Big Table Group
Coverage of strategy, leadership, and brand performance across one of the UK’s largest casual dining operators. This section reports on estate planning, menu direction, franchising activity, and F&B development across its portfolio of restaurant brands. Designed for hospitality executives, operators, and foodservice professionals, it offers insight into how a multi-brand group navigates competitive pressures, evolving consumer expectations, and long-term growth planning.
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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 -22 JulyRestaurants
Las Iguanas adds two more sites to growing portfolio
Las Iguanas has announced it has added two more sites to its growing portfolio in Canterbury and Peterborough. The new 284-cover restaurant and bar on Longmarket in Canterbury will be spread over 7,000sq ft. It is set to open to the public in September. The 160-cover restaurant, bar and terrace…
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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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May- 2022 -13 MayPeople
Big Table Group appoints first F&B director
The Big Table Group, the operator of Las Iguanas, Bella Italia and Café Rouge, has appointed David Rust to the newly created role of director of Food and Beverage. Rust has over 30 years’ experience in the hospitality industry, working with brands across hotels, restaurants and leisure. He joins from…
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Mar- 2022 -17 MarchRestaurants
Big Table Group launches Rouge concept in Birmingham
The Big Table Group has launched ‘Rouge’, a new concept restaurant in the Bullring, Birmingham, after a £250,000 refurbishment. The newly renovated restaurant is the second site nationwide, and first in the Midlands, to trial a refreshed design concept and French-inspired menu options. Located on the upper level of the…
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Feb- 2022 -23 FebruaryPeople
Fridays appoints Julie McEwan as COO
Fridays, part of newly listed Hostmore plc, has announced the appointment of Julie McEwan as its chief operating officer. McEwan started her career at Whitbread, spending several years as operations manager for Premier Inn, before joining Spirit Pub Company. At Spirit, she held several senior roles, including leading the Flaming…
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9 FebruaryCatering Companies
Big Table Group names new HR director
The Big Table Group, operator of Las Iguanas, Bella Italia and Cafe Rouge, has appointed Debbie Moore as the company’s new HR director. Moore, who will start on February 15, has more than 25 years’ experience in senior HR positions in retail and hospitality, having worked as head of HR…
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8 FebruaryGovernment
Over 250 hospitality leaders call for VAT to be held at 12.5%
More than 250 business leaders from hospitality and leisure have written to the chancellor, Rishi Sunak, urging the Government to keep VAT at 12.5% beyond March 2022, according to UKHospitality. It revealed the letter calls on the Treasury to maintain the current level to enable many “fragile” businesses to continue…
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Nov- 2021 -22 NovemberRestaurants
Café Rouge reopens following rebrand in Haywards Heath
Café Rouge has announced it has officially reopened in Haywards Heath under its new name ‘Rouge’. The newly renovated restaurant will be the first of a select few sites to trial new design concepts and menu options to “improve ambience and create a more modern, and relaxing dining experience”, Rouge…
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