General · 18 January 2026
Big Restaurant Chains Accused of Posing as Independent Businesses
Independent restaurants are accusing large chains of creating virtual brands on delivery apps like Deliveroo, Just Eat, and Uber Eats to appear as smaller, independent businesses. Chains such as Pizza Hut, TGI Fridays, Frankie & Benny's, Las Iguanas, and Barburrito are allegedly using different names to gain an unfair advantage. Justina John, owner of ONJA, Taste of Tanzania in Cardiff, describes this practice as “sneaky” and difficult for independent restaurants to compete with. Delivery platforms state that virtual brands are available to all businesses.
Reported by BBC · How we write briefs