Loungers named Restaurant Group of the Year at R200 Awards
Loungers, which operates the Lounge and Cosy Club brands was named Restaurant Group of the Year (over 20 sites). The award comes off the back of a record year for the casual dining group, which has opened more than 25 venues in the past 12 months and which intends to accelerate its growth in the coming year. It also recently announced the launch of roadside dining brand Brightside, the first site of which will open next year.
Rudy’s Pizza, which is part of the Mission Mars group, took home the Restaurant Group of the Year title for a brand with fewer than 20 sites. The brands has grown steadily across the north west and is due to open its 15th venue next month, in Liverpool's Albert Dock, its third location in the city.
The awards, organised by Restaurant magazine and held last night (15 November) in Manchester at Ramona and The Firehouse, recognise excellence in the multi-site restaurant space as voted for by industry peers. Other winners on the night included Peach Pubs, which was named Food-led Pub Group of 2022; Boparan Restaurant Group, which took home the Innovation Award for its move into retail with its Cinnamon Kitchen and Slim Chickens brands; and Wagamama, which won the Menu Innovation Award for making 50% of its menu plant based.
Martin Williams’ M Canary Wharf, was named Best New Opening, and chef Jimmy Lee’s Salt & Chilli Oriental concept was named One to Watch, while Pizza Pilgrims took home the Sustainability Award, judged by the Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA).
“The crusty craftsmen had the chance to open a restaurant at London department store Selfridges. They decided if they were to take up this unique opportunity, they had to grasp it with both hands, build on the good practices they already had in place while also going a whole lot further, using it as a test bed for a way more innovative approach, with new suppliers and ways of doing things. A year on from opening their doors on the top floor of the iconic Oxford Street shop, they’ve achieved their goal, and more,” says the SRA.
“From the moment diners sit down they can touch and feel the difference. All the timber in the fitout comes from FSC sources and the seats are upholstered with natural leather alternative made from pineapple waste. Upcycled plastic bottles have been transformed into terrazzo style table tops.
“This high-end hub of innovation is a template not just for the whole Pizza Pilgrims group as it continues to grow but for all multi-site restaurant businesses. And as the whole company progresses towards net zero with the help of Net Zero Now, Pizza Pilgrims has produced an award-winning performance.”
Mayur Patel and Marko Husak, which run the Indian food and craft beer restaurant group Bundobust, with sites in Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester, were named People of the Year.
The full list of winners:
Best New Opening, sponsored by Shelley Sandzer – M Canary Wharf
One to Watch, sponsored by Shield Safety – Salt & Chilli Oriental
Scalable Concept Award, sponsored by Iconic Project Management – Burger & Beyond
Sustainability Award, sponsored by Victoria Malaga – Pizza Pilgrims
Menu Innovation Award, sponsored by Orderpay – Wagamama
Campaign of the Year, sponsored by Just Eat – Nando’s
Food-led Pub Group, sponsored by Net Zero – Peach Pubs
Best Value Restaurant Group, sponsored by Entegra – Marugame Udon
Omnichannel Brand of the Year, sponsored by Zonal – Dishoom
Restaurant Group of the Year (under 20 sites), sponsored by Zonal – Rudy’s Pizza
Restaurant Group of the Year (over 20 sites), sponsored by Just Eat – Loungers
Innovation Award, sponsored by Chapman Ventilation – Boparan Restaurant Group
People of the Year, sponsored by Poppleston Allen - Mayur Patel and Marko Husak, Bundobust
