Beefeater & Brewers Fayre Set To Close Over 200 Restaurants & Cut 1,500 Jobs
- Significant closures announced: Whitbread to shut down over 200 restaurant locations.
- Job cuts on the horizon: Approximately 1,500 jobs to be eliminated in the restructuring.
- Shift to hotel expansion: The company plans to focus more on growing its hotel business.
Today marks a pivotal shift for Whitbread, the owner of well-known brands like Premier Inn, Beefeater, and Brewers Fayre, as it announces plans to close more than 200 of its restaurant locations and cut around 1,500 jobs. The decision is part of a strategic refocus towards expanding its more profitable hotel sector.
Olivia Marshall at The Sun reports that this move comes amid evolving consumer preferences and market conditions, prompting Whitbread to optimize its operations and prioritize hotel expansion over its branded restaurants across the UK.
In a statement from the company, a spokesperson expressed, "This has been a tough decision. However, focusing on our hotel business where we see greater growth potential allows us to adapt to changing customer demands while continuing to deliver quality service."
Tom Church, Co-Founder of LatestDeals.co.uk, commented, "The closure of over 200 Whitbread restaurants and the significant job losses are certainly disheartening news for the employees and patrons alike. This decision reflects the harsh realities many companies in the hospitality sector are facing as they adjust to new market dynamics and consumer expectations."
