Las Iguanas

File:Las Iguanas .jpg

The first Las Iguanas opened on St Nicholas Street, Bristol, in April 1991,{{cite web|title=Our History|url=http://www.iguanas.co.uk/about|publisher=Las Iguanas|accessdate=16 June 2017}} offering a Latin American-themed menu. A further 53 restaurants have opened in the UK including Bath, Birmingham, Manchester, London and Edinburgh.{{cite web|title=Las Iguanas – Locations|url=http://www.iguanas.co.uk/restaurants|publisher=Las Iguanas|accessdate=16 June 2017}}

In 2003, the group acquired its own Cachaça sugar cane field and distillery on the Fazenda do Anil estate, outside Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.{{cite news|title=Allegra Restaurants Brand Portal – Las Iguanas – Overview|url=http://www.restaurantportal.co.uk/Brand-Profiles/Profiles/Las-Iguanas/1-Overview.aspx|accessdate=15 April 2015|publisher=Allegra Restaurants|date=15 April 2015}}

One of the co-founders, Ajith Jaya-Wickrema, left Las Iguanas in August 2009 to start a Caribbean-themed restaurant chain, Turtle Bay.{{cite web|title= Las Iguanas founder leaves for 'other opportunities'|url=http://www.bighospitality.co.uk/People/Las-Iguanas-founder-leaves-for-other-opportunities|publisher=Big Hospitality|accessdate=16 April 2015}} The first overseas branch of Las Iguanas was opened under franchise in Gibraltar in July 2018.{{cite web|url=http://iguanas.gi/|title=Las Iguanas Gibraltar|website=iguanas.gi}}

Las Iguanas was bought by Casual Dining Group in June 2015.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bighospitality.co.uk/Article/2015/07/07/Casual-Dining-Group-acquires-Las-Iguanas|title=Casual Dining Group Acquires Las Iguanas}} In 2016 the first Las Iguanas Restaurant at Center parcs, opening at their Longleat resort. This has Since Expanded to Other Center Parcs sites. In light of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, in May 2020 Casual Dining Group announced that it was working with advisors on next steps for the overall business as a prudent measure to protect the company whilst planning for the future.{{Cite web|url=https://www.casualdininggroup.com/noi/|title=Notice of Intention|website=Casual Dining Group}} On 2 July 2020, the company entered administration,{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-53270679|title=Café Rouge and Bella Italia owner falls into administration|work=BBC News|date=2 July 2020}} with 11 branches of Las Iguanas set to close.{{cite news| url= https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/jul/02/bella-italia-owner-falls-into-administration-with-loss-of-1900-jobs| title= Bella Italia owner falls into administration, with loss of 1,900 jobs| work=The Guardian| date=2 July 2020| accessdate=2 July 2020}} In August 2020 Casual Dining Group was acquired by the British private-equity firm Epiris and relaunched as The Big Table.{{cite news|title=Epiris – The Big Table – acquires Las Iguanas, Bella Italia and Café Rouge|url=https://www.hospitalityandcateringnews.com/2020/08/epiris-acquires-las-iguanas/|date=1 August 2020|website=Hospitality and Catering News}}

File:Xinxim.jpg

Las Iguanas menus include Latin American food such as nachos, burritos, xinxim, fajitas and tapas, along with steaks and burgers. They include vegetarian and vegan options such as veggie chilli, moqueca and empanadas, and gluten-free options. Las Iguanas is approved by the Vegetarian Society.{{cite web|title=Las Iguanas – Book Now|url=http://www.iguanas.co.uk/restaurants|publisher=Las Iguanas|accessdate=16 June 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.vegsocapproved.com/FDG/Details/73292|title=Vegsoc Approved|website=vegsocapproved.com}}

