Franco Manca Announces Closure of Nine London Restaurants in Major Restructure
The beloved sourdough pizza chain Franco Manca is set to close nine of its London restaurants as part of a significant cost-saving restructuring effort. This move includes the shuttering of its iconic Brixton branch, the very location where the brand was founded nearly two decades ago. The decision comes amidst growing financial pressures on the hospitality sector, with the parent company, The Fulham Shore, pointing to "disproportionately high" taxes and a lack of business rates relief as primary drivers.
Historic Brixton Branch Among the Casualties
Franco Manca's roots trace back to Brixton Market Row, where founders Giuseppe Mascoli and Bridget Hugo took over a local staple known as "Franco's" in 2008 to launch their sourdough pizza concept. The Brixton location, which recently relocated to a more prominent site at the corner of Atlantic Road and Electric Lane in early 2024, is now slated for closure. This marks a poignant end for the branch that symbolizes the chain's humble beginnings and its deep connection to the local community.
Financial Strains and Broader UK Closures
The London closures are part of a larger national strategy, with Franco Manca planning to shutter approximately 16 of its over 70 locations across the United Kingdom. This restructuring puts more than 200 jobs at risk and follows a pattern of challenges in the restaurant industry. According to trade publication MCA Insight, the affected London branches include Battersea, Stoke Newington, Kilburn, and Tottenham Court Road, among others. Outside the capital, sites in Bishop's Stortford, Cheltenham, Didsbury, Glasgow, Hove, Lincoln, and Plymouth are also on the closure list.
Parent Company Cites Government Policies as Key Factors
Marcel Khan, CEO of The Fulham Shore, which also operates The Real Greek brand, emphasized that even well-performing restaurants are not immune to external economic pressures. He highlighted specific government-imposed financial hits, such as increases in national insurance and the national living wage, as significant burdens. Additionally, Khan noted the lack of business rates relief for the restaurant sector and the UK's high VAT rates compared to Europe as contributing factors to the unsustainable cost environment.
"We have to make sure that we are putting our business on a sustainable footing for long-term growth and development," Khan stated. "This is why we have taken the difficult decision to undertake a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) for Franco Manca, which will see a minority proportion of our restaurants closing where they are no longer sustainable."
Recent Financial Performance and Industry Context
Filings covering April to December 2025 revealed that The Fulham Shore's revenue decreased by 5.4 percent year-on-year, with both sales and profits described as "bad." The company was purchased by Japanese restaurant group Toridoll, with backing from investment firm Capdesia, for £93.4 million in 2023. The closures come just two weeks after another London-based chain, Patty&Bun, shuttered four locations overnight, following its own restructuring in March 2025 and acquisition out of administration for around £500,000.
Full List of London Closures
The nine Franco Manca locations in London set to close are:
- Battersea
- Brixton
- Broadway Market
- Bromley
- Chiswick
- Kilburn
- New Oxford Street
- Stoke Newington
- Tottenham Court Road
Khan expressed deep sadness over the closures and committed to supporting affected team members throughout the process. The restructuring aims to stabilize the business for future growth, but it underscores the ongoing challenges facing the hospitality industry in London and beyond.
