The chain, which now has 19 sites, was named the winner for its ‘forward thinking business approach’ and ‘continual innovation with draft beer menus, limited edition burgers and intelligent design.’
Beating off competition from Giraffe and Zizzi to secure the award, Byron founder Tom Byng collected the trophy at an exclusive R200 ceremony at The Landmark yesterday afternoon.
Restaurant magazine editor William Drew, who presented Byng with the award, said: “These awards are highly significant in a sector which perhaps doesn’t always get the recognition it deserves.
Proud and congratulated
“These businesses continue to drive growth in austerity-hit times; to innovate in the face of pressure on margins and to add value to the customer experience wherever possible and for that you should be proud and congratulated.”
Byron also picked up the award for Most Effective Restaurant Design. Other award winners included Le Bistrot Pierre for Best Value Restaurant Chain, Geronimo Inns for Best Pub Company and Nando’s for Best Family Restaurant Chain.
Pizza Express, which this year launched its high-tech smart phone payment app, was named as Innovation of the Year over rivals Carluccio’s and TGI Friday’s.
The winners of the Restaurant magazine R200 Awards 2011 are: -
Best Overall Restaurant Chain
Byron
Most Effective Restaurant Design
Byron
Best Value Restaurant Chain
Le Bistrot Pierre
Best Pub Company
Geronimo Inns
Best Family Restaurant Chain
Nando’s
Innovation of the Year
Pizza Express
Best Drinks Offer
The Draft House
Best New Scalable Concept
Kimchee