Member Article

ASK Italian and Zizzi seek 20 new outlets in South East expansion

Azzurri Group, owner of ASK Italian and Zizzi restaurant chains, has announced it is working with a niche retail and leisure agency to secure 20 new venues across the North East.

Lunson Mitchenall will support the restaurant company’s expansion following the acquisition of both brands by European private equity firm Bridgepoint (under the name Azzurri Group Ltd) in 2014 for a combined total £250m, according to Bighospitality.

Following recent investment into its existing estate and new openings of Zizzi at Glasgow Silverburn and in Stratford upon Avon and Telford and ASK Italian at One Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester and in Maidstone and Swindon.

Marc Ward, Group Head of Acquisitions at Azzurri Group Ltd, commented: “We see huge potential to grow both brands in the UK. With Lunson Mitchenall’s wide range of contacts within the landlord and developer community, it was the obvious choice to assist with the next phase of our expansion.

“Its leisure team is well respected within the industry and holds a stellar track record for delivering results on acquisition strategies for some of the most prominent names in the leisure sector.”

Theo Fordham, Head of Catering and Leisure at Lunson Mitchenall, added: “There has been real growth in the casual-dining market as consumers have favoured price, convenience and quality over fast food and full service alternatives.

“Both ASK and Zizzi have emerged as market leaders and have built up a combined annual customer following of over six million. As consumer spending continues to rise this can only improve and we look forward to helping them to secure new outlets for both concepts over the coming months.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ellen Forster .