Ronay gives verdict on Welcome Break

Food critic Egon Ronay has launched his first star-rating scheme for cafés and restaurants at Welcome Break motorway service stations.

No food outlets gained three stars and only three gained two stars. Single stars were awarded to 12 outlets.

Ronay said: "The task is very difficult and will take a long time but I am pleased that we were able to award stars to about 15% of all the company's outlets, thereby creating competition within each of their service stations."

He added: "The rigidity of franchised operations - for instance, KFC, Burger King and McDonald's - none of which is starred yet, are the main obstacle to overcome."

The two-star winners were a Brioche Dorée café at London Gateway services on the M1, a Granary self-service restaurant at Membury West services on the M4, and a Caffé Primo at Corley North on the M6.

Of the one-star winners, seven were Brioche Dorée, four were Granary outlets, and one was a Red Hen table-service restaurant.

Ronay signed the deal to inspect the catering at Welcome Break's 24 service stations in July last year. He and his team visit each of the company's approximately 100 catering outlets once every four weeks.