Restaurant predictions for 2009

29 December 2008
Restaurant predictions for 2009

The past 12 months saw a number of high profile restaurant launches but in 2009 the trend for celebrity chef-led operations looks set to slow down. There will be more openings in retail developments, including Canary Wharf in London, St David's in Cardiff and The Core in Leeds.

Of course, the looming recession is of concern to all operators and the first three months of the year will be the acid test for the restaurant sector. The weakening pound could mean a rise in tourists boosting business in central London but operators located in the outskirts will be vulnerable.

Those hoping to beat the downturn will be looking to cut costs and offer deals to lure diners but the key to success will be careful menu planning to maintain margins and removing those costs that don't add value.

Expect consolidation in the chain restaurant sector, while some of the public listed groups could go back to private.

Tips also remain on the agenda for 2009 and the Government's consultation on proposals to ban operators from using tips to make up national minimum wage (NMW) concludes in February. It seems likely that NMW will become salary-only and that a disclosure regime will be enforced.

Finally, after a poor set of awards last year, hopes are high that 2009 will be the first year since 2004 that the top accolade of three Michelin stars will be awarded in the UK. Nathan Outlaw is a strong contender to rise to the two-star status, while French chefs Hélène Darroze and Jean-Christophe Ansanay-Alex are also tipped to gain two stars.

2008 - Hospitality news review of the year >>

Restaurants must adapt to survive the downturn >>

Developer shrugs off credit crunch impact on Canary Wharf restaurants >>

Video: New concepts make their debut at Westfield London >>

Hospitality experts urge caution on tips law >>

Top Michelin-rated restaurants >>

Restaurants should resist the temptation to discount heavily >>

By Kerstin Kühn

E-mail your comments to Kerstin Kühn here.

Caterersearch.com jobs
Looking for a new job? Find your next restaurant job here with Caterersearch.com jobs

The Caterer Blog](http://www.caterersearch.com/blogs/catering-news-blog/) Catch up with more news and gossip on the Caterer Blog here
[Newsletters For the latest hospitality news, sign up for our e-mail newsletters.
The Caterer Breakfast Briefing Email

Start the working day with The Caterer’s free breakfast briefing email

Sign Up and manage your preferences below

Check mark icon
Thank you

You have successfully signed up for the Caterer Breakfast Briefing Email and will hear from us soon!

Jacobs Media is honoured to be the recipient of the 2020 Queen's Award for Enterprise.

The highest official awards for UK businesses since being established by royal warrant in 1965. Read more.

close

Ad Blocker detected

We have noticed you are using an adblocker and – although we support freedom of choice – we would like to ask you to enable ads on our site. They are an important revenue source which supports free access of our website's content, especially during the COVID-19 crisis.

trade tracker pixel tracking