AlixPartners comments on Carluccio's, the latest restructuring in the UK casual dining sector

Commenting on Carluccio's, the latest restructuring in the UK casual dining sector, Paul Hemming, restaurant sector expert at AlixPartners says:

“Carluccio's is another in an as yet unfinished procession of casual dining operators struggling with today's challenging operating environment. Given the number of businesses seeking to restructure through the CVA process, it is clear that there is a commonality of issues among restaurant companies.  Many companies – struggling under the weight of an unwieldy tail of over-rented sites, which suppress their ability to re-invest in their core businesses – are pursuing restructurings of this nature in order to survive.  This re-setting of the business can only deliver long-term success if it comes hand-in-hand with a robust business plan that drives change and improvement across every facet of a restaurant group’s operation, from brand positioning, marketing, and site investment, through to training, menu innovation and a meaningful strategy for growth.”