Gondola Holdings has once again retained the top spot in the R200, Restaurant magazine’s annual list of the top restaurant operators in the UK.
Having first launched in 2008 as the R100, the list has expanded in the space of two years to provide information on the 200 biggest operators in the country.
Ranked this year by number of sites operated, the list has grown to include more food-led pub groups to give a more comprehensive view of the industry.
Pizza Express operator Gondola Holdings, which last year operated 590 sites throughout the UK, now controls 600, placing it top of the leaderboard.
Due to the inclusion of several large pub groups, last year’s runner up Tragus Group, which runs Café Rouge and Bella Italia, has dropped down to fourth place, with a total of 282 sites operated.
In second and third position are The Restaurant Group, which runs a series of restaurants and pub restaurants including Frankie & Benny’s and Chiquito, and Orchid Group, operating 374 and 289 sites each.
Pushing on with expansion
Paul Wootton, editor of Restaurant magazine, said: “Despite the state of the economy, restaurant operators have chosen to take advantage of lower property values to expand their business. Last year more than a third of our R150 list intended to open new sites, and many have done just that. Those operators on the R200 list this year now collectively account for more than £2bn in sales.”
While the R200 list details company information in terms of number of sites operated, and how long that company has been in business, further details such as company turnover, number of employees, key suppliers and expansion plans are available in a separate report.
For details on how to get a copy of the full report, contact Kathrin Leaver on 01293 610465 or at kathrin.leaver@william-reed.co.uk.