Two iconic restaurant chains are set to close multiple branches across the UK, delivering another blow to British high streets. The Real Greek will shut nine of its Mediterranean restaurants, while Franco Manca is closing 16 locations, including nine in London.
The Real Greek Closures
The Karali Group, parent company of Côte Brasserie, rescued The Real Greek’s former owner Fulham Shore last week, acquiring 19 of the chain's 28 branches. The remaining nine sites are closing, resulting in 151 job losses. The affected locations are:
- Bristol
- Dulwich Village
- Edinburgh
- Gloucester Quays
- Glasgow
- Spitalfields
- The Strand
- Solihull
- Westfield White City
Franco Manca Closures
Fulham Shore, which still owns Franco Manca, announced plans to shut some sites as part of a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) process in April. Creditors approved the plan, leading to the closure of 16 branches across the UK, with around 225 job losses. The confirmed closures are:
- Battersea
- Bishops Stortford
- Brixton
- Broadway Market
- Bromley
- Cheltenham
- Chiswick
- Didsbury
- Glasgow
- Hove
- Kilburn
- Lincoln
- New Oxford Street
- Plymouth
- Stoke Newington
- Tottenham Court Road
Marcel Khan, CEO of Fulham Shore, commented: 'Franco Manca is a fantastic brand with a strong heritage and loyal customer base. With this agreement in place, we will put the business back on a firm footing and press ahead with strengthening our customer offer and performance.'
These closures add to the ongoing struggles of the UK high street, following the shutdowns of other restaurants like MEATliquor, Beefeater, and Brewers Fayre. Retail chains have also seen a surge in closures, with brands such as Quiz Clothing, Southern Co-op, and Gandys either entering administration or announcing potential closures.
