After buying back its franchise from Irish investors, chain restaurant Carluccio's now plan to open 6 new restaurants across Ireland. The UK-based group currently own one establishment in Ireland which is situated on Dawson's Street and holds a staff of 50 employees. The restaurant is undergoing a refurbishment worth €250,000 and is due to reopen in November.
Carluccio's faced high rents, which allegedly amounted to €680,000 each year. In 2006, the buildings housing the store were bought for €20 million by investors Alison Rohan, National Asset Management Agency's senior executive, financier Deirdre Foley and former AIB chairman Dermot Gleeson.
The outlet's accounts for the year to the end of September 2011, show its losses grew from €2.6 million to €3 million during the 12 months. At one stage in 2010, the store closed for one week in order to get a reduction in its rent, which was successful.
Simon Kossoff, Carluccio's chief executive told the Irish Independent that he hopes to open chains in Dublin, Cork and Belfast.
