Almost 2,000 jobs will be lost after the owner Bella Italia, Cafe Rouge and Las Iguanas called in the administrators.
Casual Dining Group said it would close 91 of its 250 restaurants, but has saved others for now.
The move leaves around 4,050 workers at the company’s sites across the UK, with the company’s board saying that entering administration was in the best interest of stakeholders during the “extreme operating environment” it is having to trade through.
It is hoped that the firm can find a new owner, but it said that the administration would allow it to end negotiations with landlords, a “critical step” before finding a buyer.
Chief executive James Spragg said: “After reviewing all our options with advisers, it became clear that we needed to take this action in order to protect the business and secure the best possible future for Casual Dining Group as we look to conclude a potential sale.
“We are acutely aware of our duty to all employees and recognise that this is an incredibly difficult time for them. Working alongside the administrators we will do everything we can to support them through this process with a view to preserving as much employment as we are able to.”
Administrator Clare Kennedy, from Alix Partners, said: “We appreciate that this is an extremely difficult time for all those associated with Casual Dining Group.
“Our immediate priorities are to assist those whose employment has been affected by today’s announcement and to secure a sale for the group in order to protect jobs and provide the Group’s much-loved brands with a sustainable platform for the future.”
As well as Bella Italia, Las Iguanas and Cafe Rouge, Casual Dining Group has the Belgo, Huxleys and Oriel Grand Brasserie brands, and operated a number of airport cafes and restaurants.
Here's the list in full of all the restaurants set to close:
Airports
Cafe Rouge Rapide Inverness Airport
- Bristol Airport
- The George Ale and Coffee House at Heathrow Terminal 5
- The Darwin Ale and Coffee House at Heathrow Terminal 3
- Jersey Airport
- Oriel Luton
- Oriel Heathrow Terminal 4
- La Salle Heathrow Terminal 2
- Bella Italia Luton
- Oriel Heathrow Terminal 3
- Huxleys Heathrow Terminal 5
- The Shipyard Jersey
- Belgo
- Belgo Kingsway
- Belgo Nottingham
- Belgo Central
- Bella Italia
- Newbury
- East Kilbride
- Baker Street
- Cambridge
- Cheltenham Prom
- Southampton Above Bar
- Blackpool Church
- Watford
- Plymouth
- Dunfermline
- Islington
- Gloucester Quays
- Hatfield
- Southend
- Didsbury
- Solihull
- Brighton Belotta
- Windsor
- Manchester Deans
- Camberley Atrium
- Aberdeen
- Loughborough
- Crewe
- Colliers Wood
- Brighton Marina
- Cardiff
- Shaftesbury Avenue
- Hemel Hempstead
- Leeds
- Silverlink
- Bexley
- New Brighton
- Orpington
- Manchester Piccadilly
- Cafe Rouge
- Bury St Edmonds
- Newbury
- Maidstone Earl Street
- Solihull
- Pinner
- Blackheath
- Harborne Birmingham
- Leamington Spa
- York
- Dulwich
- Epsom
- Birmingham Mailbox
- Woking
- Hitchin
- Oxford
- Leicester
- Chester
- Cheltenham
- Loughton
- Chelmsford
- Cambridge
- Edinburgh
- Southgate
- Esher
- Bromley
- Salisbury
- Canterbury Long
- Trafford Centre
- Exeter Princesshay
- Hertford
- Milton Keynes
- Las Iguanas
- Harrogate
- Brighton Marina
- Derby
- Sheffield
- Woking
- Chester
- Brunswick Square
- Braintree
- Bournemouth
- Norwich
- Newcastle