File:Las iguanas deansgate.jpg

Las Iguanas made it on to the 2019 Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to work for in 26th place.{{cite web|url=https://www.b.co.uk/the-lists/mid-companies/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190822230453/https://www.b.co.uk/the-lists/mid-companies/|archive-date=22 August 2019|title=Best 100 Mid Companies|website=Best Companies}} The list celebrates UK companies with the highest levels of staff engagement. Las Iguanas also made the list in 2015 and 2013.{{cite news|title=Las Iguanas celebrate Sunday Times Top 100 ranking|url=http://www.hospitalityandcateringnews.com/2015/01/las-iguanas-celebrate-sunday-times-top-100-ranking/|accessdate=15 April 2015|publisher=Hospitality & Catering News|date=5 January 2015}} Las Iguanas retained the Investors in People Gold award in 2015 and also holds IiP Champion status. The company held a Glassdoor.co.uk rating of 4.5 and a 92% approval rating of MD Mos Shamel in July 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.glassdoor.co.uk/Overview/Working-at-Las-Iguanas-EI_IE524326.11,22.htm|title=Working at Las Iguanas|website=Glassdoor}} Shamel stepped down from his role in July 2019, handing over to Julie McEwan who was promoted to brand director.{{cite web|url=http://www.propelinfo.com/pi-Newsletter-tue.php?datetime=20190723080000|title=CDG reshapes leadership team, half-year like-for-likes up 3%|date=23 July 2019|website=Propel Newsletter}} In December 2019 Las Iguanas was recognised as the top-rated hospitality business on the Glassdoor Best Places to Work 2020 list, ranking 11th overall.{{cite web|url=https://www.glassdoor.co.uk/Award/Best-Places-to-Work-UK-LST_KQ0,22.htm|title=Best Places to Work UK|website=Glassdoor|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191216113444/https://www.glassdoor.co.uk/Award/Best-Places-to-Work-UK-LST_KQ0,22.htm|archive-date=16 December 2019}}

Las Iguanas won best restaurant drinks offer at the Restaurant Magazine R200 Awards in October 2014.{{cite news|title=Bills Wins Operator of the Year at R200 Awards|url=http://www.bighospitality.co.uk/Events-Awards/Bill-s-R200-Awards|accessdate=7 July 2015|publisher=BigHospitality|date=7 November 2014}}

It won the overall award at the National Burger Awards 2017 with the Buenos Aires Burger.{{Cite web | url=http://www.nationalburgerawards.co.uk/ |title = National Burger Awards}} It won Best Non-traditional Cuban Sandwich and was runner up in World's Best Traditional Cuban Sandwich at the International Cuban Sandwich Festival in Tampa, Florida in April 2018.{{cite web|url=http://www.thecubansandwichfestival.com/|title=Winners of 7th Annual Cuban Sandwich Festival|year=2018|website=The Cuban Sandwich Festival|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180601141114/http://www.thecubansandwichfestival.com/|archivedate=1 June 2018}}

In August 2015 the tips policy operated by Las Iguanas was the subject of press reports. Staff were required to pay back 3% of all sales (4.4% in London) to the company at the end of every shift out of their tips. Some staff said that this charge was taken even when they had received no tips for some tables forcing them to "pay to work". Las Iguanas, however, said that the charge was never taken from staff wages. Since then an internal vote held amongst all staff has agreed a new policy.

100% of cash tips are now shared by the team. When tips or service charge are paid for by a credit card or debit card, 100% also goes to employees. Tips and service charges are in addition to the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage.{{cite web|url=https://www.iguanas.co.uk/ourpolicy|title=Las Iguanas|website=iguanas.co.uk}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/aug/23/restaurant-tipping-policy-forces-waiters-to-pay-to-work|title=Restaurants' tipping policy 'forces waiters to pay to work'|first=Lisa|last=Bachelor|date=22 August 2015|website=The Guardian}}

{{reflist}}

• {{Commons category inline|Las Iguanas}}
• {{Official website|https://www.iguanas.co.uk}}

{{Establishments serving chicken}}

{{UK Food}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Iguanas, las}}

Category:Restaurant franchises

Category:Companies based in Bristol

Category:Fast casual restaurants

Category:Restaurants established in 1991

Category:1991 establishments in England