All The Big Table Group articles
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Interviews
Frankie & Benny’s sales ‘much higher’ than wider market
Big Table Group is trialling a refreshed proposition at three sites and conversions to Bella Italia at a further two after discovering the Italian American brand is still making “massive average weekly sales”, CEO Alan Morgan tells MCA
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News
Big Table Group sees turnover surpass £223m
The operator of Las Iguanas, Bella Italia, Banana Tree, and Café Rouge has identified material growth opportunities for the 75 sites it acquired from The Restaurant Group last year, along with testing several conversions
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News
New operations director at Bella Italia
The Big Table Group has appointed Andy Felton, who joins from PizzaExpress, as operations director for Bella Italia
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News
Openings of the week
MCA rounds up the week’s biggest openings stories, including McDonald’s, Slim Chickens, Banana Tree, Taco Bell, and more
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News
Anne Chow to step down as Banana Tree MD
She is stepping down after a “whirlwind 18 months” since the brand’s acquisitoin by Big Table Group, and will be replaced by Kate Wilton, formerly of Stonegate, Spirit and Whitbread
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News
Larger chains report rebound this festive season
Smaller operators are braced for a difficult new year while bigger chains, such as Rare Restaurants and Hawksmoor, have seen bookings up by as much as 30%
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Interviews
Banana Tree: ‘There’s potential to grow the brand significantly’
The Big Table Group brand is on track to double its estate in less than a year and is exploring expansion outside the Southeast, MD Anne Chow tells MCA
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News
Big Table appoints Leisure MD
Debbie Husband most recently held the position of managing director at the Rank Group, and before that spent 15 years at Travelodge
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News
Big Table Group appoints head of concept development
Johanna Selin, previously of M&S, Wagamama, and Pret, has been appointed to the role as the group takes on TRG’s Leisure brands
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Analysis & Insight
Big Table takes on ‘substantial risk’ with TRG Leisure estate
Following the payment of a £7.5m ‘dowry’ to take on The Restaurant Group’s Leisure business, MCA explores the challenges facing The Big Table Group as it’s tasked with turning around the loss-making estate
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Analysis & Insight
TRG’s leisure disposal ‘removes poison pill’
The Restaurant Group’s offloading of its leisure business was hailed for its “strong strategic rationale”, while the sites “may do better” under The Big Table Group, according to analysts
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Interviews
Big Table to drive ‘strong improvements and synergies’ with Leisure acquisition
The group will find savings in the supply chain, overheads, and culture in its newly acquired business, CEO Alan Morgan tells MCA
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News
TRG announces sale of Leisure business to Big Table Group
The Big Table Group will take over the division, principally consisting of the Frankie & Benny’s and Chiquito brands, in a deal expected to complete in October - with TRG paying a cash contribution of £7.5m as part of the transaction
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News
Las Iguanas MD appointed
The Big Table Group has appointed Lisa Gibbons to the position following a review of internal and external candidates
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Interviews
Big Table Group: ‘We’re the best capitalised restaurant group in the UK’
CEO Alan Morgan tells MCA about plans to invest in new sites, roll out Super Nonna and explore conversions for Banana Tree
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News
Big Table reports improved sales and profits
The Las Iguanas and Banana Tree operator posted EBITDA of £12.9m for FY22, showing it as a “resilient, efficient” business
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News
Big Table appoints new Bella Italia MD
John Baker will join as managing director of the Italian restaurant brand on 14 November, with Bella Italia having also appointed a new marketing director
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Interviews
Big Table explores Banana Tree conversions
Banana Tree MD Anne Chow tells MCA its new backer will also give it better access to new site opportunities
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News
Las Iguanas pilots service robots
Following a recent trial at Bella Italia, The Big Table Group will begin piloting service robots at two Las Iguanas restaurants to improve the customer experience
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News
Big Table acquires Banana Tree
The group has acquired the nine-strong pan-Asian chain Banana Tree for an undisclosed sum, with Anne Chow to lead Banana Tree as managing director