Boparan Restaurant Group confirms Carluccio’s acquisition

Giraffe and Ed’s Easy Diner operator Boparan Restaurant Group (BRG) has confirmed the acquisition of the Carluccio’s brand.

It will take on 30 trading sites of the Italian chain, first founded by Antonio Carluccio in 1991, saving 800 jobs.

The original 71 Carluccio’s sites fell into administration in March.

Phil Reynolds, partner at administrators FRP told The Caterer that the remaining sites had been permanently closed and that 1019 staff had been made redundant.

He said: "We will ask any parties who acquire the Company’s leasehold interests not part of the deal if they will have job vacancies as we may be able to pass these opportunities on, if the employees have consented to us doing so, to try and help."

BRG’s restaurant stable includes Cinnamon, Fishworks, Slim Chickens, Giraffe and Ed’s Easy Diner. It said that it also planned to take on the Carluccio’s franchise partnership in the UAE and Qatar.

BRG managing director Satnam Leihal said: “We welcome Carluccio’s colleagues to BRG. This acquisition is in line with our strategy to grow our restaurant group with quality brands. While it is an extremely challenging time for the sector, we believe quality hospitality businesses will recover in the long term as people return to eating out.”

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