Big Table Group halves FY losses following job cuts

The Big Table Group, owner of Cafe Rouge and Bella Italia, has seen losses before tax narrow by 68%, from £13.8m to £4.4m in its full-year results, following a decision to cut 700 jobs and streamline operations.  

In the year ended 27 October 2024, Big Table Group’s brands saw full sales rise 3.2% to £32.6m. The group attributed its gross margin improvement to a combination of cost of sales and cost of labour. 

According to the group’s filings at Companies House, profitability widened, having banked £16.1m after materials and staffing costs. This lifted its gross margin to 49.4%, up from 44.3% the previous year.

In addition, Big Table reported a strong 77% increase in adjusted trading EBITDA, rising to £3.9m from £2.2m last year, despite ongoing trading headwinds. Management expressed confidence that improved sales-to-EBITDA conversion will drive further progress in the year ahead.

Big Table Group also saw stronger trading over the 2023 festive season compared to the previous year, with other growth spikes throughout the period. 

In its latest filings, the group said: “The cost of living continues to impact consumer confidence and spend. The directors anticipate that 2025 will remain challenging for the sector with signs of improvement from mid-2025. Continued focus on the guest and the guest experience will be important, whilst ensuring that the economic model supports both profit and cash generation.”

In a symbolic £1 takeover last autumn, Big Table Group snapped up The Restaurant Group’s 74 Frankie and Benny’s and Chiquito outlets. Completed on 30 October 2023, the deal saw TRG get rebranded as BTG Leisure the very next day and come with a £7.5m cash top-up from the seller to fund the newly renamed business.