Richoux to focus on Zippers and Dean’s Diner expansion

20-Apr-2011 - Last updated on 21-Apr-2011 at 11:07 GMT

Richoux runs 13 restaurants under its three brands: Dean's Diner, Zuppers and Richoux

Restaurant operator Richoux Group has said its start-up Zippers and Dean’s Diner brands have been earmarked for their growth potential, but it will be taking a “measured” approach to their development while it asses their suitability for a wider roll-out.

Richoux currently owns and operates 13 restaurants, seven of which were opened over the past year, following the launch of Dean’s Diner, a 1950s style American Diner concept.

Across its three brands – Richoux, Zippers and Dean’s Diner – the group recorded a turnover of £5.8m in the year ended 26 December 2010, which translated into an operating profit of £0.14m in the year.

Philip Shotter, Richoux chairman said that the business has remained profitable over the year, and continued expansion of the new brands is in the pipeline where suitable sites can be found.

“The company has undergone relatively significant expansion during the year, opening seven new restaurants and rebranding an existing site under its Zippers and Dean’s Diner concepts. A measured development of both concepts is envisaged to further assess their suitability for wider roll-out,” he said.

Dean’s Diner

Richoux opened the first Dean’s Diner site in Chatham in July 2010. Since then, it has opened another four sites: in High Wycombe in November 2010 (following the rebranding of an existing site owned by the Group) and in Basingstoke, Basildon and Slough, all in December 2010.

Richoux has also recently acquired two further sites in Port Solent and Braintree which are expected to open in June 2011 and October 2011 respectively.

Zippers

The contemporary family restaurant Zippers was also expanded in 2010, following the opening of the original site in Chatham.

Three further restaurants were opened in Andover in September 2010, and Barnet and Bexhill-on-Sea both in December 2010.

Richoux

Richoux Group also runs four of its original brand Richoux restaurants, which offer all-day dining in central London.

The group says that all restaurants “continue to trade in line with expectations”. The Richoux site in Knightsbridge in particular has benefited from an increase in trade due to a refurbishment last year.

On the release of its 2010 annual results, Richouz said: “Group turnover from continuing operations for the 52 week period ended 26 December 2010 increased to £5.84m (2009: £5.02m) following the opening of the new Zippers and Dean’s Diner restaurants.

“Gross profit from continuing operations improved to £0.61m (2009: £0.14m). There was an increase in the total Group restaurants’ gross profit before pre-opening costs percentage from 4.6 per cent to 14.7 per cent during the year.

“This increase was due to the contribution made by the new Zippers and Dean’s Diner restaurants and the closure of underperforming restaurants.”