History
The concept was spawned by Luke Johnson in 2000 and, over five years, expanded to thirty restaurants. In September 2005, Richard Caring bought the chain from Johnson for £60m. During this period of ownership, twenty more restaurants were added to the chain and, in May 2007 they, along with five Belgo and Bierodrome restaurants, were acquired by Tragus Group Ltd for £140m, owner of the brands Cafe Rouge, Bella Italia, Potters Bar & Kitchen and Huxleys. In 2007 Targus signed a concession agreement with holiday park operator Center Parcs UK and Ireland This led to the opening of Strada Restaurants at the Company’s Sherwood and Longleat sites and was Expanded in 2014 with the opening of a Strada Restaurant at Center parcs new village in Woburn. Following Strada’s sale in 2014 CDG operated the Center parcs sites as legacy restaurants until 2016 when they were rebranded as Bella Italia. The Woburn site continued to operate as Strada until 2020, when it closed and was rebranded as a new concept restaurant called Amalfi. In September 2012, Strada joined the Nectar loyalty card reward scheme as a redemption partner. In July 2013, Strada began a partnership with the Gourmet Society, offering their members discounts on production of a Gourmet Society restaurant discount card. In September 2014, forty three of Strada restaurants were bought by Hugh Osmond'sCharity
In March 2013, Strada were official partners ofTipping and minimum wage
In June 2009, the company was found to be threatening to dismiss wait staff who do not get customers to pay tips on credit cards rather than in cash. Credit card tips were used by the company to subsidise wages (which are usually the legal minimum) whereas cash tips go directly to wait staff. In line with changes to tipping legislation, which came into effect on 1 October 2009, Tragus Ltd. reviewed and updated its policies to ensure that all tips, after a 10% deduction for administrative and other costs paid by credit or debit card, are now distributed through the payroll system to restaurant staff. All Tragus Group employees are now paid tips in addition to the National Minimum Wage.See also
* Bella Italia * Café Rouge * BelgoReferences
External links
* * {{Authority control 2000 establishments in England British companies established in 2000 Companies based in the City of Westminster Italian restaurants in the United Kingdom Pizza chains of the United Kingdom Restaurant chains in the United Kingdom Restaurants established in 2000