Little Chef is to close 67 of its 161 sites, with the loss of up to 600 jobs - and the possibility of making finding a familiar roadside fry-up just a little bit harder - it's been announced today.
Little Chef was saved back in 2007 by investment group RCapital, which brought the company out of administration and saved 193 of the chain's 235 outlets.
But the sites set to close have been trading unprofitably for years, says the company, and that the move is essential to allow it to focus on and develop its remaining sites, of which 13 have already been upgraded, partly using advice from the revamping of several sites by TV chef Heston Blumenthal in 2008.
The restaurant chain, which opened in 1958, had become a roadside staple by the 1980s, but 21st century competition from drive-through fast food franchises and roadside 'family' pub/restaurants has caused the Little Chef to haemorrhage money and branches for much of the past decade. The chain will retain around 1500 employees.
Pics: Richard Croft and Mark Evison
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