Café Rouge owner plans new brand

Café Rouge and Bella Italia operator Tragus could add a major new brand to its business.

Chief executive Graham Turner said the new brand might be Spanish-based, but couldn't confirm the timeframe for the new venture.

He said: "We would consider more all-day dining operations that appeal to British palates. There are opportunities for us to look at other operators in the market."

Tragus believes it could handle up to another 50 restaurants without any major increase in its cost base.

The group, which was bought by Legal and General Ventures (LGV) in a secondary buyout at the start of the calendar year, saw turnover jump 14.4% to £11.66m for the year ended 29 May 2005.

Operating profit was £12m compared with £9.43m in 2004, which Turner credited to the steadily growing demand for causal dining from consumers.

By Emily Manson

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