Latest news with #Hickory's
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Inside Swindon's newest restaurant 'going down a storm' with locals
Staff at a new restaurant in Swindon have been 'blown away' by the positive response from locals after a successful opening weekend. Hickory's Smokehouse in Middleleaze was scheduled to open on Monday, May 26 but work to transform the former Brookhouse Farm Hungry Horse pub ran ahead of schedule and the team opened up the restaurant three days early. A spokesperson for the restaurant said they have been 'blown away' by the reaction from guests coming in to be the first to test out the new eatery over a busy bank holiday weekend. "Once we announced that we were able to open a little earlier than planned, guests heard the news and came to check out their new smokehouse", a spokesperson said. "So far, the team are settling in well, guests seem to love what we have done with the place and our smokehouse classics seem to be going down a storm." The Texan restaurant features a relaxed neighbourhood bar area, large sporting screens and cosy booths. For younger visitors, the site boasts a 'movie room' with specially designed menus, an interactive fro-co (frozen custard) creation station and an outdoor play area. The menu includes dishes such as Memphis ribs, Texas-style brisket and BBQ pulled pork, which are all smoked using hickory wood. (Image: Hickory's Smokehouse) (Image: Hickory's Smokehouse) (Image: Hickory's Smokehouse) Milkshakes, burgers, steaks and fajitas are expected to be popular choices, and the restaurant assures that vegetarians are also covered on the menu. The Chester-based company opened their first Hickory's in the city over 15 years ago and now has restaurants across the Midlands, Yorkshire, North Wales, and one in Gloucester. The Swindon branch is the first of its kind in Wiltshire. Staff at Hickory's say they're "thrilled to be opening in Swindon", and can't believe the warm welcome they've had. Recommended reading Swindon's top-rated Indian restaurant still on the market as price reduced "We are beyond happy to be in Swindon," said general manager Ajay Palmer, a Swindon local. "I have been part of the Hickory's family for over seven years now, and to be finally opening here in my hometown is an absolute privilege. "We have all been overwhelmed by the welcome we have had, and we cannot wait to introduce them to our new home and hopefully convert a whole host of new fans to all things BBQ." To kick off the opening, Hickory's invited over 300 guests to come and try their menu, including representatives from Swindon Town FC, locally based charities, schools and businesses.
Metro
23-04-2025
- Business
- Metro
'Unreal' BBQ fast food chain owned by UK pub to open 10 new restaurants in 2025
Serving up burger stacks, steaks, and gooey mac and cheese, an American-inspired fast food chain branded 'unreal' is opening 10 new branches across the UK in 2025. The first Hickory's Smokehouse opened in 2010, born out of a US road trip that saw founder Neil McDonnell travel across the likes of Texas, South Carolina, and Tennessee. It all started in Chester, a year to the day that he returned from the trip of a lifetime – and since it was acquired by pub chain Greene King in 2022, its dreams have got even bigger. In 2024, Hickory's opened six new restaurants – bringing the grand total to 26 as part of a £25,000,000 investment from the 2600-strong pub chain. So far in 2025, a new location in Milton Keynes has already opened. The chain has plans to introduce 10 each year until at least 2027, some of which will see existing Greene King pubs converted into smokehouses. 'We knew Hickory's was a brilliant brand with a unique proposition when we made our initial investment, but it has been great to see the expansion of the brand really resonate with guests,' said Greene King chief executive Nick Mackenzie. 