Comptoir Group to reappoint Chaker Hanna as CEO

Comptoir Group, the owner of the Comptoir Libanais and Shawa restaurants, has announced that former CEO Chaker Hanna will be reappointed to the position.

This follows the announcement that the group’s current CEO Nick Ayerst will be stepping down at the end of February 2025 to “pursue an exciting career opportunity”.

Hanna, who left the role of CEO in 2022, was chosen by founder and creative director of the group Tony Kitous to replace Ayerst, and will do so subject to regulatory checks.

Group revenue for the year ending 29 December 2024 increased 9.5% to £34.5m, while full-year adjusted EBITDA is expected to be in excess of £0.5m, rising from a loss of £0.6m for the half year.

Christmas 2024 was the group’s “most successful Christmas trading period to date”, with total sales for the six-week period ending 5 January 2025 hitting £4.6m, up 19% compared to last year.

Commenting on the annual results, Ayerst said: "2024 has not been without its challenges as the general economic climate and sector specific cost pressures continue to bear down on the group. Despite this backdrop, the senior management team has delivered a year of both sales and profit growth. 

“The performance in the second half of the year was particularly pleasing, with an increasing cash balance and a strong Christmas trading due to a concerted effort by the team to elevate the guest experience. Furthermore, we have continued to invest in refurbishments, technology, sustainability and especially our people, where we have industry leading team engagement. These investments, which have now concluded, together with our new managed and franchised restaurants are building a solid foundation for the group. 

“We are reviewing our cost base and efficiencies and we continue to address underperforming restaurants and will take appropriate action with these where required. We have every confidence that the progress on like for like sales growth and profitability will continue in 2025 and that the company is well positioned as it enters the new year after a period of strategic investment.”

Referring to the recently announced increase in National Minimum Wage (NMW) and the changes to Employers National Insurance Contribution (NIC), Ayerst said the group expected this to be around 10% of total labour costs which stood at £800,000 in the last financial year, and are estimated to increase to £1.1m on an annualised basis.

“Given the general economic background of continuing high interest rates and other ongoing cost pressures this increase in labour cost puts pressure on all businesses in the sector to further increase pricing,” he said.

“We believe that we can achieve some labour cost savings through our excellent skilled teams and maintaining our high team retention rates together with the tactical use of technology. This, alongside modest price increases and a rigorous focus on costs, means we are confident that the group will continue to deliver in 2025 despite these additional headwinds.”