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EY has appointed Robert Pyle, Partner in EY-Parthenon’s Strategy team, as its new UK&I Restaurant Sector Leader.
Robert will lead EY’s work across the restaurant and out-of-home foodservice market, bringing together expertise from across the firm to help clients navigate industry change, drive growth and strengthen performance.
The UK restaurant industry continues to evolve at pace. While demand for dining out remains resilient, operators are balancing rising cost pressures, shifting consumer expectations, and the need for innovation in digital ordering, pricing and operational efficiency. The sector is forecast to maintain strong long-term momentum but requires coordinated strategic and operational support to realise this growth sustainably.
Robert, who joined EY in 2007, brings more than 20 years’ experience advising leading consumer, leisure and retail businesses, as well as investors in the sector. He has worked with management teams on strategy, growth and M&A, helping them respond to changing consumer behaviour, competitive dynamics and technological disruption. His experience spans the full spectrum of foodservice — from fine dining and casual dining to quick service restaurants (QSR), coffee shops and major industry suppliers.
In his new role, Robert will coordinate capabilities from across the firm, working closely with sector and functional leaders including Trevellyan Collier (Consulting), Andrew Taylor (Tax) and Chris Solomides (Assurance) to bring integrated support to clients across a breadth of key topics for the sector.
Michael Thompson, EY Global Deputy and UK&I Managing Partner, Consumer and Health Industries, said: “I am delighted that Robert is taking on this leadership role. The restaurant and wider foodservice sector is experiencing significant structural change, but there are also opportunities for those ready to innovate. Our UK&I Consumer & Health team have delivered market leading results and the addition of Robert’s leadership and deep sector knowledge, transaction experience and ability to help clients navigate disruptive market forces will be hugely valuable as operators and investors plan for their next phase of growth.”
Robert Pyle, EY-Parthenon Partner and UK&I Restaurant Sector Leader, added: “The UK restaurant sector remains one of the country’s most dynamic and economically important industries. Despite ongoing cost and competitive pressures, the appetite for eating out is strong, and brands are continuing to show remarkable resilience and creativity. I’m excited to work with EY colleagues across the business to support operators, suppliers and investors as they adapt to changing consumer expectations, embrace technology and build more connected, commercially robust and future ready businesses.”
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