Restaurants were destined for ruin before Covid, claims pizza boss

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Restaurants were destined for ruin before Covid crisis, claims Franco Manca pizza boss

By Daily Mail City & Finance Reporter

Published: | Updated:

The owner of a popular pizza chain has slammed rivals, claiming many were destined for ruin long before the Covid pandemic swept through Britain.

Social distancing measures and lockdowns have devastated the hospitality sector. 

But Fulham Shore, the owner of Franco Manca and The Real Greek, said many of the businesses that are battling to survive were artificially propped up by debt and likely to go under anyway.

Fulham Shore, the owner of Franco Manca and The Real Greek, said many of the businesses that are battling to survive were artificially propped up by debt and likely to go under anyway

In an off-beat reference to a legendary US Olympic gold-winning swimmer of the 1970s, Fulham Shore chairman David Page said: ‘There were too many restaurant businesses with owners and managers convinced they could swim like Mark Spitz, but which were actually being kept afloat by some badly made rubber rings and various leaky flotation devices. 

‘We believe that the restaurant market in the UK was heading for a correction well before the outbreak.’

Casualties of the virus include Pizza Express, Pizza Hut and Zizzi – all of which sell Italian-style food. 

But Fulham Shore said it is well positioned to adapt to further tightening of restrictions.

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