Las Iguanas
Reporting on brand strategy, site activity, and F&B direction at a Latin American-inspired casual dining chain with national reach. This section covers restaurant openings, menu innovation, customer experience, and marketing campaigns, providing insight for operators and hospitality professionals interested in themed dining, flavour-led menus, and group performance within the branded UK restaurant sector.
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Sep- 2020 -14 SeptemberPeople
The Big Table appoints Mike Tye as chairman of The Big Table
The Big Table, which was recently formed to acquire and operate the Bella Italia, Café Rouge and Las Iguanas restaurant brands, has appointed Mike Tye as its non-executive chairman. With “extensive” board-level experience across the out-of-home food and drink market, the company said Tye will work closely with Epiris, the…
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Aug- 2020 -3 AugustRestaurants
Casual Dining Group rebrands following takeover
The Casual Dining Group (CDG) has rebranded as The Big Table, following its acquisition by private equity firm Epiris. A new business formed by the firm has successfully concluded a deal to take control of the Las Iguanas, Bella Italia and Café Rouge chains, alongside their existing management team led…
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Jun- 2019 -26 JuneNews
Levi Roots closes restaurant
Entrepreneur and Dragon’s Den winner Levi Roots announced that his restaurant Levi Roots Caribbean Smokehouse in Westfield Stratford, London closed yesterday (Tuesday 25 June). Roots took to Twitter to announce the closure, as he said: “SO SORRY! Unfortunately I have to announce my restaurant @levismokehouse is closing today! most dreadful…
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Apr- 2019 -24 AprilRestaurants
James Spragg appointed Casual Dining Group CEO
Casual Dining Group (CDG), the operator of c.280 mid-market restaurant brands including Bella Italia, Las Iguanas and Cafe Rouge, has announced the appointment of James Spragg, currently chief operating officer, to the position of chief executive officer, effective from 29 April. Spragg has extensive experience in the restaurant and leisure…
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Mar- 2019 -5 MarchRestaurants
Casual Dining Group CEO steps down
Steve Richards, the CEO of Casual Dining Group (CDG), will be leaving the restaurant group at the end of May 2019 to join holiday resort company Parkdean Holidays as its CEO. CDG operates around 290 restaurants across a number of brands including Las Iguanas, Bella Italia and Cafe Rouge. Appointed…
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Feb- 2019 -13 FebruaryGovernment
Government delays changes to tipping law
The government has announced it has pushed back the introduction of a law which would prevent restaurant owners from pocketing their staff’s tips, three years after a change was suggested. In 2016, a new legislation was promised following a consultation and at the 2018 Conservative party conference, Theresa May said…
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Dec- 2018 -14 DecemberRestaurants
YO! Sushi partners with Cineworld
Cinema chain Cineworld has announced a national partnership with YO! Sushi to give its Cineworld Unlimited customers a 25% discount on food and drink at the Japanese restaurant. The offer includes alcohol, is available seven days a week and is exclusive to Unlimited customers. Earlier this year, Cineworld announced a…
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Nov- 2018 -15 NovemberBusiness
CDG signs exclusivity deal for Las Iguanas, Oriel and Bella Italia in UAE
Casual Dining Group (CDG), the operator of mid-market restaurant brands, has agreed a new franchising deal for its Las Iguanas, Bella Italia and Oriel Grande Brasserie brands in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The deal with RELAM Investment will give exclusivity to open and operate the brands in the UAE…
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Jul- 2018 -2 JulyBusiness
Cafe Rouge, Las Iguanas and Bella Italia owner invests £30m in high street
Casual Dining Group, the owner of Cafe Rouge, Las Iguanas and Bella Italia has announced it is to invest £30m in its 300 restaurants to enhance their performance as part of a refinancing of the company. The group’s restaurants are already performing ahead of the market with the company reporting…
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Jun- 2018 -20 JuneAwards & Events
10 finalists to compete for National Chef of the Year award
The UK’s chefs association Craft Guild of Chefs has announced the 10 finalists who will compete for the National Chef of the Year award in October. The chefs were selected after a series of cook-offs, with four winners and six runners-up impressing the judges at Sheffield College and Le Cordon…
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