Tragus set to push tapas brand openings
Tragus is to convert the Leadenhall Wine and Tapas Bar in London into its second Spanish tapas restaurant and bar, Ortega. A third site in London is also likely to be a conversion of one of the group's existing high-street eateries.
Café Rouge owner Tragus launched the fledgling brand in Harlow, Essex, at the start of July, converting a former Bella Italia into a 132-seat restaurant and bar. It is planning a fourth pilot site before assessing Ortega's performance, to see if it can be rolled out as its third national brand.
Reporting full-year sales to 28 May, Tragus said that turnover had increased by 11.1% to £130m thanks to sales growth at its existing 160-strong estate and to 12 new openings.
Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation - a measure of a company's underlying profitability - leapt by 32% to £22m.