Café Rouge launches new format in London's Victoria Place

Café Rouge has opened a new format in Victoria Place in London, which sees the brand offer rotisserie chicken in one of its sites for the first time.

Building on the launch of its ‘Express' site at Euston station, the restaurant group's new Victoria site aims to appeal to commuters and shoppers with a focus on takeaway items.

Although the restaurant will continue to serve popular items like steak frites, its takeaway menu offers a variety of fresh pastries, baguettes and croques.

The new site also features a large communal table fitted with power points to enable customers to do some after-work emailing while enjoying a glass of wine or bar food.

The venue also features a new shop full of French products such as Dijon sauce pots, olive oil, wine and champagne, craft beer, Café Rouge coffee bricks and hot chocolate tins, as well as bread boards and copper pans.

"We wanted to provide more of a grab and go offering for the thousands of people who visit Victoria every day but may not have time to stop for a meal, while our shop is a completely new venture for us and one we feel will prove popular with those looking to create a French feast at home, or pick up a quick gift."

Café Rouge owner Tragus, which is controlled by Apollo Global Management, has plans to open 50 new restaurants over the next four years under its Café Rouge and Bella Italian brands.

Tragus recently put 51 Bella Italia and Café Rouge sites into company voluntary arrangements (CVAs) with the aim of exiting 30-40 uneconomic leases, as it attempts to reduce its borrowings.