Whitbread Closes 197 UK Restaurants, Streamlines Hotel Focus

0:00On May 1st, Whitbred, the folks behind Premiere Inn, just drop the bombshell, all 197 beef feeder and brewers fare restaurants. Across the UK are closing for good, wiping out 3,800 jobs. Of those, 87 spots next to hotels will flip into extra premiere in-rooms, while the other 110 gets sold off over the next two years. These brands go way back, beef feeder since 1974, with its steaks and pug grub, brewers fare from 1981, famous for kids. Play areas like trolley chalk. Fans are gutted and workers face tough times ahead, though consultations are underway with redeployment options. The move ditches other chains too, white table table and cook house, swapping them for streamlined food setup right in the hotels that guests actually. It's all about battling rising costs from business rates in national insurance hikes. Meanwhile, Whitbred's 5-year plan ramps up savings, sells off 1.5 billion in properties

1:02to fuel growth and i's 96,000. Rooms by 2031. This pivot to a leaner hotel focus should boost margins and keep them ahead of rivals struggling in the game.