'At a time when the sector is facing significant pressures and layering of costs, Hickory's growth provides a blueprint for our investment strategy to drive the brand's expansion, unlock value and delight Hickory's guests.' Thinking about popping down? Its smokehouses stretch across the UK, including Derby, Lincoln, Wrexham, Leeds, and Huddersfield, with new locations set to open in Swindon and Sheffield later this year. It's no secret that fast food lovers have long been fangirling over Hickory's, which is known for Southern-inspired dishes including brisket popcorn bites, corn dogs, Memphis-style back ribs and smoked brisket. Burgers are also a menu staple, including the famous 'Go Big or Go Home' tower with three toasted buns, two beef patties, a Southern fried chicken fillet, streaky bacon, pork collar, hash brown, and not one but three slices of cheese. And of course, brunch is served every day until 2pm, offering American classics including homemade pancakes, steak and eggs, and a chicken fried waffle. We'll have ours sunny side up, please. Over on Reddit, @Dear_Hornet_2635 said they 'love[d]' their visit to Hickory's and recommended the 'pulled pork baked beans and the cheese and jalapeno sausages.' @AfternoonPenalty recently stumbled across the Gloucestershire restaurant and immediately 'grabbed the brisket sub with gravy,' which they thought was 'bloody lovely.' More Trending 'Deffo worth a visit – and we will be going back,' they added, while @ihavenoimaginaation labelled their 'brisket and bacon bites with the blue cheese sauce' 'top tier.' Visiting Solihull's location after it opened in 2023, TikToker @westmidlands_foodie described the food as 'incredible,' while @user751117768 said it was their 'absolute favourite place' and @jamesbcfc84 labelled the combo 'unreal.' And Priya Holland, who visited the new smokehouse in Milton Keynes earlier this month, wrote in a Facebook post that 'the food was delicious' and with 'good-sized portions.' View More » 'I have never experienced proper American-style food,' she added. 'I'm planning my next visit already.' Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: McDonald's is bringing back '10/10' discontinued menu item and three other fan-favourites MORE: McDonald's is bringing back 'utterly genius' burger and launching exclusive new menu item MORE: WeightWatchers 'filing for bankruptcy' after rise of weight-loss drugs
Scotsman
22-04-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Rachel Reeves to make case for free trade at IMF talks
Watch more of our videos on and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 Visit Shots! now Watch the business stories making the headlines today in under two minutes. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Chancellor to make case for free trade at IMF talks Rachel Reeves is in Washington this week for the International Monetary Fund's Spring Meetings. The annual get-together comes amid the most difficult global economic circumstances since the Covid pandemic. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The chancellor's expected to make the case for free trade, but says she won't be making a deal with the US at any cost. Hickory's to open 10 new sites each year Restaurant chain Hickory's has said it plans to open ten new sites each year - as part of ambitious expansion plans. The BBQ smokehouse brand was acquired by pub giant Greene King in 2022. Hickory's opened six new sites last year to expand to 26 locations. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Kitchenware retailer Lakeland has been acquired in a management buyout backed by investment firm Hilco. The management team, has completed a deal for the business that will enable Lakeland's family owners Sam, Martin and Julian Rayner to retire. Chief executive Catherine Nunn will continue to run the business, together with chief financial and operating officer Stephen Hill and chief commercial officer Neil Piggot. DCC Healthcare to be acquired by Investindustrial for £1.05bn A deal worth more than £1bn has been agreed for DCC Healthcare to be acquired by Investindustrial. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The disposal will allow DCC plc to focus on its energy business. The proposed transaction values DCC Healthcare at £1.05bn. Third of council staff lost in last decade Councils across England and Wales have lost almost a third of their staff over the past decade. A study by the GMB revealed that since 2012, almost 600,000 council jobs had gone. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Birmingham was the worst hit council, losing 27,000 workers, followed by Derbyshire and Staffordshire. Gatwick found to be UK's worst airport for flight delays Plane prepares to take off at Gatwick. | Glyn Kirk / AFP via Getty Images Gatwick has retained its position as the UK's worst airport for flight delays. Departures were an average of more than 23 minutes behind schedule last year. Flights from Birmingham airport had the second poorest punctuality record, with an average delay of more than 21 minutes.
