Pesto reveals plans to open at least ten Pesto in a Pub restaurants in 2013

Lord Peter Daresbury, previously chief executive of Greenalls Group (renamed De Vere Group in 2000), and Martin Evans, former La Tasca and Everton Football Club finance director, have both joined the Pesto board of directors.

"I am delighted to have joined Pesto at an exciting time in its development and look forward to helping grow the business over the coming months and years," Evans, who has joined the company as finance director, said today.

Next level​

Revealing the appointments, the company, which was launched in Manchester in 2006, announced it was planning to 'more than double in size in 2013' as part of an aim to become 'the first national brand of its kind'.

"Sara and I are delighted to welcome Peter and Martin to the team," said Gatt who founded the business with his partner Sara Edwards.

"There are few small companies that can boast the vast depth of experience and expertise that we now have sat in the board room. We are all focused on taking Pesto to the next level and beyond," he added.

Pesto in a Pub​

Pesto now operates eight sites including four restaurants in Manchester, Liverpool and Glasgow and four Pesto in a Pub​ branches in Cheshire, Widnes, Bradford and most recently Bromborough. 

The chain launched its pub concept at a Punch Taverns site in Cheshire in November 2011 and last year Gatt explained it had been something of an experiment but had proved so successful it could be ready for a 'flat out' expansion.

Today Gatt announced he was hoping to open at least another ten Pesto in a Pub sites this year alone.

"Our menu, price point, quality and service style has been very successful to date and has proved particularly successful in our pub estate, which will form the basis of our growth strategy for the next year or two," he concluded.