Premier Inn’s parent company is planning to shut down two well-known restaurant chains in the UK, leading to the closure of nearly hundreds of locations across the country.

Whitbread has revealed its decision to close all remaining Beefeater and Brewers Fayre restaurants, resulting in the closure of almost 200 establishments and the loss of 3,800 jobs. This strategic move is part of a new five-year plan aimed at achieving substantial cost savings amounting to a quarter of a billion pounds, while also revamping its restaurant operations.

Although most of the 30,000-strong workforce will be retained, approximately 12 percent of employees from the affected locations will face job cuts.

These restaurants, often situated adjacent to or within Premier Inn hotels, have served as popular dining spots for millions of yearly visitors. The closures mark the end of an era for Beefeater restaurants, which have been in operation for over 50 years, while Brewers Fayre was nearing its 50th anniversary in 2029.

The company attributes the closures to increased business rates and National Insurance costs, as stated by Whitbread’s CEO Dominic Paul. As part of the plan, Whitbread intends to sell and lease back around £1.5 billion worth of its freehold properties to support future growth initiatives. Paul expressed confidence in transitioning the remaining branded restaurants to a more appealing food and beverage concept preferred by hotel guests, aiming to introduce more profitable extension rooms.

He emphasized the company’s commitment to enhancing its commercial strategy and operational efficiencies to solidify its leading market position and capture market share from struggling competitors.

The affected Brewers Fayre restaurants set to close are:
– [List of Brewers Fayre restaurants]

The following Beefeater restaurants are scheduled for closure:
– [List of Beefeater restaurants]