Rooney Anand steps down as Casual Dining Group chairman
Anand joined the business in late 2018, having previously spent 14 years at the helm of pubco Greene King.
The specific reasons behind his departure are yet to be confirmed.
CDG, which owns the Bella Italia, Café Rouge and Las Iguanas brands, announced earlier this month that it had entered administration, with 91 sites in its c.250-strong restaurant estate closed with immediate effect.
Clare Kennedy, Peter Saville, Daniel Imison and Catherine Williamson of Alix Partners LLP were appointed joint administrators, ahead of an expected sale of the business.
The closures have impacted 1,909 employees in CDG's 5,959-strong workforce.
At the time the group said its board had determined that, given the 'extreme operating environment' that had been exacerbated by the Coronavirus pandemic, it was in the best interests of all stakeholders for the group to enter administration.
It added that the decision would enable the group to conclude negotiations with landlords regarding the estate.
Former TGI Friday’s backer Epiris is understood to be in advanced talks to buy the business.
CDG confirmed to BigHospitality that Anand had stepped down, but declined to comment further on the matter.
