Richoux Group extends revamped Zippers brand to second site

Restaurant operator Richoux Group is to open a new Zippers restaurant in Port Solent.

The American restaurant, bar and grill, which is set to open in August will be the second Zippers restaurant. The first, located at Chatham, Kent, has been open for three years.

Commenting on the brand expansion, Richoux managing director Ed Standring said: “We spotted an opportunity in the market now to develop Zippers into something a bit more than it actually is.

“We have Richoux, which is at the higher end of the market, Villagio, which is right in the middle, and Dean’s Diner, which is much more accessible.

“What we found is that we were looking at sites to acquire and found an opportunity for a different sort of brand. The location has a lot of Italians already, so we wouldn’t put a Villagio in, and the site is not quite right for a Dean’s – so we are developing the Zippers Bar and Grill.”

The new Zippers will undergo a £500,000 refurbishment project to create a “modified, next generation format” and the original site in Chatham is due to be upgraded too.

“It is an extension of what is already there, but we will develop it a bit further,” said Standring. “There will be a bar area and American style food. We’re aiming for a £15 average spend, a place to go for a drink, cocktail, draught beer, and food.

“We want to attack the market that lots of people are in.”

Zippers Bar and Grill will join a host of restaurants, including Dean’s Diner, Pizza Express, Harvester, Chiquitos and Prezzo.

Restaurant Property and Hughes Ellard advise CBRE Global Investors, the owners of Port Solent.

Caterer and Hotelkeeper – 29th May 2013 – [read article]