to capitalise on cross-brand synergies and optimize its estate, MCA’s Hostech conference heard
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Analysis & InsightA fresh start for Frankie & Benny’s
MCA visits the Italian American concept’s newly revamped outpost at The Strand to explore whether the new direction and brunch can re-energise the legacy brand
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InterviewsFrankie & Benny’s sales ‘much higher’ than wider market
Big Table Group is trialling a refreshed proposition at three sites and conversions to Bella Italia at a further two after discovering the Italian American brand is still making “massive average weekly sales”, CEO Alan Morgan tells MCA
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Analysis & InsightBig Table takes on ‘substantial risk’ with TRG Leisure estate
Following the payment of a £7.5m ‘dowry’ to take on The Restaurant Group’s Leisure business, MCA explores the challenges facing The Big Table Group as it’s tasked with turning around the loss-making estate
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InterviewsBig Table to drive ‘strong improvements and synergies’ with Leisure acquisition
The group will find savings in the supply chain, overheads, and culture in its newly acquired business, CEO Alan Morgan tells MCA
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NewsTRG announces sale of Leisure business to Big Table Group
The Big Table Group will take over the division, principally consisting of the Frankie & Benny’s and Chiquito brands, in a deal expected to complete in October - with TRG paying a cash contribution of £7.5m as part of the transaction
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Weekend PressCafe Rouge owner needs bigger table for swoop on Chiquito’s and Frankie & Benny’s
The Big Table Group is in advanced talks to buy the leisure division of The Restaurant Group, the London-listed casual dining operator, Sky News reports
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NewsActivist investor weighs bid for TRG divisions
Activist investor TMR Capital is reported to be weighing a bid for The Restaurant Group’s Brunning & Price and Leisure divisions
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Analysis & Insight
Pressures to grow shareholder returns remains for TRG
The pressure to make large disposals also remains, with shareholder Irenic saying improved trading ’highlights the gap between the company’s intrinsic value and its significantly lower share price’
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NewsTRG reports strong trading in year to date
The Restaurant Group has said it is reviewing its strategic options while accelerating the expansion of Wagamama, and reported progress on the rationalisation plan for its leisure estate
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NewsFinnCap: Activist pressure on TRG likely to continue
Activist pressure will likely remain despite all resolutions passed with the requisite majorities at the AGM, albeit finnCap sees “considerable upside” for the group
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NewsActivist Coltrane seeks change at TRG
A New York-based investor has called for change at The Restaurant Group after taking a 3% stake, The Sunday Times reports
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NewsOasis: TRG management ‘not aligned with shareholders’
The activist hedge fund has urged fellow shareholders to reject “pay without performance” at The Restaurant Group
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NewsTRG’s CEO Andy Hornby’s £1m gravy train
Hornby has been blasted for taking a bonus after the owner of Wagamama and Frankie & Benny received £43m in furlough cash, This Is Money reports
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Analysis & InsightBrandwatch: Frankie & Benny’s
The story of Italian American restaurant brand has gone through quite a few twists and turns in recent years, but owner The Restaurant Group has been working to pull it firmly into the 21st century.
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NewsFrankie & Benny’s rebrands
The Italian American restaurant brand from The Restaurant Group has rebranded its Basildon branch to Frankie’s, the first of three major refurbishments this year
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InterviewsAndy Hornby: ‘Make sure your supply forecasting is nailed on’
In the second part of an interview with MCA, Andy Hornby, chief executive of The Restaurant Group, discusses the importance of accurate supply forecasting and simplifying menus as a way of controlling menu price inflation. He also discusses pub estate expansion, as well as current and future prospects for trading.
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Analysis & InsightCost increases could cloud TRG’s future performance
There was a generally positive reaction from analysts to The Restaurant Group’s recent first half trading update, which included the 15-week period following the reopening of indoor dining, although longer-term questions remain.
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NewsAndy Hornby: “There is a long-term structural shift around delivery”
Following The Restaurant Group’s first-half results announcement MCA caught up with Andy Hornby, chief executive, to discuss recent trading.
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NewsFrankie & Benny’s to close a “large number” of sites
The BBC has reported that a “large number” of Frankie & Benny’s restaurants are to close. It said an email to staff sent by the Restaurant Group says many sites are “no longer viable to trade and will remain closed permanently. The Covid-19 crisis has significantly impacted our ability to trade profitably, so we’ve taken the tough decision to close these restaurants now,” the email said.