Bella Italia
Business intelligence and news coverage focused on the operations, leadership decisions, brand strategy, and performance of one of the UK’s most prominent casual dining chains. From menu innovation and customer experience initiatives to estate changes, financial updates, and group-wide strategy under TRG ownership, this section delivers reporting that matters to restaurant operators, executives, and hospitality professionals tracking movements within the branded Italian dining space.
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Oct- 2023 -26 OctoberRestaurants
TRG confirms takeover counterbid from Pizza Express owner
The Restaurant Group has confirmed this morning (26 October) that it has received a request from Wheel Topco, the owner of Pizza Express, to evaluate a possible takeover offer for the company. However, TRG said that no written or verbal indicative proposal relating to a possible offer – including as…
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Sep- 2023 -28 SeptemberNews
Today’s news in brief – 28/09/23
The former COO of Greene King, Richard Lewis, is set to become the new CEO of RedCat Pub Company, succeeding Phil Birbeck starting from 2 October. Lewis, with extensive experience in the retail and pub sectors, joined Greene King in 2011 and became COO in 2017. Prior to that, he…
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28 SeptemberNews
Big Table Group appoints new MD of Leisure Division
Big Table Group has announced the appointment of Debbie Husband as managing director for the Leisure Division that was recently acquired from The Restaurant Group (TRG). Husband will join The Big Table Group in October. She most recently held the position of managing director at the Rank Group PLC, having…
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Jul- 2023 -27 JulyPeople
Big Table Group appoints Las Iguanas managing director
The Big Table Group has announced the appointment of Lisa Gibbons as the new managing director of Las Iguanas effective from 31 July, following a review of internal and external candidates. Gibbons takes up her new role with over 20 years of experience in hospitality, having started her career in…
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13 JulyRestaurants
Big Table Group sales hit £206.2m in FY22
Big Table Group revealed that full sales reached £206.2m in the 12 months to 30 October 2022, an increase from £142.1m in the previous year, despite Covid restrictions, energy and food price inflation, and the end of business rates concessions. The group, which operates Las Iguanas, Bella Italia, Café Rouge,…
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May- 2023 -18 MayNews
Social Pantry appoints new non-executive chairman
Social Pantry, a leading sustainable events and workplace caterer, has recently announced the appointment of James Spragg as new non-executive chairman. Spragg will work closely with CEO and founder, Alex Head, to accelerate the growth of the business, whilst maintaining its core values across sustainability and ex-offender hiring. He joins…
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Oct- 2022 -12 OctoberRestaurants
Las Iguanas trials service robots in two locations
Las Iguanas, the Latin American-inspired chain restaurant, has reportedly introduced six new service robots at its restaurants in Center Parcs Elveden Forest and in Cambridge through a trial partnership with Soft Bank Robotics. It is reported that the robots will support team members with everyday tasks such as delivering food…
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Sep- 2022 -29 SeptemberBusiness
Big Table Group acquires Banana Tree
The Big Table Group, operator of Las Iguanas, Bella Italia and Café Rouge, has acquired the fast-casual Pan-Asian restaurant chain, Banana Tree, adding a new cuisine flavour to its family of restaurant brands. The group said Banana Tree is famous for its authentic, exotic and street-food inspired dishes, with flavours…
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Jul- 2022 -1 JulyRestaurants
Big Table Group to open two new Las Iguanas sites
The Big Table Group, the operator of Las Iguanas, Bella Italia and Café Rouge, has announced the launch of two new Las Iguanas restaurants at Center Parcs, taking its total number of restaurants at Center Parcs’ five UK holiday villages to 14. It will open in Center Parcs Elveden Forest…
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Jun- 2022 -10 JuneRestaurants
Big Table Group to trail robotic waiter technology
Big Table Group, the operator of Las Iguanas, Bella Italia and Café Rouge, has announced it is piloting a partnership with Pudu Robotics to introduce robot technology into its establishments. The retrieving robots, named ‘BellaBot’ are currently being trialled at the Bella Italia in Centre Parcs Whinfell Forest. Designed to…
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