San Carlo predicts 50% revenue increase
ITALIAN restaurant operator San Carlo is targeting sites in Birmingham and London for its Cicchetti concept launched in Manchester last year.
The privately-owned company, run by Carlo Di Stefano and his son, Marcello, launched Cicchetti 12 months ago on the ground floor of the House of Frazer department store opposite its flagship King St West restaurant in Manchester. The restaurant is based on the Venetian concept of “cicchetti” – or small-plate dishes.
The firm, which currently operates nine Italian restaurants in the UK and a number of franchised outlets in the Middle East, is predicting a 50% increase in group turnover for 2011 to £33m.
It said revenues at Cicchetti are currently three times ahead of forecasts, with the outlet currently handling around 4,000 covers per week, with an average of 3-4 dishes consumed per cover. It was also named Best Newcomer at the Manchester Food & Drink Awards.
Managing director Marcello Di Stefano said: “It’s been a fantastic year for Cicchetti, we put our heart and soul into delivering a fresh and exciting dining experience with great food underpinning everything.
“We took our time in getting it right and this has been recognised in our feedback, award win and loyalty of our customers. We’re actively looking for more sites in London and Birmingham and hope to have our second Cicchetti open by 2012.”
