Latest news with #KurtZdesar
Daily Mail
08-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Popular restaurant shuts all locations after 20 years on the high street
Popular dim sum restaurant Ping Pong has permanently closed its remaining restaurants, bringing an end to 20 years in operation. Ping Pong was launched in 2005 and once boasted 12 locations across London, including popular areas like Southbank, Soho, St. Christopher's Place and St. Paul's. But Ping Pong has now announced its remaining restaurants have permanently ceased trading, with its founder saying it was 'difficult to survive' under current economic conditions. An automated message on the company's website reads: 'After 20 amazing years, Ping Pong is closing its doors. 'Thank you for all the memories, the laughs, and the love. 'It's been a truly delicious journey'. The restaurant's founder Kurt Zdesar, who left the group in 2007 and went on to launch the Chotto Matte chain, told Time Out: 'The UK has become increasingly difficult to survive this current economical environment. Very sad news.' Companies House records show holding company Ping Pong Ltd had administrators appointed in November 2022, just two months after the group had reported a £344,000 pre-tax profit for the 12 months to 27 March of that year. Ping Pong was sold to AJT Dimsum as part of the 'pre-pack' administration process, with its six restaurants and staff to transferred to the new owner. At the time, Ping Pong said it the pandemic had left it with crippling debts owed to landlords it would not be able to pay despite returning to a profit. The administration has seen two 12-month extensions to be completed and administrators at Begbies Traynor said in June a further extension 'may be required'.
Time Out
07-07-2025
- Business
- Time Out
London Chinese restaurant chain Ping Pong has shut all its branches with immediate effect
After 20 years, dim sum chain Ping Pong is no more. The Chinese restaurant group – which once had 12 locations across London – opened in 2005. The company announced news of its closure over instagram, writing: 'It's a wrap. After 20 unforgettable years, all Ping Pong locations are now permanently closed. We're incredibly proud of what we built, an independent hospitality brand full of creativity, flavour, and soul.' Ping Pong fans were aghast at the closure, expressing their deep sorrow at the post. 'Noooooo. You were the best dim sum. Where am I going to get the veggie buns and sticky rice from?!', wrote one. 'This is incredibly sad news! Wish we'd have known. Would've loved to visit it one last time,' said another. The restaurant's founder Kurt Zdesar, who left the group in 2007 and went on to launch the Chotto Matte chain, commented: 'The UK has become increasingly difficult to survive this current economical environment. Very sad news.' At the time of its closure, there were four London branches of Ping Pong left; in Soho, Southbank, Bow Bells House and St Christopher's Place.
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Beloved Restaurant Chain Abruptly Closes All Locations: 'It's a Wrap'
A beloved dim sum restaurant chain has closed all locations. The chain was well-liked in the United Kingdom. The Ping Pong restaurant chain announced the news on its Instagram page on July 2. "It's a wrap, 🥟" the post says. "After 20 unforgettable years, all Ping Pong locations are now permanently closed. We're incredibly proud of what we built, an independent hospitality brand full of creativity, flavour, and soul.""To everyone who joined us over the years, for dim sum dates, happy hours, bottomless brunches, and just-because catch-ups — thank you," the company added. "You shared your moments with us, passed around little parcels of deliciousness, and helped make Ping Pong what it was." The post concluded: "To our collaborators, suppliers, and the incredible team who kept the steam going, thank you. It's been sum-thing truly special." People expressed disappointment on the Instagram comment thread. "Omgggggggggg nooooooooooo!!!!!!!! If I knew I'd have made one last trip. So sad," wrote one person. "This is incredibly sad news! Wish we'd have known. Would've loved to visit it one last time 😢," wrote another person. "Ah this is gutting! So sorry to hear of this. I loved having options as someone who is both gluten free and dairy free. I wish you all the best in the future 💔😢🫶," another wrote. The chain was "founded in 2005 by restaurateur Kurt Zdesar," Birmingham Live reported. That publication labeled the closure "sudden" and the chain "major" and a "high street staple." The chain had four locations in London, including one in Soho. According to Metro UK, the chain once had 20 locations but was hit hard by the pandemic. Metro's Patrycja Zaras said in that publication's article: 'I'm genuinely heartbroken, I absolutely loved this place. I used to take all my friends and family there and over time it became the backdrop for so many memories. Ever since a colleague casually introduced me to it on a lunch break, I kept coming back."Beloved Restaurant Chain Abruptly Closes All Locations: 'It's a Wrap' first appeared on Men's Journal on Jul 5, 2025
