London & Edinburgh Inns has gone into administration.
A statement from administrators Ernst&Young said the company had "for some time struggled in the face of increasing heavy losses."
We are continuing to trade the various companies on a "business as usual" basisAdministrator, Angela Swarbrick.
The statement continued: "The directors of the group have considered various avenues and concluded that a restructuring through an insolvency process provided the best option for the business."
L&E operates 671 sites and has approximately 7,300 employees.
Administrator, Angela Swarbrick, said: "We are continuing to trade the various companies on a "business as usual" basis while we explore the possibility of a sale of the businesses and their assets as going concerns."
The statement said Ernst & Young had been appointed to oversee the administration of the following businesses:
London and Edinburgh Swallow Group LimitedSwallow Hotels LimitedLondon and Edinburgh Inns LimitedNewlord LimitedReact Inns LimitedThe Gourmet Pub Company Limited