RESTAURANT GROUP ‘ ENCOURAGED’ BY TRADE

FRANKIE & BENNY’S and Wagamama owner The Restaurant Group ( TRG) has seen half- year losses nearly triple during the pandemic, but said trading has been “very encouraging” since sites reopened.

The group, which also owns a raft of pubs and brands including Brunning & Price, said the pandemic sent it slumping to a £ 234.7million half- year loss for the six months to June 28 against losses of £ 78.8million a year earlier.

It booked a £ 132.4million charge for restructuring costs, having shut nearly 250 of its 653 sites.

But TRG said it was pleased with sales over the 11 weeks to September 20, with around 90 per cent of its remaining 400 sites now open.

STAYING POSITIVE: Trading has improved since sites reopened