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Major UK restaurant chain confirms sudden closure of all UK branches
Chinese dim sum restaurant Ping Pong has confirmed it will close all its locations in the UK in a sad update on social media. Founded in 2005 by restaurateur Kurt Zdesar, said they are "incredible proud" of the restaurant's impact and the reception it received from customers. On Instagram, the chain confirmed all its restaurants have now been shut down, saying: "It's a wrap. After 20 unforgettable years, all Ping Pong locations are now permanently closed. Read more: Black Sabbath live as crowds of fans queue at city landmark ahead of Villa Park gig 'We're incredibly proud of what we built, an independent hospitality brand full of creativity, flavour and soul. "To everyone who joined us over the years, for dim sum dates, happy hours, bottomless brunches, and just-because catch-ups – thank you. 'You shared your moments with us, passed around little parcels of deliciousness, and helped make Ping Pong what it was. "To our collaborators, suppliers, and the incredible team who kept the steam going, thank you. It's been sum-thing truly special.' Loyal customers of the chain took to the comments, each sharing their thoughts on the devastating news. One wrote: "Noooo, we've made some amazing memories there, birthdays, anniversaries , you name it. The food was always so amazing" Another commented: "This is very very sad. Will be sorely missed." A third said: "WHAT?? WE HAD NO CHANCE TO SAY GOODBYE! NO WARNING." A fourth posted: "We had so many good times there. The food and the lychee cocktails will be sorely missed." While nother added: "Omgggggggggg nooooooooooo!!!!!!!! If I knew I'd have made one last trip. So sad." Join our dedicated BirminghamLive WhatsApp community for the latest updates sent straight to your phone as they happen. You can also sign up to our Money Saving Newsletter which is sent out daily via email with all the updates you need to know on the cost of living, including DWP and HMRC changes, benefits, payments, banks, bills and shopping discounts. Get the top stories in your inbox to browse through at a time that suits you.
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Dim sum chain Ping Pong ceases operations after 20 years
London-based dim sum chain Ping Pong has permanently ended operations after 20 years in the restaurant market. The company confirmed the closure of its last four locations in Soho, Southbank, Bow Bells House and St Christopher's Place — through social media. In a message posted on Instagram, the company wrote: 'After 20 unforgettable years, all Ping Pong locations are now permanently closed. 'We're incredibly proud of what we built, an independent hospitality brand full of creativity, flavour and soul.' Founded in 2005 by restaurateur Kurt Zdesar with investment from Igor Sagiryan, Ping Pong rapidly gained traction, growing to 13 outlets within four years. Caterer Licensee Hotelier reported that the chain was known for its diverse dim sum menu, featuring more 40 types, steamed, fried, and baked with options for meat, seafood and vegetarian preferences. The business underwent significant shifts after Zdesar's exit in 2007, prompting the closure of less profitable sites. Recent years brought considerable difficulties, with the company burdened by debts incurred during the Covid-19 pandemic and ongoing rental commitments. For the year ending March 2020, the group booked a £1.4m loss, which widened to £1.86m in the subsequent year. Despite a temporary rebound with a £334,000 profit in the year to March 2022, long-term sustainability remained elusive. By late 2022, Ping Pong had downsized to six London venues and a central kitchen, employing 255 people, a sharp decline from its peak of 13 sites. "Dim sum chain Ping Pong ceases operations after 20 years" was originally created and published by Verdict Food Service, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
