A number of Frankie and Benny's and Chiquito restaurants in Kent could be at risk of closing.

Eight Frankie and Benny's and three Chiquitos in the county are included within the 350 outlets which could shut.

The Restaurant Group, which also owns Wagamama, has announced it plans to close between 75 and 90 outlets in the next two years.

This is due to reduced footfall in the restaurants. The group also said its leisure business, which includes Frankie and Benny's and Chiquito, saw a fall of 2.8% in like-for-like sales last year.

However, between seven and 12 of the outlets could be converted into Wagamamas.

Staff at the branches will, in most instances, be offered alternative positions at other restaurants owned by the group "within a reasonable travelling distance".

Initially, it planned to make the closures over a six-year period, but this has now been brought forward to the end of 2021.

The restaurants in Kent which could be at risk are:

Frankie and Benny's: Maidstone, Rochester, Gillingham, Tunbridge Wells, Ashford, Broadstairs, Orpington and Bexleyheath

Chiquito: Broadstairs, Rochester and Ashford

A spokesman for the Restaurant Group said: "We can't yet give details on the specific outlets which are at risk as this will be conditional on a number of things including negotiations with landlords. We will be updating on the plans for specific locations as soon as we can.

"The retail scene is seeing rapid changes which means certain restaurants are not getting as much footfall and aren't as viable to run any more.

"The closures relate solely to the Group’s Leisure division which consist of its Frankie and Benny’s and Chiquito brands.

"However, our other brands, including Wagamama, are in a strong position and are doing reasonably well with the consumer."

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