The restaurant operator behind Las Iguanas, Bella Italia and Café Rouge has fallen into administration, with 91 of 250 outlets set to close immediately.
The closures, at parent company Casual Dining Group, will affect 1,909 jobs. Its administrators Alix Partners are seeking offers for all or parts of the remaining business.
According to the administrators, it was in stakeholders’ “best interests” for CDG to enter administration “to enable the group to conclude negotiations with landlords regarding the estate”.
This was seen by CDG’s board as “a critical step to resolve, prior to the conclusion of the ongoing sale process”.
James Spragg, chief executive of CDG, said: “After reviewing all our options with advisers, it became clear that we needed to take this action in order to protect the business and secure the best possible future for Casual Dining Group as we look to conclude a potential sale.”
Joint administrator Clare Kennedy said: “Our immediate priorities are to assist those whose employment has been affected by today’s announcement and to secure a sale for the group in order to protect jobs and provide the group’s much-loved brands with a sustainable platform for the future.”
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