Kris Dungey, who previously worked for SA Brain, SSP and JD Wetherspoon, has stepped down as chief operating officer/head of the Kout Food Group UK, after just over a year in the role, MCA understands.
The departure of Dungey, who was previously group head of operations at Brains, comes amid speculation that the Kuwait-based Kout Food Group is looking to further reduce its exposure to the UK market.
The group has already placed its Maison Blanc business and Cha Cha Moon restaurant in the market, and MCA understands that it could be looking at options for its c70-strong Little Chef brand, which it acquired in 2013, in a deal valued at c£15m.
Starbucks, Costa and Eurogarages have all previously been linked with the roadside brand.
Kout also currently operates 30 Burger King sites, eight KFC franchise sites and over 20 Costa franchise units in the UK.
It also owns franchises for Burger King, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and Applebee’s in Kuwait.
At the start of this month, MCA revealed that Patisserie Holdings, the AIM-list parent company of Patisserie Valerie, was in advanced talks to acquire Maison Blanc, the patisserie chain founded by Raymond Blanc.
MCA revealed in September that Kout had appointed advisors as part of a strategic review of the brand’s 13 sites and production facility.
In October, Christie + Co, which is marketing Cha Cha Moon, said that the Carnaby Street-based restaurant had received interest from dozens of parties – from existing national and international operators to independent entrepreneurs.
