CCR to expand its menu
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.THE RETIREMENT of Phillip Kaye, founder of City Centre Restaurants, the Deep Pan Pizza, Garfunkels and Chiquito eateries group, is expected to lead to a takeover spree that could take CCR into other leisure areas and even herald a change of name.
Last week Mr Kaye, 62, ceased to be an executive director of CCR, eight months after stepping down from chief executive in favour of James Naylor, co-founder of Whitegate Leisure. Mr Kaye was then put in charge of new business development, but is said to want to wind down after the death of his brother Reginald last year.
Mr Naylor told the Independent on Sunday: 'If we had the opportunity to move into another area that was leisure- based, I would not say no.'
When Mr Naylor was running Whitegate, since renamed Northern Leisure, it was in discos and bowling alleys. More recently he was in charge of MAM Leisure, an amusement machines operator that was wound up by its parent, Chrysalis Group.
A move to turn CCR into a more broadly based leisure company would almost inevitably lead to its name being changed to reflect the new strategy, possibly to City Centre Group.
Mr Naylor stressed that his priority was to give CCR's existing brands more branches, adding 10 to its 165 restaurants this year, 15 to 20 in 1995 and more than 20 in 1996.
In the process, he said, he may might 'go up a notch' to outlets charging around pounds 15 a head for meals, compared with the existing chains' pounds 5 to pounds 11 price range.
'We don't want to sit on our cash,' he said. 'We want to do some deals to expand the company. There is no reason why we have to stick with the present names we have. In this business, if you stand still you die.'
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments