Frankie & Benny's opens in Chingford
The Frankie & Benny's chain opened its 73rd restaurant in the UK last week at Chingford, Essex. The group is aiming to open another 14 restaurants in the UK this year. The chain serves American-Italian style food.
Ackerman's guide
The fifth edition of the Café Crème Guide to the Cafés of Europe has just been published by veteran restaurateur Roy Ackerman. The guide covers 50 cities in 13 countries.
Gaucho goodies
Gaucho Grill, the Argentinian restaurant chain, has launched a new menu. The restaurant, most famous for its steaks, is also serving other Argentinian specialities such as carbonada criolla stew. The restaurant has also updated its wine list.
Sluggett sells Vulcan
The Vulcan pub in Llanwrthwl, mid-Wales, has been sold by Bob Sluggett to the Punch Pub Company for £485,000. The pub stands back from the A470 just south of Rhayader.
Barracuda boost
The Barracuda group is opening the 50th of its Smith & Jones pubs next week in London's St Katharine's Dock. The company has a total of 142 pubs. Chief executive Mark McQuater said: "We are well on track with our stated intention of expanding by around 25 units per year and fully expect to invest at least £18m in 2003."
Bull's Head sale
The leasehold to the Bull's Head pub in Charnwood Forest, Leicestershire, has been sold to Robert and Deborah Harling by Vincent and Anita Hever. The asking price for the leasehold was £80,000 through Christie & Co. The freehold is owned by the Punch Pub Company.
Dawnay deal
The Dawnay Arms pub in Newton on Ouse, near York, has been sold to the newly formed Three M's pub company by landlord Tim Longley, who is retiring. Christie & Co, which handled the sale, asked £525,000 for the freehold.