Operator of Las Iguanas, Bella Italia expands with Pan-Asian acquisition

The Big Table Group, the operator of Las Iguanas, Bella Italia and Café Rouge, has announced the acquisition of the fast-casual Pan-Asian chain, Banana Tree, adding a new cuisine flavour to its family of restaurant brands.

Founded over 30 years ago by William Chow, Banana Tree is famous for its authentic, exotic and delicious street-food inspired dishes, with flavours from Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia.

The business started as a single site in Maida Vale, London and currently operates in nine high-footfall locations in the South East, across London as well as prime sites in Chelmsford, Milton Keynes and Oxford.

The Banana Tree’s Pan-Asian proposition adds a “key culinary category” to London based The Big Table Group’s existing portfolio of restaurant brands, and is said to be a “complimentary extension” aligned with key consumer trends including “flavourful, fresh and convenient food, at an affordable price point”.

The brand also boasts favourable sustainability credentials, with 40 per cent of its menu being plant-based.

Anne Chow will continue to lead the brand as managing director, reporting to The Big Table Group’s chief executive officer, Alan Morgan. William Chow, an architect by training, will return to his original passion and work on the design of new Banana Trees with The Big Table Group team.

Alan Morgan, CEO, The Big Table Group, commented: “We are delighted to be welcoming the Banana Tree team to The Big Table Group. Creating, growing and acquiring high-quality, complimentary brands with widespread consumer appeal is a key part of our growth strategy and therefore Banana Tree is an excellent addition to the business.

“Anne and William have built a brand with an extremely loyal following, superb food and guest scores, plus excellent financial metrics, and we see great opportunities to grow the business, taking it into new towns and cities around the UK.”

Last year, The Big Table Group, which is backed by leading private equity group Epiris, announced plans to open 50 new restaurants and refurbish 70 existing sites over the next three years, investing £35m in new openings alone.

The investment programme will take the group to 200 restaurants across the UK, while the company intends to invest a further £19m to refurbish its restaurants.

By Matthew Neville – Correspondent, Bdaily

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