All the restaurant chains that have faced collapse and closed branches during the pandemic

RESTAURANT chains across the UK have struggled to stay afloat over the last year as the country is plunged in and out of coronavirus lockdowns.

Many chains were already in trouble pre-pandemic as the high street was depleted due to competing with the popularity of online sales.

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But shortly after the first Government-ordered nationwide lockdown in March 2020, a raft of restaurant chains collapsed into administration.

Unable to survive in such an uncertain climate, more chains have closed some of their doors for good as part of restructuring plans and rescue deals.

Now, hospitality venues have been given the go-ahead to reopen indoor areas from May 17 under plans to ease England out of lockdown.

We’ve taken a look at major restaurant brands that have collapsed and closed branches since March 2020.

Carluccio’s

The Italian dining chain tumbled into administration days after restaurants were told to shut their doors in March.

The impact of the pandemic was the final straw for the firm’s long-standing financial difficulties.

At least 40 restaurants had to close with more than 1,000 staff losing their jobs .

In May 2020, the brand, 30 remaining restaurants and 800 jobs were saved in a rescue deal by Giraffe and Ed’s Easy Diner owner Boparan Restaurant Group (BRG).

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Byron Burger

Byron is another dining brand already facing difficulties before the pandemic. 

In June 2020, the burger chain hired administrators, which said the brand would be sold to the company Calveton. 

While the move saved the company, it lost 31 restaurants and cost 651 workers their jobs. 

Only 20 of Byron’s 51 branches have stayed open.

ASK Italian and Zizzi

The Azzurri Group which owns ASK Italian and Zizzi closed 75 of its restaurants after collapsing into insolvency last year. 

More than 1,200 jobs were also lost. 

A rescue deal by investment firm TowerBrook Capital Partners saved 225 of their restaurants and shops, protecting 5,000 jobs. 

We’ve contacted Azzuri for a list of the restaurants that won’t be opening their doors next week.

Bella Italia, Las Iguanas and Cafe Rouge

In July, Casual Dining Group, which owns Bella Italia, Las Iguanas, Le Pain Quotedien and Cafe Rouge, confirmed it had hired administrators. 

It closed 91 restaurants, causing nearly 2,000 job losses.

Later that month, it was bought in a rescue deal by former TGI Friday owner Epiris, which saw the restaurant group rebranded as The Big Table.

We’ve contacted The Big Table for a list of branches that have closed. 

Chiquito

In March last year, Chiquito announced it would be closing more than 75% of its sites when its owner The Restaurant Group was placed into administration.

The Restaurant Group, which also owns Wagamama and Frankie and Benny’s said the coronavirus lockdown was the reason for calling in administrators.

At least 61 Chiquito restaurants have since closed, leaving just 19 standing.

It is believed around 1,500 jobs were lost as a result.

Frankie and Benny’s

The Restaurant Group went on to close 125 of its other restaurants including a raft of Frankie & Benny’s locations.

It also completely shut down its Food and Fuel chain of pubs in London.

We’ve asked Frankie & Benny’s how many branches closed and where. 

Gourmet Burger Kitchen

Gourmet Burger Kitchen was another chain that had been struggling prior to the pandemic. 

The group was rescued by Boparan Restaurant Group but it was still forced to close 26 restaurants, causing 362 job losses. 

The deal saved 35 sites and 669 jobs from GBK’s original network of 61 restaurants and 1,031 employees.

Pret a Manger

In August, Pret a Manger axed 2,800 jobs as it struggled to bounce back from the coronavirus pandemic.

The cuts come after the high street chain said last month that it was planning a shake-up which would result in the closure of 30 sites.

Pizza Express

Pizza Express closed 73 restaurants during the pandemic, leading to more than 1,100 job losses. 

The pizza chain has been struggling for some years and has amassed hundreds of millions of pounds in debt. 

Pizza Express said its sales were hit by the temporary closure of all its restaurants due to lockdown, as well as the cost of reopening them.

The chain opened 143 restaurants for al fresco dining in April and is now preparing to reopen 374 for indoor dining on May 17. 

Pizza Hut

In September, Pizza Hut became another chain to take the axe stores in order to avoid collapse.

A restructuring deal resulted in the closure of 29 of its 244 restaurants, leading to 450 job losses. 

Wahaca

Wahaca has permanently shut the door to nearly half of restaurants during the pandemic.

The Mexican food chain closed 10 of its restaurants after Covid-19 hammered profitability.

It now has 13 remaining branches in London locations as well as Brighton, Cardiff and Edinburgh.

Yo! Sushi

Yo! Sushi closed 19 of its restaurants last year, cutting around 250 jobs, in September.

Yo! explained that the sites earmarked for closure are “no longer financially viable”, in the current trading environment.

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Ahead of May 17, we’ve looked at major restaurant chains’ reopening plans.

Elsewhere, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know about rules easing on May 17.

Last year, we also took a look at the major high street names that had gone bust or closed stores during the pandemic.

This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk