Individual Restaurants sales rise 14% over Xmas
Under the direction of CEO, Andrew Garton, who joined the business in January 2023, Individual Restaurants saw a £74m turnover in March 2024
Individual Restaurants has reported “record” Christmas sales with a 14% growth in the four weeks of December, across its portfolio of world-leading restaurant brands Piccolino, Riva Blu and Restaurant Bar and Grill.
Like for like sales for the group increased by 8% in December, whilst covers increased by 4% year on year.
Under the direction of CEO, Andrew Garton, who joined the business in January 2023, Individual Restaurants saw a £74m turnover in March 2024, the group’s most successful year to date.
The year has been fuelled by strategic investments across its portfolio and new openings, driven by the evolution of the Piccolino brand which expanded into the home counties, in Marlow and Henley-on-Thames, with a further opening in the South of England in Chichester in 2024.
Individual Restaurants also invested £4m in renovations across its portfolio in the past 12 months, investing in its Riva Blu brand in the North of England, with further refurbishments to Piccolino restaurants in Sheffield, Virginia Water, Ilkley, Manchester and Birmingham.
The group credits the commitment to strengthening its core estate as a contributing factor to record sales. The success was reflected nationwide with 70% of sites achieving “record-breaking” trading days in December.
The trading period follows a number of strategic hires and promotions made by Garton to bolster the group’s executive board as it prepares to open new brand propositions, grow its portfolio, identify acquisition and franchise opportunities and enter new markets globally.
This included the appointment of Neve Rabbou as group sales and marketing director.
Andrew Garton, CEO of Individual Restaurants, said: “It has been a milestone Christmas for Individual Restaurants with record-breaking sales and impressive covers growth and we’re proud to have outperformed the market in terms of spend and transactions. Investing in the evolution of our flagship brand, Piccolino, has been a key driving force behind the sales success and will continue to be a catalyst for growth as we seek to develop our portfolio and enter new markets in 2025.
“The outcome of the Autumn budget will be very challenging for the hospitality sector in 2025, however we remain resilient in the face of cost pressures and committed to long-term investment, setting our sights on new openings and global expansion opportunities.”
