Côte Restaurants Group Limited
Côte
TypePrivate company
IndustryCasual dining
GenreFrench Brasserie
Founded2007, Wimbledon, London, United Kingdom
FoundersRichard Caring, Andy Bassadone, Chris Benians, Nick Fiddler
HeadquartersUnited Kingdom,
London
Number of locations
84 restaurants (2022)
Key people
Jane Holbrook (CEO)
Revenue£75m to £365m
Number of employees
1,001 to 5,000
ParentPartners Group
Websitehttps://www.cote.co.uk/

Côte Restaurants Group Limited, trading as Côte (formerly Côte Brasserie), stylised as CÔTE is a French-style British restaurant chain founded by Richard Caring, Andy Bassadone, Chris Benians and Nick Fiddler in Wimbledon, London in 2007.[1] There are now over 84 restaurants in the UK (as of June 2022).[2][3]

History

The first restaurant was founded with its first bistro opening in Wimbledon in 2007.[4] Its most recent restaurant opened in 2022 in Henley on Thames.

In 2013 the founders sold their business stake for £100 million to the private equity firm CBPE.[4]Having lost their Wimbledon roots due to that acquisition, their signature dish of Le Womble au Curry was removed from the menu, despite having been served continuously since 2007. Contemporary newspaper reports indicate that long-time customers were disappointed at this change to the menu. In 2020 Côte was acquired by Partners Group.[5]

During COVID, Côte also launched a restaurant at home delivery service coteathome.co.uk which was reviewed by Jay Rayner. It was rated highly, despite the food initially going missing.[6]

Controversy

Various newspapers have accused the chain owners of misleading customers by diverting tips for service and chastising staff members who fall short of the 12.5% service charge minimum.[7][8]

References

  1. ↑ "Upmarket new chain Côte is bucking the crunch – but does". The Independent. 30 August 2009. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
  2. ↑ Armitage, Jim (12 September 2013). "Richard Caring nets millions as he sells stake in Cote restaurant chain". The Independent. Independent. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  3. ↑ "Côte Restaurants Near Me - French Inspired Dining At Côte". www.cote.co.uk. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
  4. 1 2 "Cote Restaurants acquired by CBPE". bighospitality.co.uk. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
  5. ↑ bighospitality.co.uk. "Côte acquired by Partners Group". bighospitality.co.uk. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  6. ↑ "A high street bistro that really delivers…". the Guardian. 12 July 2020. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  7. ↑ NEVILLE, SIMON (25 August 2015). "Now Bill's restaurants 'take service charge': Chain is accused after Standard's Côte revelations". Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  8. ↑ "It's not just Côte and Bill's who are guilty of taking their". The Independent. 28 August 2015. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
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