M&C Allegra Foodservice reports that the new 7,000sq ft, which represents the ONE Group’s first standalone restaurant in the UK and Europe, will launch at the South St Andrew Square development, a joint venture between Standard Life Investments and Peveril Securities, in 2017.
The group is also believed to be in talks to open a site in Manchester for the format, which will target an average spend per head of c£30. It believes it can operate up to six sites under the format in the UK.
The company believes there is scope to eventually operate 50 sites under the core STK brand throughout the world and 100-150 Rebels. It is looking for sites of 5,000sq ft for Rebel versus 9,000-10,000sq ft for a core STK.
The current European operations of the company, headed by British entrepreneur and founder Jonathan Segal, sees it work in partnership within landmark hotel and leisure operations, including: a number of premium hospitality concepts at the ME London hotel headlined by STK, in partnership Melia Hotels, and the entire food and beverage (F&B) programme of the Hippodrome Casino including 24-hour liquor provision, in London’s West End. In addition, it recently launched at the ME Milan, Italy, again in tandem with Melia, developing and operating the entire F&B programme; including Radio rooftop bar and STK Milano.
Segal, who established the company in the US in 2006, before coming to London in 2011, said: “We are delighted to be expanding our footprint across Europe as we take our unique hospitality concepts around the world. Edinburgh is the perfect location for the UK’s first STK Rebel. The cosmopolitan nature of city chimes with all that the brand represents – energy, vibrancy, style and approachability. We could not think of a city more suited to our company and our STK Rebel brand than Edinburgh.”
STK Rebel is an extension of The ONE Group’s international steak restaurant brand, STK. It maintains the unique features and energy of STK, yet offers a menu and price point targeted at a broader market, with the ability to trade throughout the day and night. Previously announced USA locations for STK Rebel include San Diego, Denver, Miami and Austin.
Confirmation of the first STK Rebel outside of North America comes amid continued expansion for The ONE Group, on three continents – North America, Europe and the Middle East.
It also follows its recent announced proposed acquisition of premium sushi restaurant brand, Katsuya, and Mediterranean restaurant brand, Cleo. The ONE Group announced in July that it has entered into an agreement with SBEEG Holdings, Holding company of the SLS, Redbury and Hyde hotel brands, to purchase Katsuya and Cleo, and by the end of 2015, it is anticipated that there will be up to 12 owned and managed / licensed Katsuya and Cleo locations globally.