Bella Italia
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| File:Bella Italia Logo 2012.jpg | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Headquarters | London, UK |
| Parent | Casual Dining Group |
| Website | www.bellaitalia.co.uk |
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Bella Italia (formerly known as Bella Pasta) is a chain of over 90 Italian restaurants operating in the United Kingdom.[1] The chain is part of the Casual Dining Group, who also own Café Rouge and Las Iguanas.
History
Bella Italia started life as two small restaurant chains - Pastificio and Pizzaland - which were part of the Grand Metropolitan group.[2]
In 1990, Michael Guthrie (former Chairman of Mecca Leisure Group) formed BrightReasons and bought the Pizzaland and Pastificio chains from Grand Metropolitan for £20m in February 1991, rebranding Pastificio to Bella Pasta in the process.[3]
In February 1993, BrightReasons purchased 43 Pizza Piazza and Prima Pasta restaurants from Rank Organisation for £20.25m,[4] bringing their total number of restaurants to 165.
In May 1994, BrightReasons started preparing for a stock market flotation, and the group was expected to be valued at between £70m-£100m.[5] This was subsequently announced in September,[6] however, in November 1994, the planned flotation was postponed.[7]
In November 1996, BrightReasons was put up for sale[8] after suffering a particularly tough trading period in 1995.[9]
In December 2002, the Bella Pasta chain was rebranded as Bella Italia and the first fully branded restaurant opened in Leeds.
In September 2012, Bella Italia joined the Nectar loyalty card reward scheme as a redemption partner.[10]
In September 2013, Bella Italia began a partnership with the Gourmet Society, offering their members discounts on production of a Gourmet Society restaurant discount card.
Charity
In June 2012, Bella Italia began officially supporting The Children's Society by donating some of the profit from a selected dish on the menu to the charity.
In 2013, Bella Italia officially partnered with 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."
Food
The menu combines pizza and pasta, which is their main product, with a range of grill and speciality dishes. The food is complemented by some Italian wines - many from smaller producers - beers and soft drinks.[11]
Tipping and minimum wage
In 2009 the company was found to be threatening to dismiss waiting 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 waiting staff.[12] 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 restaurant employees are paid tips in addition to the National Minimum Wage.[13]
Environmental record
In November 2015 the chain received the worst rating of all restaurants surveyed in an assessment of the sustainability of its seafood.[14]
See also
References
- ^ http://www.tragusgroup.com/brands/bella-italia
- ^ Nisse, Jason (19 January 1994). "Facing away from Mecca: Michael Guthrie has learned the dangers of debt". London: The Independent. Retrieved 27 November 2012.
- ^ Blackhurst, Chris. "My best deal - The business rejuvenator - MICHAEL GUTHRIE". Management Today. Retrieved 27 November 2012.
- ^ Murray, John (20 February 1993). "BrightReasons buys Rank food outlets". London: The Independent. Retrieved 27 November 2012.
- ^ "BrightReasons prepares for flotation". Caterer and Hotelkeeper. Retrieved 27 November 2012.
- ^ "Guthrie serves £70m flotation". Caterer and Hotelkeeper. Retrieved 27 November 2012.
- ^ "BrightReasons stalls flotation". Caterer and Hotelkeeper. Retrieved 27 November 2012.
- ^ Cope, Nigel (2 November 1996). "Whitbread eyes pounds 40m BrightReasons sites". London: The Independent. Retrieved 27 November 2012.
- ^ Sangster, Andrew. "BrightReasons in sales talks after tough 1995". Caterer and Hotelkeeper. Retrieved 27 November 2012.
- ^ "Tragus joins Nectar promo". Peach Report. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
- ^ "Bella Italia Menus". Bella Italia.
- ^ Elliott, Jamie (28 June 2009). "Cafe waiters fear the axe over cash tips". London: The Guardian. Retrieved 21 November 2012.
- ^ "Bella Italia Service Charge". Bella Italia.
- ^ http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/nov/18/family-restaurant-chains-unsustainable-seafood-wagamama-bella-italia