US restaurant chain coming to the West Midlands

MAJOR US family restaurant chain Denny’s has announced plans to expand into the UK market and create thousands of new jobs.

The company’s initial targets are for 30 franchised outlets in  Manchester, and a similar number in the West Midlands, but it is planning to have restaurants opening across the country within two years.

Denny’s has a $2.25bn turnover from 1550 outlets worldwide, 90% of which are franchised, and is hugely popular with British tourists visiting the US.

The firm pointed to changes in taxation announced in the Government’s emergency Budget and growing business confidence as its reasons for choosing the UK.

Steve Dunn, Denny’s executive in charge of development, said: “Our brand is probably just as well known by English families as it is in Florida and California, as they make up one of the largest groups of diners that we see in Disney World.

“Our UK fan base is huge as evidenced by the large number of really positive comments we get at our Disney World outlets in the US.

“Following the recent Emergency Budget and the lowering of corporation tax, we see a bright future in the UK.

“This is a big incentive for our new franchisees, who will enjoy one of the best known restaurant brands in the world – a brand which is a long-term success story worldwide and now a corporation tax rate in the UK that will encourage expansion.”

Turnover in Denny’s US restaurants averages $1.7bn every year.