A well-loved UK restaurant chain is facing an uncertain future as its owners put the business on the market, potentially leading to more closures.
Côte Brasserie, a French-inspired dining chain currently operating 70 locations across the UK, has been put up for sale by its private equity owner, Partners Group. The firm, which rescued Côte from administration in 2020 in a £55 million deal, has launched an auction in search of new investors, according to Sky News.
Insiders report that Côte is being marketed on the back of its £150 million turnover from last year. However, despite the chain's popularity, only 60 of its 70 restaurants are reportedly profitable — raising concerns that further closures could be on the horizon.
In recent months, Côte Brasserie shuttered its Gloucester Quays branch, which opened in 2017, and a long-standing site in Hampstead, London, which had operated for 14 years.
MailOnline has reached out to Côte Brasserie for comment regarding the potential sale and future of the remaining restaurants.
In other hospitality news, celebrated chef Gary Usher has announced the permanent closure of his Heswall-based bistro, Burnt Truffle, citing ongoing financial struggles. Opened in 2015 after a successful £100,000 crowdfunding campaign, the bistro earned high praise — including two Rosettes and favourable reviews from critics like Jay Rayner. However, Usher admitted via a post on X (formerly Twitter) that he had “never been able to make it work,” despite the government’s challenging policies for the industry in recent years.
Usher confirmed that all staff, suppliers, and financial obligations had been settled, with remaining customer vouchers redeemable at his other restaurants, including Sticky Walnut in Chester.
In a candid video, he reflected on the restaurant's journey: “It’s a sad day. When I think back to when we opened, we had the likes of Jay Rayner and Lisa Markwell visiting, we quickly gained two rosettes, and we were the first UK restaurant to be crowdfunded without offering investment in return.”
Despite the setback, Usher affirmed that his restaurant group would continue: “We carry on, we keep trying, and we keep innovating to get through these tough times.”
Known for his outspoken views, Usher has made headlines in recent years for publicly addressing customer complaints and industry challenges. He starred in Channel 4’s 2019 documentary The Rebel Chef: My Restaurant Revolution, which chronicled the opening of another crowdfunded venture, Pinion, in Prescot.
As Côte Brasserie faces an uncertain future under new ownership and Gary Usher bids farewell to Burnt Truffle, the UK’s restaurant scene continues to navigate a difficult post-pandemic landscape, where rising costs and operational pressures persist. Both stories highlight the resilience and realities of an industry still finding its footing. Photo by Ewan Munro from London, UK, Wikimedia commons.