Graysons, the contract caterer and hospitality business backed by former Compass Group chairman Sir Francis Mackay, has signed a deal with Romacorp, Inc, parent company of Tony Roma’s and TR Fire Grill, to launch an initial three new sites in the UK, M&C understands.
As revealed by M&C, Graysons took a stake in the UK-based business of the US casual-dining brand Tony Roma’s, which currently operates one site in Glasgow, earlier this year.
Under the new agreement, Fultons Restaurants, a subsidiary of Graysons, will open new Tony Roma’s and TR Fire Grill restaurants across the UK.
“We’re thrilled to be able to work with someone as knowledgeable about the restaurant industry as Sir Francis Mackay and his team”, said Stephen Judge, president and chief executive officer of Romacorp, Inc. “Sir Francis has been leading innovative food service companies for decades, and we’re confident his strong experience in the UK market will help strengthen our international presence and attract new fans to the Romacorp brands.”
“This new partnership provides a truly exciting opportunity to bring alive the Tony Roma’s brand across the UK, allowing us develop both Tony Roma’s and TR Fire Grill restaurants”, said Dean Sexton, Tony Roma’s UK managing director. “The experience and capability of our fantastic team in Glasgow, Scotland will provide a great springboard for opening additional restaurants in new and iconic locations.”
TR Fire Grill is Romacorp’s newest concept, a chef-inspired American bistro.
The agreement marks the second international development agreement for Romacorp’s new TR Fire Grill. Concept, which launched this month in Winter Park, Florida, and has additional locations planned for Hawaii, Malaysia, and the UK.
Tony Roma’s was launched in the UK in 2004 by entrepreneur Peter Sakal, who remains a stakeholder in the UK business, which sold its other site in Kingston to Five Guys in 2013.
The grill rib concept currently has over 200 restaurants in 33 countries and six continents.
It is aimed at leisure and mid-market consumers and competes with similar US-style brands such as Frankie & Benny’s and TGI Friday.
Led by managing director managing director Tim O’Neill, Graysons is based in Chelmsford and operates at over 30 sites across London and the South of England
It comprises separate Restaurant and Venues divisions.
