Frankie and Benny's restaurants in Sheffield at risk as chain announces plans to close 90 branches

Frankie and Benny’s and Chiquito restaurants across Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire have been put at risk after the chain announced plans to close 90 branches.
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The Restaurant Group, which owns the Frankie & Benny's and Chiquito brands, said it plans to close dozens of restaurant sites by the end of next year.

The dining firm said the closures will impact sites across its leisure portfolio. It shut 18 restaurants in 2019.

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The closure plan comes amid a tough period for casual dining chains, with rivals such as Jamie's Italian collapsing over the past year.

Frankie and Benny's restaurants are at risk.Frankie and Benny's restaurants are at risk.
Frankie and Benny's restaurants are at risk.

Andy Hornby, chief executive officer of The Restaurant Group, said: "Our three growth businesses of Wagamama, concessions and pubs are all out-performing their respective markets and have clear potential for further growth.

"I am also acutely aware of the challenges facing our leisure business and the wider casual dining sector.

"Following extensive review we have defined three clear strategic priorities for the next two years: Grow our Wagamama, concessions and pubs businesses; rationalise our leisure business; and accelerate our deleveraging profile."

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The firm has a number of Frankie and Benny’s branches across the region – one at Meadowhall, one at Doncaster’s Lakeside leisure park, an outlet at Rotherham Parkgate and two branches in Barnsley.

Last year, the firm identified 76 Frankie & Benny's restaurants in what it now considers to be ‘unfavourable locations’ and also highlighted 42 more sites, which are mainly Chiquitos.

The company has 650 sites in total across the UK.