| OK Diners Limited | |
| Industry: | Roadside restaurant chain |
| Foundation: | February 1995 |
| Founder: | City Centre Restaurants |
| Owner: | Lawrie & Daughters Limited |
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 October 2024, the chain has nine restaurants, and is owned by Lawrie & Daughters Limited, a real estate business.[3]
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.[4]
In September 2001, City Centre Restaurants sold OK Diner to managers Ian Hendry and Dafydd Poole in order to focus on other business interests.[5] [6]
In January 2004, OK Diner opened in a former Little Chef in Grantham, Lincolnshire.[7] In the following year, it acquired another former Little Chef in Egginton, Derbyshire.[8]
In July 2014, Dafydd Poole (now known as Dafydd Lawrie) bought out Ian Hendry's stake in the business.[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]
As of October 2024, the chain has nine restaurants.[11]