Big Mamma posts strong 2023 results

The French-based group of Italian restaurants founded at the end of 2013 by Victor Lugger and Tigrane Seydoux reports that turnover at its UK business rose to nearly £41m, up from almost £26m the previous year, in its accounts for the year ended 31 December 2023.

Profit increased at a higher rate, with profit for the year after taxation reaching £3.7m, up from £359,000 the previous year.

The business’ gross profit margin was 72%, up almost five percentage points on the year before.

Big Mamma operates five London restaurants - Gloria, Circolo Popolare, Ave Mario, Jacuzzi and Carlotta - with the company saying that each venue had ‘performed strongly in excess of expectations driven by the strong brand presence on social media and consistently high customer feedback scores’.

The group also says that the restaurants were ‘fully booked one month in advance up throughout 2023’.

2023 was the first year where all of Big Mamma’s five restaurants were open. Out of these, four operated throughout the year, it reports.

In its report the company says that the decision by the UK to leave Europe has affected its ability to source staff, food and beverage from Europe.

Big Mamma will soon open its first UK restaurant outside of the capital in Birmingham having taken on the former Vinoteca site.

Called La Bellezza​​, it will be a 150-cover trattoria that will also feature a ‘whimsical’ 25-cover terrace and will be located in the city’s Chamberlain Square.

The group is also expected to open a further regional site in Manchester ​​next year, as well as another London restaurant in Canary Wharf.