The Genuine Dining Co acquires Feng Sushi
The Genuine Dining Co has acquired London-based Japanese restaurant group Feng Sushi, which runs eight restaurants in the capital and specialises in delivery and takeaway.
The move is expected to see the caterer continue to bring the restaurant brand into its B&I contracts, as well as seeing Feng Sushi expand in its own right.
The businesses have already been working together closely thanks to the fact that renowned hospitality entrepreneur Luke Johnson is the chairman and a majority shareholder in both.
As part of the deal, Chris Mitchell, the managing director of the Genuine Dining Co, becomes CEO of Group Genuine, which incorporates the Genuine Dining Co, Signature Dining, Genuine Hotels, and Feng Sushi. Johnson will remain as chairman of the Group Genuine, and Paul Viner, Feng Sushi CEO, will become a board director.
Feng Sushi will run as a separate entity and will continue to be managed and operated by the Feng Sushi management team, which will report into Mitchell.
Nonetheless, Group Genuine said it saw "synergies" between the two brands, with the Genuine Dining Co already pioneering ways to deliver high street brands in to its business and industry contracts across the UK.
Chris Mitchell, CEO of Group Genuine, said: "This is a massively exciting development for us. I have always admired the Feng Sushi product since partnering with Luke seven years ago. I am looking forward to working with the management team of Feng Sushi and developing and expanding the brand through the Genuine Dining Co. "
Paul Viner said: "This is an exciting development for both companies. The synergies have always been very apparent. I am excited about helping to develop Group Genuine as a board director."
Luke Johnson added: "The Genuine Dining Co. has performed well over the last seven years, with significant growth and development of product and brand. I see Feng Sushi as a good fit for Group Genuine. Combining the businesses has many benefits for both parties."
Feng Sushi was founded 1999 by Silla Bjerrum and Jeremy Rose. Bjerrum became managing director in 2008, before Johnson acquired a stake in the business in 2010. After reverting to her preferred role as executive chef in late 2014, Bjerrum left the business in 2015.
Mitchell joined Bright Futures Group, the company that owned Yes Dining!, in 2010. After six months he approached Johnson, who is a shareholder in several other well-known hospitality brands including Patisserie Valerie, 3Sixty Restaurants and the Draft House pub group, and the business was rebranded to the Genuine Dining Co in 2011. Genuine Hotels was launched with Oakwood House in Maidstone Kent. It has since added Penyard House in Herefordshire.
Earlier this year, Genuine Dining Co launched Signature Dining, a new division to cater for the care sector headed up by former Caterplus managing director Paul Robottom. Signature Dining targets catering provision in the care, assisted living and retirement village sectors.
Genuine Dining Company launches care sector business >>
Genuine Dining Co to run coffee shop at 200 Aldersgate >>
Luke Johnson investment ‘unlikely to make Lussmanns overnight City darling' >>
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