Big Table Group appoints managing director for newly-acquired leisure division

Big Table Group has appointed Debbie Husband as managing director for the leisure division group of restaurants it acquired from the Restaurant Group (TRG) for just £1.

Husband, who will join the business in October, most recently worked as managing director at Rank Group Plc, the operator of Grosvenor and Mecca casinos.

She previously spent 15 years at Travelodge in a range of senior operational roles.

TRG, which operates Wagamama, paid £7.5m to Big Table Group to take the struggling leisure division off its hands earlier this month.

The portfolio includes 75 restaurants under the Frankie & Benny's Chiquito, Firejacks, Coast to Coast, Filling Station, and EST brands.

Big Table Group said the move would complement its existing group of restaurants, which include the Las Iguanas, Bella Italia and Banana Tree brands.

James Pidduck will be taking on the finance director role for the leisure division and will retain his current role as finance director for Bella Italia.

The deal is expected to complete at the end of October 2023 and will take the Big Table Group to operating over 220 restaurants across the UK.