The Restaurant Group plans more than 45 sites in 2016

The Restaurant Group, the firm behind brands including Frankie & Benny's, Chiquito and Brunning & Price, expects to open in excess of 45 sites in 2016.

The news came in a trading update from the business for the 45 weeks to 8 November, in which it reported that total sales were 8% ahead of the same period in 2014, and like-for-like sales were 2% ahead.

The company has opened 25 new restaurants in 2015 to date and expects to open a total of 43 to 45 by the year's end.

It said its pipeline of new sites was strong and it anticipated opening at least as many sites in 2016.

The Restaurant Group operates over 480 restaurants and pub restaurants throughout the UK. Other brands in its stable include Coast to Coast, and it owns a concessions division which operates in major UK airports.

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