Type Private Website www.strada.co.uk Parent organization Tragus Group | Industry Restaurant CEO James Spragg (May 2014–) | |
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Motto "Tastes from the streets of Italy" Headquarters London, United Kingdom, England, United Kingdom Profiles | ||
Strada restaurant royal festival hall
Strada is a UK chain of restaurants specialising in Italian cuisine. It has 43 (as of February 2015) restaurants, mostly in the South of England with a few in the Midlands, North of England, Wales and Scotland.
Contents
History
The concept was spawned by Luke Johnson in 2000 and, over five years, expanded to 30 restaurants. In 2005, Richard Caring bought the chain from Johnson for £60m.
During this period of ownership, 20 more restaurants were added to the chain and, in May 2007 they, along with 5 Belgo and Bierodrome restaurants, were acquired by Tragus Group Ltd for £140m - owner of the Cafe Rouge, Bella Italia, Potters Bar & Kitchen and Huxleys brands.
In September 2012, Strada joined the Nectar loyalty card reward scheme as a redemption partner.
In July 2013, Strada began a partnership with the Gourmet Society, offering their members discounts on production of a Gourmet Society restaurant discount card.
In September 2014, 43 of Strada restaurants were bought by Hugh Osmond's Sun Capital Partners from Tragus Group for £37m retaining their existing management team, led by James Spragg.
Charity
In 2013, Strada were official partners of 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
Strada serves freshly prepared, regional Italian dishes using seasonal produce. The menu offers hand stretched pizzas, fresh pastas, risotto and grilled meat and fish dishes.
Awards
Tipping and minimum wage
In 2009 the company was found to be threatening to dismiss wait 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 wait staff. 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 Tragus Group employees are now paid tips in addition to the National Minimum Wage.