Byron Burger set to close four branches and scale back UK expansion
The posh burger chain's announcement comes as many bars, pubs and restaurant chains in the UK are pulling back on expansion and may close outlets
POSH burger chain Byron confirmed four of its outlets are facing closure as the restaurant industry struggles with tough trading conditions, Sun Online has learnt.
This comes after a last week revealed that the company brought in advisory firm KPMG as it works to cut costs.
A spokesperson for Byron today confirmed to Sun Online that four of its branches were under review and are likely to close.
“As previously announced, Byron is closing four restaurants as part of our careful management of the estate,” a Byron spokesperson said.
"As we develop our business we are looking at new growth opportunities, including the opening of new restaurants.”
Byron did not comment on the location of the exact branches. The company also declined to comment on its future expansion plans.
The posh burger opened in 2007 and now operates from 70 sites across the UK.
In April, Byron said increased competition in the sector had meant sales growth had fallen to 16.7 per cent in the year to June 26 2016, from 24.4 per cent in the same period in 2015.
Earlier this week, the burger chain appointed new chief executive Simon Cope nearly four months after its previous boss stepped down.
Both Wagamama and Byron are backed by private equity firm Hutton Collins, which bought the burger chain back in October 2013.
END OF SERVICE Jamie Oliver to close six restaurants due to ‘tough market’ following Brexit vote
This comes as many bars, pubs and restaurant chains across the UK are pulling back on expansion and may close outlets amid big rises in food and drink costs.
Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver closed six restaurants in the wake of the Brexit vote.
Meanwhile, burger chain Handmade Burger Co went into administration earlier this summer, putting hundreds of jobs at risk before being snapped up by an unnamed buyer.
Bars, pubs and restaurant chains are pulling back on expansion and may close outlets amid rises in food and drink costs.
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