Ramsden's meals withdrawn from Little Chef

Harry Ramsden's branded meals are to be withdrawn from 40 Little Chef roadside restaurants from 6 July.

Garry Cross, managing director of Harry Ramsden's, said: "Although successful in adding sales, both ourselves and Little Chef felt that this type of franchise diluted the recognition of our respective brands."

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Ramsden's fish and chips: off the menu

But he added that the chain would continue to develop its franchise programme alongside its directly managed restaurants. Harry Ramsden's is part of contract catering giant Compass, which also owned Little Chef before selling it to venture capital firm Permira in December 2002. Some sites featured both restaurant brands, so at the time of the sale a franchise agreement was put in place to allow Little Chef to continue selling Harry Ramsden's meals. Buy this week's *Caterer* magazine for more industry news and analysis