New owner plans expansion for Chili's

Casual Dining, the company set up to take over four Chili's restaurants from the Celebrated Group, is planning to keep the brand name and open more restaurants next year.

Celebrated, which went into administration in August, is expected to be placed into liquidation once it has sold its remaining assets. These include three Starvin' Marvin diners in the North of England.

Casual Dining was formed by entrepreneur Kevin Leech, also chairman of restaurant company Queensborough Holdings. He has appointed Michael Guthrie chairman of the newly formed company.

Guthrie joined Queensborough in 1997 as deputy chairman. He was formerly head of BrightReasons until the loss-making restaurant group was sold to Whitbread in late 1996.

Casual Dining's managing director, Barry McGowan, said the group planned to expand the Chili's brand with the opening of a 200-seat restaurant in Reading in March and a further three restaurants over the next two years.

"We have taken a brand that has not had any problems, it has been trading really well but has been plagued by non-commitment," he said.

McGowan was formerly employed by Chili's US parent company, Brinker International.