Scotsman
22-04-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Rachel Reeves to make case for free trade at IMF talks
Watch the business stories making the headlines today in under two minutes. Sign up to our Scotsman Money newsletter, covering all you need to know to help manage your money. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Chancellor to make case for free trade at IMF talks Rachel Reeves is in Washington this week for the International Monetary Fund's Spring Meetings. The annual get-together comes amid the most difficult global economic circumstances since the Covid pandemic. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The chancellor's expected to make the case for free trade, but says she won't be making a deal with the US at any cost. Hickory's to open 10 new sites each year Restaurant chain Hickory's has said it plans to open ten new sites each year - as part of ambitious expansion plans. The BBQ smokehouse brand was acquired by pub giant Greene King in 2022. Hickory's opened six new sites last year to expand to 26 locations. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Kitchenware retailer Lakeland has been acquired in a management buyout backed by investment firm Hilco. The management team, has completed a deal for the business that will enable Lakeland's family owners Sam, Martin and Julian Rayner to retire. Chief executive Catherine Nunn will continue to run the business, together with chief financial and operating officer Stephen Hill and chief commercial officer Neil Piggot. DCC Healthcare to be acquired by Investindustrial for £1.05bn A deal worth more than £1bn has been agreed for DCC Healthcare to be acquired by Investindustrial. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The disposal will allow DCC plc to focus on its energy business. The proposed transaction values DCC Healthcare at £1.05bn. Third of council staff lost in last decade Councils across England and Wales have lost almost a third of their staff over the past decade. A study by the GMB revealed that since 2012, almost 600,000 council jobs had gone. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Birmingham was the worst hit council, losing 27,000 workers, followed by Derbyshire and Staffordshire. Gatwick found to be UK's worst airport for flight delays Plane prepares to take off at Gatwick. | Glyn Kirk / AFP via Getty Images Gatwick has retained its position as the UK's worst airport for flight delays. Departures were an average of more than 23 minutes behind schedule last year.
Scottish Sun
21-04-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Popular US-style fast food chain that rivals McDonald's to open 10 new restaurants a YEAR in UK
LOVIN IT Popular US-style fast food chain that rivals McDonald's to open 10 new restaurants a YEAR in UK Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A POPULAR US-style smokehouse chain that's fast becoming a rival to McDonald's is planning to open 10 new restaurants a year across Britain. Hickory's Smokehouse, which already has a buzzing new branch in Milton Keynes, is firing up big plans to expand across the UK. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 The chain, founded in Chester in 2010, has been growing rapidly ever since pub giant Greene King bought it in 2022 Credit: PA 3 In 2024 alone, Hickory's opened six new restaurants, bringing the total to 26, and there's no sign of slowing down Credit: Getty The chain, founded in Chester in 2010, has been growing rapidly ever since pub giant Greene King bought it in 2022. Bosses say they see a 'huge opportunity' to open more sites, even with the rising costs and economic pressures hitting the hospitality sector. While many businesses are struggling, Hickory's says its sales have stayed 'strong' thanks to heavy investment and a focus on quality. In 2024 alone, Hickory's opened six new restaurants, bringing the total to 26, and there's no sign of slowing down. A £25million cash boost from Greene King has helped fuel the rapid expansion, with even more to come. Excited fans in Milton Keynes were quick to praise the newest opening, with one diner raving online: 'Wow, it's finally open and what a great location with free parking – the food was amazing!' Greene King and Hickory's plan to keep the pace up by opening 10 new restaurants every year until at least 2027. They hope to triple the size of the chain by 2030, including converting some existing Greene King pubs into smokehouses. John Welsh, managing director of Hickory's, said the company's focus on customer experience is keeping it strong even in a tough market. 'I don't think we've had a single year without big challenges,' he said. 'But we're seeing strong performance because we stay focused on giving customers a brilliant experience.' The expansion drive will see another £10million invested this year alone. This includes a £1million revamp of the original Hickory's in Chester, where it all began. Greene King CEO Nick Mackenzie said Hickory's was proving to be a winning formula. 'Hickory's is a fantastic brand and its success proves there's a real appetite for its smokehouse experience,' he said. 'At a time when the sector is under pressure, Hickory's shows how strong investment and brilliant guest service can deliver real growth.' He added: 'We're excited to build on this success and grow Hickory's into a truly national brand.'
