Ian Pegler quits as chief executive of Little Chef

Little Chef boss Ian Pegler, who was responsible for drafting in Heston Blumenthal to spruce up the chain's food offering, has left the company.

The business said that Pegler's departure came after "delivery of the initial two-year plan for the regeneration" of Little Chef, according to the Guardian.

Blumenthal's efforts to revamp Little Chef's food were filmed as part of a Channel 4 programme called Big Chef Takes on Little Chef.

The three Michelin-starred chef repeatedly clashed with Pegler during the show, which saw him reinvent Little Chef's Popham restaurant near Basingstoke. But their collaboration resulted in a 500% rise in sales at the outlet, and trade is still said to be up 150% on previous levels.

Two more restaurants in York and Kettering also underwent the treatment, and £2m had been earmarked to roll the concept out to five other outlets.

But those plans are now understood to be on hold. "The management team are working out exactly what they are going to do. New plans will be revealed," a spokeswoman said.

No replacement for Pegler has been announced.

Little Chef mascot revamped to look more chef-like >>

Heston Blumenthal returns to Little Chef in new TV show >>

First Little Chef revamped by Heston Blumenthal makes Good Food Guide >>


By Neil Gerrard

E-mail your comments to Neil Gerrard here.

If you have something to say on this story or anything else join the debate at Table Talk - Caterer's new networking forum. Go to www.caterersearch.com/tabletalk

Caterersearch.com jobs
Looking for a new job? Find your next restaurant job here with Caterersearch.com jobs