Restaurant slump over?

SHARES in Frankie & Benny’s owner The Restaurant Group soared by 10.5pc yesterday despite it revealing a 1.8pc fall in sales.

Investors were relieved when the chain, which runs 491 restaurants, pointed to strong performance in its concessions business at airports and railway stations. The upbeat update for the 20 weeks to May 21 pushed shares up 33.2p to 350.6p.