January 2023

Currently all UK poultry farmers are required by the government to keep free-range birds temporarily indoors as a precaution against avian influenza.

This housing order aims to stop the spread of avian flu by keeping farmed birds away from wild birds & affects all the UK market including retailers, food service operators & producers.

This means that the free-range eggs used on the Wimpy menu are currently being laid by hens that are temporarily housed in barns. This extends to the eggs used in Wimpy own-label ingredients, as well as the whole shell eggs used in Wimpy meals.

Wimpy is committed to only using free-range eggs in its meals and own-label ingredients, and has been assured that free-range hens will be allowed outside again as soon as it is safe.

Wimpy Barnstaple reopened its doors in January following a major makeover and refurbishment programme which saw the introduction of Wimpy’s new SHIFT design, with bright colours, new seating, energy efficient lighting and Wimpy artwork on the walls of the two-storey listed building.

The 100-seater restaurant is a popular landmark in the town and franchisee Rob Malek says: “In making this investment, we are showing our confidence and commitment both to Barnstaple High Street, loyal staff and the Wimpy brand.

“We’ve installed new red and grey booth seating on the ground floor, which makes a big impression as you walk in; we’ve added new TV screens, the walls and ceilings have been painted or tiled and there’s bright new lighting.

“The building is 300-years-old and we’ve worked really hard to ensure we make best use of some of its original features while also giving it an exciting new look and we’re thrilled with the results – we can’t wait for customers to come and see it for themselves.”

The restaurant has been an ongoing success story through the years and has been part of Barnstaple’s history ever since it first opened over 50 years ago – back in 1969.

Wimpy Eastbourne opened its doors in October following further investment in the brand by multi-site franchisee Charlie Bhangal.

The return to Eastbourne after a break of six years has also brought around 30 new jobs to the town.

Situated in The Beacon Shopping Centre, the opening of the brand-new 100+ seater restaurant has marked the culmination of a long-held ambition for Charlie, who already owns Wimpys in Worthing and Basingstoke.

Charlie is at the helm of Wimpy Eastbourne alongside his newly promoted area manager Nick Egan, who is providing support and training for the new Eastbourne team.

Wimpy has returned to Tonbridge this summer after a break of more than 40 years, bringing 15 new jobs and its smart new look to the town.

Wimpy’s 60-seater restaurant on Tonbridge High Street marks a first venture into Kent for well-known Wimpy franchisee and entrepreneur Bhopinder Gill, who already owns two Wimpy restaurants in Essex, and whose family has been part of the Wimpy team for generations.

The latest venture brings the number of Wimpys in Kent to 10, giving the county the second highest number of Wimpy restaurants in the country, just behind Essex.

Wimpy Tonbridge is just a few doors along from one of the original two Wimpys situated in the town, one further down the high street and the second in Grosvenor Road. They both opened in 1965 but closed their doors for the last time in the early 1980s. 

Customers at Wimpy Ashford, Middlesex, were in for a surprise when they stepped through the doors this week to see a new-look interior following a major makeover during lockdown. 

Wimpy Ashford now boasts a bright and modern atmosphere, with new booth-style seating, bright colours and artwork on the walls.

 The Church Road restaurant first opened in 2013 and now has indoor seating for up to 77 diners, as well as catering for takeaway and delivery customers.

Excited staff at Wimpy Beckenham were finally able to welcome customers through the doors to show off the restaurant’s spacious new look, including a variety of comfy seating areas, USB charging points at the tables, bright colours and artwork on the walls. 

With 70 covers, the restaurant returns to its usual seven-day-a-week opening

A major refurbishment programme has been completed for two Wimpy restaurants in Colchester, and King's Lynn in Norfolk.

The move underlines franchisee Raj Bhangal’s faith and commitment to the much-loved Wimpy brand, especially at such a difficult time for the hospitality industry.

“The last few months have certainly been challenging,” said Raj. “We felt this was exactly the right time to take advantage of a quieter period to carry out the refurbishment work, so we can be ready as diners return to the high street. Investing in the new branding is really exciting for us and we can’t wait to show it off.

Both restaurants have seen the introduction of Wimpy UK’s new SHIFT Design, building on the brand’s strong heritage and much-loved traditions.

Wimpy UK has launched its first ever staff reward scheme, recognising the achievements of staff employed across its restaurants nationwide.

Wimpy Icons rewards special success in four categories: Ability & Skill; Behaviour & Attitude; Customer Care; and Moments That Matter. 

Each month Wimpy employees, from kitchen staff to front-of-house, will be eligible to be nominated for an award by their manager. If they win, they will be given a unique pin badge to wear which reflects their success, as well as a £50 voucher of their choosing.

Wimpy General Manager, Chris Woolfenden, said: “We are excited to launch a scheme that allows all restaurant staff the opportunity to be rewarded by the Wimpy brand and literally wear their achievements with pride."

Wimpy UK has adopted the European Chicken Commitment (ECC). This decision builds on its stated commitment to recognise the importance of higher welfare standards for chickens and also underlines its desire to source food sustainably.  

By signing up to the ECC Wimpy commit to exclusively sourcing 100% of its chicken from suppliers who meet or exceed the standards set out in the ECC by 2026.

All chicken products currently on the Wimpy menu are sourced from an approved, reputable supplier and meet current EU animal welfare laws and regulations.

This move further underlines its commitment to animal welfare and follows its decision in January 2018 to only use free range eggs for all our own label products on the menu.

All own label Wimpy products and all shell eggs supplied through the Wimpy distribution channel are now free range.  

Wimpy further committed to switching to cage-free alternatives on the remaining small number of non-own label products that contain egg ingredients on its menu. This will be in place by 2025 at the latest but continues to work closely with its third party suppliers in order to achieve this change at the earliest opportunity.

Sauce lovers are in for a treat as Wimpy launches its iconic own-brand Wimpy Special Sauce and Wimpy Tomato Ketchup onto the retail market for the first time. The 500ml bottles are now available to buy in the majority of Wimpy restaurants.

Wimpy General Manager, Chris Woolfenden, said: “Our Special Sauce and Ketchup have added the proverbial ‘icing on the cake’ to our breakfasts, burgers and grills for decades. Customers are always asking why they can’t buy a bottle and we finally decided it was time offer them as an early Christmas treat.

Launched in 1981 with a secret recipe, over 25,000 litres of Wimpy Special Sauce are used in the UK’s casual dining chain restaurants every year, while Wimpy Tomato Ketchup has been a true family favourite since day one, with more than 35,000 litres used in Wimpy’s UK restaurants every year.