Frankie & Benny’s and Chiquito owner The Restaurant Group has made an “encouraging” start to year with like-for-like sales for the first five months ahead of expectations.

The company said that like-for-like sales for the 19 weeks to 13 May were up 4% and added that its new openings programme is progressing well, with eight new sites opened in the year to date.

Chairman Alan Jackson said: “We are encouraged by our performance so far this year and our new openings programme is progressing well. We continue to expect to open between 30 and 35 new units during the full year.”

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By Kerstin Kühn

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