Pizza Hut UK acquires Pizza Hut’s dine-in operations, 68 restaurants closing with loss of more than 1,700 jobs: Pizza Hut UK has acquired Pizza Hut’s dine-in operations through a pre-packaged administration, which will see 68 restaurants close and the loss of more than 1,700 jobs. DC London Pie, the company formed a year ago to run Pizza Hut UK after a pre-pack deal, today (Monday, 20 October) appointed FTI as administrators. The applicant behind the filing of the notice was Yum! III (UK), a subsidiary of American food outlet operator Yum! Brands, which holds a charge over the business. Directional Capital, which operated franchises in Sweden and Denmark, bought the 139 restaurants in a pre-pack deal that saved 3,000 jobs. The business has now been acquired by Pizza Hut UK. A spokesperson said: “Today, Pizza Hut UK announces the acquisition of the Pizza Hut dine-in operations through a pre-packaged administration, after FTI was announced as administrators of DC London Pie, a franchisee of Pizza Hut dine-in restaurants. We are pleased to secure the continuation of 64 sites to safeguard our guest experience and protect the associated jobs. Approximately 1,277 team members will transfer to the new Yum! equity business under UK TUPE legislation, including above-restaurant leaders and support teams.” Nicolas Burquier, managing director of Pizza Hut Europe and Canada, said: “This targeted acquisition aims to safeguard our guest experience and protect jobs where possible. Our immediate priority is operational continuity at the acquired locations and supporting colleagues through the transition.” Before being acquired by Directional Capital, Pizza Hut UK’s dine-in operations were owned by Heart with Smart, which collapsed last year owing almost £40m to investor Pricoa Capital, which had backed a management buyout. Directional Pizza, part of US-based private equity firm Directional Capital, owns and operates 240-plus Pizza Huts across the UK, Sweden and Denmark. In January, it acquired the operations of Heart With Smart, which manages the operations of the UK Pizza Hut dine-in restaurant business, via a pre-pack deal that saw the transfer and continuing operation of 139 restaurants across the UK. Propel later revealed that Directional Capital paid £10m to acquire Heart With Smart, and that Heart With Smart owed more than £50m as it collapsed before being rescued. Directional Capital also acquired franchisee Nine Group’s portfolio of 38 Pizza Hut Delivery sites in December 2024.

Timpson family-owned pub company reports turnover and profit boost, French site to reopen in December: Flock Inns, which is owned by the Timpson family, has reported a boost in turnover and profit for the year to 28 September 2024. The company owns and operates The White Eagle and The Oyster Catcher in Anglesey and The Partridge in Cheshire, plus Le Tremplin and Hotel La Renardiere in Morzine, France. Turnover for the period was £6,411,614, compared with £5,822,682 in the year to 30 September 2023. Pre-tax profit increased from £5,313 to £400,113. Timpson, a family-owned group that was founded in 1865, founded the company in 2020 when it acquired Cheshire and Noth Wales pub operator 16 Hospitality out of administration. In December 2022, Flock Inns added Le Tremplin Hotel in Morzine, which was established in 1936 by Jeanne and Gaston Taberlet. Le Tremplin is due to reopen in December after two years of refurbishment works. Flock inns features in the Premium Club Turnover & Profits Blue Book, which is available exclusively to Premium Club subscribers and features 1,177 companies. Flock Inns’ turnover of £6,411,614 is the 1,019th highest in the database. Companies can now have an unlimited number of people receive access to Propel Premium for a year for £995 plus VAT – whether they are an operator or a supplier. The single subscription rate is £495 plus VAT for operators and £595 plus VAT for suppliers. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com to upgrade your subscription.