Fatboy's and Leisurtime in partnership split

TWO Fatboy's Diners were rebranded last week following the termination of a joint-venture partnership less than a year after it was set up.

The outlets, in London's Canary Wharf and Golders Green, were renamed Sunrise Diners when Classic Diners of America, owner of the Fatboy's name, ended its partnership with Leisuretime Inns.

Trevor Gulliver, managing director of Classic Diners of America, told Caterer he had been unhappy with the performance of the outlets. He said he was keen to protect the reputation established by the two original diners in London's Covent Garden and Bishopsgate.

"Fatboy's is a successful and unique business, but the operation and management of the outlets were not as we would have wished," said Mr Gulliver.

Fatboy's Diners operate in original 1950s diners imported from the USA. Mr Gulliver said Classic Diners was in discussion with other parties with a view to expanding the name.

Prab Nallamilli, managing director of Sunrise Diners, said the split had come because of a divergence of views on how to run the outlets.

"Basically we had different philosophies," he said. "I wanted to update the menu with things like steaks and Caesar's salad, and use china plates instead of paperware."

Mr Nallamilli, who was operations director for Hard Rock Cafe between 1971and 1990, said he hoped to set up further Sunrise Diners but added that there were operational problems to be sorted out first in the existing outlets.

One of these is the fact that the Golders Green outlet has opened only at weekends for the past six weeks. "We're thinking about moving it to another site, but are waiting to see how things go over the summer," said Mr Nallamilli.