The DRG eyes further expansion as it posts record results
The group behind the Di Maggio’s and Café Andaluz restaurants has unveiled plans for an £8 million aparthotel above its Anchor Line venue in Glasgow city centre.
The DRG (Di Maggio’s Restaurant Group), which owns 18 outlets across Scotland, plans to open the 64-room development next spring when it is also set to launch a new £2m flagship restaurant and bar development, Registers, in Edinburgh’s St Andrew Square.
In addition to the new venues, The DRG also plans to continue its investment in staff development. Last year, the company became an SQA-accredited training provider offering modern apprenticeships and there are currently 35 employees undertaking SVQs in either Hospitality Services or Hospitality Supervision and Leadership; it aims to expand the programme to 120 apprentices in 2017-2018 and 200 in 2018-2019.
Confirming the investments in new venues and staff training, joint MD Tony Conetta said: “It’s been a strong 12 months but we’re determined not to rest on our laurels. The coming year will see our biggest-ever capital investment in new premises and a huge expansion of professional training programmes for our people, so it’s an exciting time to be involved in the business.”
News of the investments came as The DRG posted record results, with turnover up 12.4% to £33.7m in the year to April 30, 2016, while profits rose 22% to £5.76m. The number of staff increased from 690 to 784.
Joint MD Mario Gizzi said: “Our strategy of reinvesting in the business helps us to set the pace with new restaurant concepts and the latest additions, including The Atlantic in Glasgow and our new Spanish seafood restaurant Cadiz in Edinburgh, are already trading very well.”
