Sainsbury’s Closing Cafes As It Overhauls Eat-In And Takeaway Food Offer

Sainsbury’s is set to close 200 of its in-store cafes and some of its hot food counters as part of an overhaul that will see it roll out its new Restaurant Hub food hall format.

The retailer stated that it wants to transform its eat-in, takeaway and home delivery food and drink offer to give customers a better experience. Sainsbury’s has been trialling The Restaurant Hub concept at its Selly Oak store in Birmingham in conjunction with the Boparan Restaurant Group (BRG). It features a range of restaurant brands, including Caffè Carluccio’s, Gourmet Burger Kitchen, Ed’s Diner, and Slim Chickens.

The two companies are planning to open 30 more The Restaurant Hubs in the next year, with the intention to accelerate the roll-out if the format proves popular.

Sainsbury’s will also open another 30 Starbucks coffee shops in its supermarkets in the next twelve months, bringing the total number to 60. Working with BRG and Starbucks, Sainsbury’s plans to overhaul its offer in 250 supermarkets over the next three years

NamNews Implications:

• Lockdown and Takeaways says it all…
• But one of many fundamental shake-outs arising.
• Benefits for those businesses that can recognise the change, and act decisively…
• How about you?

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