Macaroni Grills head for the UK

The USA-based Romano's Macaroni Grill will arrive in the UK next year following a franchise deal between parent Brinker International and leisure company Queensborough Holdings.

The first restaurant, due to open in the south-east of England next spring, will be a joint venture between the two.

"After that, we will become the master franchise for the Romano brand in the UK," said Michael Guthrie, chairman and managing director of the Queensborough restaurant division.

Guthrie, formerly head of BrightReasons restaurants, joined Queensborough in February this year when the leisure company set up its restaurant division. Since then, it has been looking for ways to expand.

In the same week, it announced the acquisition of GB Inns & Restaurants, whose mid-priced Mediterranean restaurant, Côte à Côte, it plans to develop into a chain.

Queensborough also plans to open 20 Romano restaurants over the next 10 years. There are currently 104 in the USA and Canada.