Yo Sushi! Wagamama, Harry Ramsden's, PizzaExpress, Groupe Chez Gérard, Ask - it's an impressive list. The groups run by the restaurateurs who have won the Catey for Group Restaurateur of the Year cover the country like a culinary carpet. To this list you can add last year's winner, Robby Enthoven, managing director of the fast-expanding chicken restaurant chain, Nando's, and you may get some idea of the status of previous winners.
Nando's, which was founded in South Africa in 1987 and first came to the UK in 1992, showed great resilience in its early years in this country after a tough beginning. Its first two branches, in Ealing and Earls Court, London, failed to take off initially. Enthoven's father, who founded the chain, suggested that he take over as UK managing director, and his influence since has been crucial. Today, Nando's has more than 60 restaurants with more due to open soon. It also now has two pubs.
The healthy expansion was one of the factors that impressed last year's judges, including David Coffer, chairman of Davis Coffer Lyons, who said: "Robby Enthoven has taken a concept from South Africa and taken a chance on placing it in the UK market. In doing so, he has had absolute awareness of the need to be precise and careful with the financial side of the business.
"His expansion programme has been successful, and it is possible that Nando's will become one of the main restaurant multiples."
What the judges also liked about Nando's was that good commercial planning and good food appeared to have gone hand-in-hand. Ian Neill, chief executive of Wagamama, another former winner, said: "All you have to do is taste the chicken to know that he and his team are getting it right."
Another factor about Nando's that helped Enthoven win the award was the way in which the chain broke new ground by bridging the gap between fast food and traditional restaurants. Customers order their food at a counter and then food is brought to a numbered table. The menu offers a range of chicken dishes, plus some vegetarian options, and also offers beer and wine.
Judges' criteria
* The Group Restaurateur of the Year award is open to individuals who have made their mark in running system-led companies operating branded and themed restaurants.
* The judges will place particular emphasis on the demonstration of marketing skills and the consistent delivery of good service.
This year's winner will be announced at the Catey Awards on Tuesday 1st July.
Previous Winners:
2002 Robby Enthoven
2001 Ian Neill
2000 Simon Woodroffe
1999 Adam & Sam Kaye
1998 Neville Abraham & Laurence Isaacson
1997 Jeremy Mogford
1996 David Page
1995 John Barnes
1994 Roger Myers
1993 Max Woolfenden
1992 Allen Jones
1991 Wess Van Riemsdijk
1990 Alan Jackson
1989 Peter Boizot
Sponsored by: Winterhalter
Sponsor message:
The group restaurant sector, far from polarising, continues to blur at the edges as celebrity chefs open their own groups, and fast food chains move into the sector by acquiring or developing smart niche brands.
In recent years, this has meant an astonishing diversity of cuisines, represented by familiar chains throughout the country – and a growth that shows no sign of slowing down. The group restaurant is not just here to stay – it arguably now sets the trends in catering.
The Group Restaurateur of the Year Catey thus honours many who have changed the UK catering industry for the better, and out of all recognition.
For Winterhalter, sponsoring this Catey is natural because it represents a core part of the company’s business. The company has long-established links with many groups, such as Groupe Chez Gerard, TGI Fridays, All Bar One and Nando’s. The phenomenal popularity of such chains demands automatic warewashing facilities that deliver fast and perfect results, great reliability and high quality support and maintenance.
As the UK’s premier glass and dishwashing specialist, Winterhalter therefore takes great pride in once again supporting the award recognising those who have made their mark operating branded and themed restaurants.
Back