TRG's Coast to Coast reveals ambitious expansion plans

Angelo Gabrilatsou, the managing director of Coast to Coast has revealed ambitious plans for the American restaurant chain's growth with at least 16 new sites due to open by the end of 2017. 

This month the company, whose first site opened in Brighton Marina in 2011, will open its 22nd site - at the Metro Centre in Gateshead with sites in Chelmsford, Ipswich, Leeds and Bournemouth to follow. 

However, in our latest In Operation With... video Gabrilatsou, appointed managing director in September last year, told BigHospitality that despite its ambitious growth plans, the brand would not be forfeiting its emphasis on quality. 

"We have eight new sites planned for this year, a further eight for next year and so on. The pipeline is large," he said. "However, the real excitement within Coast to Coast is about bringing outstanding food to quality environments and we really feel we can make a difference. It's not just about opening restaurants, it's about ensuring we continue on this journey of outstanding food and outstanding service, because people are becoming more discerning. If we aren't at that cutting edge and our best we are well-aware of the consequences." 

The news coincides with a refresh of Coast to Coast's menu. Gabrilatsou told BigHospitality that this month more than 95 per cent of the menu would be prepared fresh in restaurants with sauces and dressings made on site and the addition of new dishes such as tuna tartare, whole roast seabass and a 30g long bone Tomahawk steak. 

"We are casual dining brand but that doesn't mean we should accept it means you give standard food in the environment you're in. Everything we set out to do is driven by the need to deliver quality and freshness," he said.