Friday five: the week’s top restaurant stories

– Brian Trollip has been promoted to the role of CEO at Dishoom​​. Previously managing director at the Bombay-inspired Indian restaurant group, Trollip’s new role sees him looking after all aspects of the business as it continues to grow and evolve. Trollip joined the restaurant group five months into its life in November 2010 when it had just one restaurant in Covent Garden and employed around 50 staff. Today, the group operates 13 restaurants, comprising 10 Dishooms and three Permit Rooms, the third of which opens in Oxford this week, employs around 2,00 people and reported a turnover last year of £117m. He became managing director at Dishoom in October 2020.

– Profits at the UK’s biggest 100 restaurant groups have fallen in the past year despite an increase in turnover. Overall profits fell by 1% to £244.1m in 2024, down from £246.5m the previous year​​, according to new research by accountancy group UHY Hacker Young. This was despite turnover at the UK’s top 100 restaurant groups increasing sharply in the past year, reaching £9.6bn in September 2024, a 21% increase from £7.9bn in the previous year. However, the benefits of that increase in turnover have been largely eroded by the impact of inflation on food and drink costs and a higher interest burden on debt, says UHY Hacker Young. The results are described by UHY Hacker Young as ‘a creditable performance’ considering the challenges the sector has faced from the cost-of-living crisis and years of losses the sector has suffered from during the pandemic. The top 100 UK restaurant companies reported a loss of £673m in 2021, it says.

– Michelin has chosen the city of Glasgow in which to host next year’s annual revelation ceremony for its Great Britain & Ireland guide​​. Taking place on 10 February 2025 at Glasgow’s Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum it will be the first time the event has been held in Scotland and will continue the tyre company’s moving of the event beyond the capital following this year’s event in Manchester. At the ceremony new Michelin stars and special awards will be unveiled.