Casual Dining Group (CDG), the UK operator of Bella Italia, Cafe Rouge, Las Iguanas and La Tasca, has recruited an experienced senior executive to head its international expansion.
The company, which will soon be operating 300 restaurants across the UK, has appointed Mark Nelson as managing director of international franchising and concessions. His appointment comes as the group sets its sight on significant overseas development.
It follows last year’s opening of a Cafe Rouge restaurant in Dubai and the opening of Bella Italia in India – both in concert with franchise partners. As part of his responsibilities, Nelson – who has been working with the group as a consultant for 12 months – will head a newly-created division of CDG and lead the concessions, which include operations at airports and holiday parks, such as Center Parcs.
Nelson is a former managing director of Elior UK, the contract caterer, and has also held several senior roles at OCS Group, the facilities management company with annual revenues of £900m. He has been working with CDG for 12 months as a consultant.
The appointment follows the departure of Andrew Walker, who stepped down from his position as managing director of business development in February to pursue new opportunities in the wider UK eating-out market.
During an 18-month spell with the group, Walker helped progress a number of significant projects including a new training and development partnership with the Alain Ducasse organisation, and the creation of Cafe Rouge’s Rapide grab-and-go concept.
CEO Steve Richards said, “I am delighted to welcome Mark to the group, who has been instrumental in helping to establish our franchise business. He brings a wealth of experience, which will be important as we take our brands further into the Middle East and Asian markets.
“The board and I would like to place on record our thanks to Andrew Walker for his excellent service and contribution to the group, and we wish him well as he begins the next chapter of his career.”
In other CDG news, the Bella Italia restaurant in India – the brand’s first international location – is set to open later this month at Aerocity in New Delhi, in partnership with Wave Hospitality.