Casual Dining Group, the company behind brands including Las Iguanas, Bella Italia and Café Rouge has appointed joint administrators.
The company has appointed Clare Kennedy, Peter Saville, Daniel Imison and Catherine Williamson of Alix Partners LLP ahead of the expected sale. The Administrators have identified 91 sites out of a total of 250 sites for immediate closure. The closures will impact 1,909 restaurant based colleagues amongst the Group’s current staff base of 5,959.
James Spragg, CEO of Casual Dining Group, said: “After reviewing all our options with advisors, it became clear that we needed to take this action in order to protect the business and secure the best possible future for Casual Dining Group as we look to conclude a potential sale. We are acutely aware of our duty to all employees and recognise that this is an incredibly difficult time for them. Working alongside the Administrators we will do everything we can to support them through this process with a view to preserving as much employment as we are able to.” Joint Administrator Clare Kennedy, of Alix Partners, said: “We appreciate that this is an extremely difficult time for all those associated with Casual Dining Group. Our immediate priorities are to assist those whose employment has been affected by today’s announcement and to secure a sale for the group in order to protect jobs and provide the Group’s much-loved brands with a sustainable platform for the future.”
