🕐 Updated: 2026-05-01 23:45 UTC | UK hospitality sector crisis deepens.

The Real Greek, a well-known Mediterranean-style restaurant chain with 28 outlets across the UK, is on the verge of collapse after its parent company announced plans to appoint administrators, BBC reported on May 1. The latest casualty of Britain’s hospitality sector crisis, the chain has been overwhelmed by unsustainable cost pressures driven by inflation.

Cost Pressures Crush the Business

Toridoll, the Japanese parent company that owns The Real Greek’s parent firm The Fulham Shore, said the chain’s business has become unsustainable. Toridoll acquired The Fulham Shore in 2023, which also owns the Franco Manca pizza chain.

In a statement, Toridoll noted: “In recent years, high levels of inflation in the UK, driven by rising energy and food prices together with increases in labour costs resulting from rises in the minimum wage, have created a more challenging operating environment for the hospitality industry than initially anticipated.”

The Real Greek has been hit harder than Franco Manca, primarily due to higher imported ingredient costs and a business model more reliant on the dine-in experience.

Brand Heritage

Founded in London in 1999, The Real Greek is known for its blue-and-white Greek-inspired decor, relaxed atmosphere, and traditional dishes such as hummus and moussaka. The brand’s philosophy is to “take you to Greece” through authentic Mediterranean dining experiences.

Nearly half of its “tavernas” are located in London, with the remainder spread across Scotland and the rest of England. The brand has been a fixture on the UK high street for over 25 years, making its potential collapse particularly symbolic of the broader challenges facing British hospitality.

Potential Buyer Emerges

Despite the impending administration, some of The Real Greek’s outlets may be saved. According to reports, the Karali Group, which owns the Cote Brasserie chain, may be interested in acquiring some of the restaurants. upday News reported that a potential buyer could take on 10 to 15 outlets.

If a deal is struck, the acquired outlets may retain the existing brand or be repositioned, though employee jobs and store operations would face significant changes.

UK Hospitality’s Systemic Crisis

The Real Greek’s troubles are far from isolated. UK hospitality industry bodies have repeatedly warned that rising business rates, soaring energy costs, and increasing labour costs are pushing the entire sector toward a survival crisis.

Several well-known restaurant brands have fallen into financial distress this year alone. Analysts point to post-pandemic shifts in consumer behavior, tightening household spending, and persistently high operating costs as forces reshaping the competitive landscape of the UK restaurant industry.

What Happens Next

Once The Real Greek enters administration, the administrators will evaluate various options, including a full or partial sale of the business, closure of some outlets, or brand restructuring. The employment prospects for the hundreds of affected staff remain uncertain.

For consumers, gift vouchers and reservations already made may need to be handled through the administrators. UK consumer protection agencies advise that holders of the brand’s gift vouchers should use them as soon as possible or seek refunds.

Source: BBC, upday News