Restaurant Group sees cost pressure this year

(Reuters) - Britain's Restaurant Group , the owner of the Frankie & Benny's chain, said it expects rising costs in 2017 due to a hike in Britain's minimum wage as it reported a 3.9 percent fall in like-for-like sales for the 53 weeks ended Jan. 1. Britain's finance minister in November raised the minimum wage to 7.50 pounds from 7.20 pounds, taking the edge off a benefits squeeze for low earners. Restaurant Group, which operates more than 500 restaurants and pubs in the UK, said it sees cost