Fife restaurants under threat as chain's future uncertain

The Restaurant Group (TRG), which owns Frankie and Benny’s in Kirkcaldy and Dunfermline, as well as Chiquito’s in the west Fife town, is refusing to name the branches on its hit list while it undergoes a restructuring.

TRG is aiming to renegotiate better terms with its landlords in the hope of making business more profitable.

The company says it will undertake a review of its sites and has identified approximately 210 trading sites that are either underperforming, on unfavourable lease terms, or are not expected to perform well.

Of these, approximately 125 sites have been identified for closure in the short term, with the balance of 85 sites being subject to a reduction in rental costs and revised lease terms.

A spokesman for TRG told the Press that they would not reveal the location of 125 branches earmarked for closure at this time.

A meeting will take place on June 29, after which is it understood that the list may be made public.

Andy Hornby, Chief Executive said: "The issues facing our sector are well documented and we have already taken decisive action to improve our liquidity, reduce our cost base and downsize our operations.

“The proposed CVA will deliver an appropriately-sized estate for our Leisure business to ensure we are well positioned despite the very challenging market conditions facing the casual dining sector.

“I would like to wholeheartedly thank all of my TRG colleagues for their continued understanding and extraordinary commitment during this unprecedented period."

The attendant creditors' meeting in respect of TRG UK Ltd is scheduled for June 29, 2020.