The closures will affect approximately 12% of Whitbread’s workforce of 30,000 employees. Specifically, the company will shut down its remaining 197 restaurants, with some locations being converted into additional hotel rooms to support the growth of its Premier Inn brand.

This move comes amid pressure from an activist investor urging Whitbread to reevaluate its business strategy. The company has been reviewing its operations since November 2025 due to rising costs and declining revenues.

Key facts:

• Whitbread plans to cut about 3,800 jobs in total.
• The proposed changes are part of a new five-year plan aimed at enhancing profitability.
• The Beefeater brand has been in operation since 1974.

Officials from Whitbread have expressed their commitment to retaining a significant proportion of affected staff. A spokesperson stated, “We will do all we can to support those colleagues affected.” Meanwhile, the Unite union is seeking consultations regarding the proposed redundancies.

Recent financial reports revealed that Whitbread’s revenues remained flat for the year ending February 26. Additionally, shares have dropped by about 20% over the past six months due to various challenges facing the hospitality sector.

Colenzo Jarrett-Thorpe from Unite criticized how employees learned about the job cuts through media reports, calling it disgraceful. The union aims to ensure that affected workers receive fair treatment during this transition.

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Approximately 12% of Whitbread’s workforce, which totals around 30,000 employees, will be affected by these closures. The company plans to convert all 197 of its branded restaurants into hotel-based food and drink services, aligning with its new vision.

This move comes after Whitbread’s revenues remained flat for the year ending February 26, and its shares have dropped by 20% in the past six months. The restructuring follows rising costs related to recent fiscal changes in the UK, prompting the company to reassess its business strategy.

Key facts:

• Whitbread intends to sell and lease back £1.5 billion of its freehold properties.
• The Beefeater brand has been part of Whitbread since its establishment in 1974.
• More than 800 Premier Inn hotels are currently operated by Whitbread across the UK.

Dominic Paul, CEO of Whitbread, stated, “We plan to convert all our remaining branded restaurants to an integrated food and beverage offer that is preferred by our hotel guests and will unlock the addition of more highly profitable extension rooms.” However, reactions from employees have been critical; Colenzo Jarrett-Thorpe from the Unite union expressed outrage that staff learned about job cuts through media reports rather than direct communication from the company.

The Unite union is seeking consultations regarding the proposed redundancies as workers prepare for significant changes within the hospitality sector. This restructuring marks a pivotal moment for Whitbread as it transitions into a pure hotel business model.

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