Various Eateries Trading Limited,[1][2] trading as Strada, is a chain based in the United Kingdom of branded restaurants specialising in Italian cuisine with two Strada sites and six Coppa Clubs, all in Southern England.
 | |
| Strada | |
| Formerly | Strada Trading Limited (2014–2020) |
| Company type | Private |
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Founded | 2000 |
| Headquarters | London, England |
| Parent | Sun Capital Partners |
| Website | strada |
History
editThe concept was spawned by Luke Johnson in 2000 and, over five years, expanded to thirty restaurants.[3] In September 2005, Richard Caring bought the chain from Johnson for £60m.[4]
During this period of ownership, twenty more restaurants were added to the chain and, in May 2007 they, along with five Belgo and Bierodrome restaurants, were acquired by Tragus Group Ltd for £140m,[5] owner of the brands Cafe Rouge, Bella Italia, Potters Bar & Kitchen and Huxleys.
In 2007 Targus signed a concession agreement with holiday park operator Center Parcs UK and Ireland This led to the opening of Strada Restaurants at the Company’s Sherwood and Longleat sites and was Expanded in 2014 with the opening of a Strada Restaurant at Center parcs new village in Woburn. Following Strada’s sale in 2014 CDG operated the Center parcs sites as legacy restaurants until 2016 when they were rebranded as Bella Italia. The Woburn site continued to operate as Strada until 2020, when it closed and was rebranded as a new concept restaurant called Amalfi.[6]
In September 2012, Strada joined the Nectar loyalty card reward scheme as a redemption partner.[7] In July 2013, Strada began a partnership with the Gourmet Society, offering their members discounts on production of a Gourmet Society restaurant discount card.
In September 2014, forty three of Strada restaurants were bought by Hugh Osmond's Sun Capital Partners from Tragus Group (renamed Casual Dining Group) for £37m, retaining their existing management team, led by James Spragg.[8] In 2017, over twenty restaurants closed, in turn, many other branded restaurant companies also closed many sites in 2017 and 2018.
As of December 2024, Strada has one site in London Southbank and thirteen Coppa club sites (with two sites of Strada turning into one Coppa Club).
Charity
editIn March 2013, Strada were official partners of Comic Relief, the British charity founded in 1985 that aims to "bring about positive and lasting change in the lives of poor and disadvantaged people."
Tipping and minimum wage
editIn June 2009, the company was found to be threatening to dismiss wait staff who do not get customers to pay tips on credit cards rather than in cash. Credit card tips were used by the company to subsidise wages (which are usually the legal minimum) whereas cash tips go directly to wait staff.[9]
In line with changes to tipping legislation, which came into effect on 1 October 2009, Tragus Ltd. reviewed and updated its policies to ensure that all tips, after a 10% deduction for administrative and other costs paid by credit or debit card, are now distributed through the payroll system to restaurant staff. All Tragus Group employees are now paid tips in addition to the National Minimum Wage.[10]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "VARIOUS EATERIES TRADING LIMITED overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". Companies House. 21 August 2014. Archived from the original on 2 September 2024. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
- ^ "Privacy Policy". Strada. Archived from the original on 3 August 2023. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
- ^ "About Luke Johnson". Archived from the original on 25 July 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
- ^ "Tragus buys Strada for £140million". Big Hospitality. Archived from the original on 1 December 2012. Retrieved 13 December 2012.
- ^ "Strada restaurant chain sold for £140m". The Guardian. London. 31 May 2007. Archived from the original on 2 September 2024. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
- ^ "Targus agrees Centre Parcs deal". Manchester Evening News. 18 July 2007. Archived from the original on 2 September 2024. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
- ^ "Tragus joins Nectar promo". Peach Report. Archived from the original on 20 January 2013. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
- ^ "Hugh Osmond buys 43 Strada restaurants". The Caterer. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
- ^ Elliott, Jamie (28 June 2009). "Cafe waiters fear the axe over cash tips". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 2 September 2024. Retrieved 24 May 2010.
- ^ "Strada Tips & Service Charge". Strada. Archived from the original on 15 October 2012. Retrieved 20 November 2012.
External links
edit- Official website
Media related to Strada (restaurant) at Wikimedia Commons
