Zizzi owner reports 7% increase in total sales

The Azzurri Group, the parent company of Zizzi, Ask Italian, Radio Alice and Coco di Mama, has reported an increase of 7% in total sales to £299.4m.

According to the groups financial reports for the 52 weeks to 30 June 2019, the group  experienced a 3% increase in EBITDA to £38.1m compared with £37m last year.

During the period, the group expanded its estate with a £20m investment, which included 29 refurbishments between the Ask Italian and Zizzi brand. 

The group acquired 13 London Pod branches with plans to rebrand the sites to Coco di Mama.

Azzurri Group reported a 69.6% change in loss before tax to £16.3m compared with £23.4m in the same period last year.

Chairman Harvey Smyth said: “The Azzurri Group has built on last year’s momentum and continued to trade well in the face of a challenging backdrop for the UK restaurant sector.

“Cost pressures remain an ongoing challenge for the Group, as they do for the wider sector. In the past year, we have continued to trade well through these challenges implementing a robust yet thoughtful approach to increased operational efficiencies. As a result, the Group delivered year-on-year improvements in food and labour margins, which was very pleasing to see.”

He added: “ The growth seen across all four brands means that we have good momentum heading into next year and remain confident that  the business is well placed to navigate the challenges facing the sector as well as maximising opportunities which will undoubtedly arise.”

The Azzurri Group currently employees over 6,000 staff and operates 311 restaurants in the UK.