The company behind Italian favourites Zizzi and Ask has announced its intention to continue expanding its restaurant portfolio despite the additional costs looming over the sector next year.
The boss of Azzurri Group, which also operates Coco Di Mama, is "cautiously optimistic" about the bounce-back of UK hospitality in the coming year, even as industry leaders have voiced concerns. Last month, top figures from Greene King and Whitbread warned government officials that hikes in National Insurance could spell closures and job cuts within a year. Yet, Azzurri is looking to capitalise on higher wages and lower borrowing costs.
"While UK consumer confidence continues to be impacted by global macroeconomic conditions, falling inflation, interest rate cuts, and rises in wages, means we are cautiously optimistic the global hospitality industry will see further transformation and recovery in the coming year," the firm expressed.
With approximately 230 current locations, Azzurri aims to launch "new sites across all the businesses" over the next year and is eyeing the expansion of the recently acquired Ireland-based Boojum brand in the UK and its home market.
Earlier this month, Azzurri also debuted the first UK outlet of Dave’s Hot Chicken through a franchise agreement with the US chain, endorsed by stars like Drake and Samuel L Jackson.
The Azzurri Group has reported an "encouraging" festive turnover, following the revelation on Wednesday that its revenue soared by 18.3% to £303.1m for the year to June 30. The boost was due to increased sales and the company's expansion strategy.
Earnings have more than doubled, skyrocketing from £14.3mthe previous year to £32.1m this year. The chief of the firm, Steve Holmes, expressed his satisfaction, stating: "We’ve had a successful year with the group continuing to grow both sales and profits.
"It has also been a transformational year for the business strategically as we moved a pure-play restaurant operator into the UK’s leading hospitality investment platform.
"We are cautiously optimistic of an ongoing recovery in hospitality in 2025. We have strong businesses that will continue to thrive and look forward to another year of positive development."