Think of Whitbread as the quiet giant of British hospitality. They own over 800 Premier Inns and a whole fleet of restaurant chains you’ve probably visited, like Brewers Fayre and Table Table. And now they’re saying, “We’re closing 126 underperforming restaurants.” That’s a lot of Sunday roasts suddenly off the menu.
The main culprit is inflation. Energy bills are sky-high, food costs are jumping, and staff wages are rising. It’s like trying to run a marathon while carrying a fridge—super tough, right?
What Brands Are Getting the Chop?
They’re not naming every single restaurant, but the closures are mostly from their “soft brands” like Beefeater and Brewers Fayre. These are the classic, family-friendly spots with the sticky toffee pudding and the sticky tables. It’s a cultural shift—people are eating out less, or choosing cheaper, faster options. Even your nan’s favorite pub isn’t immune.
Here’s a fun comparison: Imagine if Netflix suddenly cancelled every show that wasn’t a mega-hit. That’s Whitbread trimming the fat to survive. They’re keeping the hits (Premier Inn) and ditching the risky experiments (under-performing restaurants).
