Casual Dining Group begins Rapide expansion

By Sophie Witts

- Last updated on GMT

CDG launched its first grab-and-go site in London in 2014
CDG launched its first grab-and-go site in London in 2014

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Casual Dining Group (CDG) is to launch its French grab-and-go concept Rapide in Inverness Airport in mid-September, with plans to expand across the UK.

Described as serving ‘French food, fast’, the six-cover unit will offer hot and cold baguettes, drinks, pastries and snacks such as croque monsieur.

CDG – which owns brands including Café Rouge and Bella Italia – has signed a seven-year deal with the airport that will see it serve up locally-sourced salmon, smoked trout and cheeses.

Café Rouge launched the group’s first grab-and-go concept at Victoria Place,​ London in 2014, followed by a second in Euston Station last year.

Rapide will be the first standalone express site not part of a larger restaurant chain.

Mark Nelson, CDG’s managing director of concessions and international franchising, said the group was looking to launch further express outlets nationwide.

“[Rapide] will help us develop a presence in Scotland as we seek to open other express outlets north of the border, while at the same time looking at opportunities at major airports in England,” said Nelson.

“And with each new grab-and-go site like this we’re refining the Rapide idea, which sees us offer quality food and drink from units with very small physical footprints.”

The planned expansion comes after CDG acquired the Las Iguanas chain​ for c.£90m and La Tasca for c.£25m last year.

CDG employs over 10,000 people in its 300 UK restaurants and serves more than 20m meals a year.

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