La Tasca plans launch of new brand
Tapas chain La Tasca is considering the launch of a second stand-alone brand after delivering buoyant full-year results.
James Horler, the chain's chief executive and winner of this year's Group Restaurateur Catey, confirmed a spin-off was likely. "We have a wonderful business that is doing really well," said Horler. "But there is definitely an opportunity in city centres to do something else. I just haven't come up with it yet."
The company, which opened its 40th UK restaurant in Croydon, Surrey, at the end of June, has seen sales for the year to 25 April surge by 32% to £39.8m and operating profit jump by 27% to £5.1m.
La Tasca will open between eight and 10 restaurants in the next financial year, with sites in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, and Plymouth, Devon, launching in August.