OK Diners Limited (trading as OK Diner) is a British chain of roadside restaurants founded in February 1995 by City Centre Restaurants. The chain has a retro American diner theme with 1950s music, chequerboard flooring, booth seating, chrome details and memorabilia on display.[1][2]
As of April 2026, the chain has eight restaurants, and is owned by Lawrie & Daughters Limited, a real estate business.
History
In February 1995, OK Diner was created by John Roebuck and Tony Horsfall to be part of City Centre Restaurants, who also owned the Frankie & Benny's and Chiquito brands at the time.[3]
In September 2001, City Centre Restaurants sold OK Diner to managers Ian Hendry and Dafydd Poole in order to focus on other business interests.[4][5]
In January 2004, OK Diner opened in a former Little Chef in Grantham, Lincolnshire.[6] In the following year, it acquired another former Little Chef in Egginton, Derbyshire.[7]
In July 2014, Dafydd Poole (now known as Dafydd Lawrie) bought out Ian Hendry's stake in the business.[8]
In January 2024, the Leominster branch was used as a filming location for an episode of Doctor Who.[9]
In July 2024, OK Diner faced criticism at its Northop Hall restaurant for issuing parking fines to diners. Dafydd Lawrie explained that the restrictions were necessary due to the parking area being misused by visitors accessing nearby services. He added that diners who had contacted their head offices had their fines canceled.[10]
In May 2025, the Leominster branch announced it would celebrate its 30th anniversary with a discount special throughout June.[11]
In April 2026, its Elwick restaurant closed down due to the lease expiring and not being renewed by the landlord.[12]
Current locations
As of April 2026, the chain has eight restaurants.[13]
- A1 Northbound – Carlton-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire
- A1 Southbound – New Fox, Colsterworth, Lincolnshire
- A1 Northbound – Tickencote, Rutland
- A5 – Cannock, Staffordshire
- A38 Southbound – Egginton, Derbyshire
- A49 – Leominster, Herefordshire
- A55 Gateway Services – Northop Hall, Flintshire
- Mile End Roundabout, Oswestry, Shropshire
See also
External links
References
- OK Diner Evening Gazette, Gazette Media Company Limited, 2 May 2008, retrieved 6 February 2009^
- Gareth Bicknell. It's OK by name... and OK by nature Daily Post (Liverpool, England), MGN Ltd, 28 May 2005, retrieved 6 February 2009^
- OK diner attacks roadside market Caterersearch, Reed Business Information, 26 July 2001, retrieved 6 February 2009^
- Outsourcing is no longer a dirty word raconteur.net, 10 December 2015, retrieved 19 February 2021^
- Cafe group steps up sale programme BBC News, 28 March 2001, retrieved 6 February 2009^
- South Kesteven District Council. S03/1349 southkesteven.gov.uk, 13 October 2003, retrieved 28 October 2024^
- The bizarre tea bag policy at this American roadside diner near Derby Derbyshire Live, 2018-03-10, retrieved 2024-10-28^
- Companies House. O K Diners Limited Companies House, 3 September 2014, retrieved 28 October 2024^
- Doctor Who fans flock to Leominster after Ncuti Gatwa sighting BBC News, 2024-01-25, retrieved 2025-08-31^
- Owen Hughes, Lucy John. Diner in row over '£265 breakfast' explains why it had to act Wales Online, 2024-07-28, retrieved 2024-10-28^
- American-style diner celebrates 30 years with discount offer Hereford Times, 2025-05-27, retrieved 2025-08-31^
- Roadside American diner on A19 announces closure after more than 20 years The Northern Echo, 2026-02-16, retrieved 2026-04-08^
- Where we are OK Diner, retrieved 2 September 2011^