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UK Restaurant Chain to Shut All 89 Sites in Weeks with More than 3,800 Jobs at Risk
Whitbread said the move is part of a five-year overhaul that will affect about 3,800 jobs and replace the chain's branded restaurants with a new model.
- All 106 remaining Beefeater restaurants will permanently close on September 10, 2026, Whitbread confirmed. The move marks the end of the well-known steakhouse brand after more than five decades of operation across the United Kingdom.
- Rising costs forced the company to execute its Accelerating Growth Plan, with CEO Dominic Paul attributing the decision to "significant cost increases." This strategy replaces traditional branded restaurants with an "integrated food and drink model" at Premier Inn hotels.
- Redeployment efforts aim to retain a "significant proportion" of staff, though the restructuring is expected to cut around 3,800 jobs. Changes will enable Whitbread to add 3,600 new hotel extension rooms in high-demand locations.
- In a letter to Beefeater Reward Club members, the company stated, "As you may have seen, we have recently announced changes to our business, which is resulting in the closure of our Branded Restaurants." The loyalty scheme will close on August 31.
- While the Beefeater brand will disappear, the future of individual restaurant sites remains unclear. This restructuring follows a broader 2026 trend, with chains including BrewDog and Franco Manca also forced to close restaurants this year.
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Total News Sources14
Leaning Left1Leaning Right2Center11Last UpdatedBias Distribution79% Center
Bias Distribution
- 79% of the sources are Center
79% Center
C 79%
14%
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