Now in their third year, the R200 Awards recognise the best-performing companies in Restaurant magazine’s R200 list which ranks the 200 largest restaurant and food-led pub operators in the UK in order of number of sites.
“The range of operators shortlisted in Restaurant's R200 Awards 2011 is reflective of the extraordinary diversity and vibrancy of the UK eating-out scene,” said William Drew, editor of Restaurant magazine.
“Despite the well-documented economic pressures, including an unprecedented squeeze on margins, strong original concepts still have the ability to thrive. Everything from mass-appeal categories such as fish & chips and burgers through French and Italian casual dining concepts to those offering food from Vietnam, Mexico, Thailand and Korea are represented - along with plenty more.”
The awards will be announced tomorrow (Wednesday) at a special seminar held at The Landmark Hotel in London.
Eight Categories
They have been divided into eight categories including Best New Scalable Concept, Best Pub Company, Most Effective Restaurant Design and Best Drinks Offer. Last year’s overall winner was Jamie’s Italian, which is this year up for the Best Family Restaurant Chain award.
Also nominated this year are Carluccio’s, Pizza Express and TGI Friday’s for Innovation of the Year, and Le Bistrot Pierre, Tampopo and The Thai Square Restaurant Group for Best Value Chain.
Given the fragmented nature of the UK dining scene, Restaurant magazine have once again set their own parameters for the awards, excluding fast food and takeaway chains as well as companies listed on the Stock Exchange’s Main Market.
“The R200 Awards is significant in that it is based on a peer-to-peer voting,” added Drew. “These businesses know if they are popular with consumers; but receiving the accolades and admiration of their competitors is a ringing endorsement of their hard work and skill.”
The R200 award winners will be tweeted live on our Twitter page @BigHospitality. A full report of the awards including interviews with winners and guest speakers will then be published on BigHospitality on Thursday.
The nominees for this year’s R200 awards are: -
Best Overall Restaurant Chain
Byron
Giraffe
Zizzi
Best Value Restaurant Chain
Le Bistrot Pierre
Tampopo
The Thai Square Restaurant Group
Best Family Restaurant Chain
Jamie’s Italian
Nando’s
Pizza Express
Best Pub Company
Flying Kiwi Inns
Geronimo Inns
Oakman Inns & Restaurants
Best Drinks Offer
Pho
The Draft House
Wahaca
Best New Scalable Concept
Chip & Fish
Kimchee
Meatballs
Spud
Innovation of the Year
Carluccio’s
Pizza Express
TGI Friday’s
Most Effective Restaurant Design
Bill’s Produce
Byron
Zizzi