Strada

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}}{{Infobox company

| name = Various Eateries Trading Limited

| logo = Strada logo.svg

| trading_name = Strada

| former_name = Strada Trading Limited (2014–2020)

| type = Private

| foundation = 2000

| location = London, England

| key_people =

| industry = Restaurant

| products =

| revenue =

| operating_income =

| net_income =

| num_employees =

| parent = Sun Capital Partners

| subsid =

| homepage = {{URL|http://strada.co.uk}}

| footnotes =

}}

File:Strada Logo 2012.jpg

File:Strada, Barnes - geograph.org.uk - 1309626.jpg]]

Various Eateries Trading Limited,{{Cite web |date=2014-08-21 |title=VARIOUS EATERIES TRADING LIMITED overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/09185571 |access-date=2023-08-03 |website=Companies House |language=en |archive-date=2 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240902072739/https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/09185571 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Privacy Policy |url=https://strada.co.uk/privacy-policy/ |access-date=2023-08-03 |website=Strada |archive-date=3 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803150721/https://strada.co.uk/privacy-policy/ |url-status=live }} trading as Strada, is a chain based in the United Kingdom of branded restaurants specialising in Italian cuisine with two Strada sites and six Coppa Clubs, all in Southern England.

History

The concept was spawned by Luke Johnson in 2000 and, over five years, expanded to thirty restaurants.{{cite web|title=About Luke Johnson|url=http://www.lukejohnson.org/about|access-date=26 November 2012|archive-date=25 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120725121901/http://www.lukejohnson.org/about|url-status=live}} In September 2005, Richard Caring bought the chain from Johnson for £60m.{{cite web|title=Tragus buys Strada for £140million|url=http://www.bighospitality.co.uk/Business/Tragus-buys-Strada-for-140million|publisher=Big Hospitality|access-date=13 December 2012|archive-date=1 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121201212230/http://www.bighospitality.co.uk/Business/Tragus-buys-Strada-for-140million|url-status=live}}

During this period of ownership, twenty more restaurants were added to the chain and, in May 2007 they, along with five Belgo and Bierodrome restaurants, were acquired by Tragus Group Ltd for £140m,{{cite news|title=Strada restaurant chain sold for £140m|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2007/may/31/14|work=The Guardian|access-date=26 November 2012|location=London|date=31 May 2007|archive-date=2 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240902072609/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2007/may/31/14|url-status=live}} owner of the brands Cafe Rouge, Bella Italia, Potters Bar & Kitchen and Huxleys.

In 2007 Targus signed a concession agreement with holiday park operator Center Parcs UK and Ireland This led to the opening of Strada Restaurants at the Company’s Sherwood and Longleat sites and was Expanded in 2014 with the opening of a Strada Restaurant at Center parcs new village in Woburn. Following Strada’s sale in 2014 CDG operated the Center parcs sites as legacy restaurants until 2016 when they were rebranded as Bella Italia. The Woburn site continued to operate as Strada until 2020, when it closed and was rebranded as a new concept restaurant called Amalfi.{{Cite web |date=2007-07-18 |title=Targus agrees Centre Parcs deal |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/business/business-news/targus-agrees-centre-parcs-deal-998207 |access-date=2024-01-23 |website=Manchester Evening News |language=en |archive-date=2 September 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240902072900/https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/business/business-news/targus-agrees-centre-parcs-deal-998207 |url-status=live }}

In September 2012, Strada joined the Nectar loyalty card reward scheme as a redemption partner.{{cite web|title=Tragus joins Nectar promo|url=http://www.peach-report.com/Marketing/1604947/tragus_joins_nectar_promo.html|publisher=Peach Report|access-date=26 November 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120192420/http://www.peach-report.com/Marketing/1604947/tragus_joins_nectar_promo.html|archive-date=20 January 2013}} In July 2013, Strada began a partnership with the Gourmet Society, offering their members discounts on production of a Gourmet Society restaurant discount card.

In September 2014, forty three of Strada restaurants were bought by Hugh Osmond's Sun Capital Partners from Tragus Group (renamed Casual Dining Group) for £37m, retaining their existing management team, led by James Spragg.{{cite web|title=Hugh Osmond buys 43 Strada restaurants|url=https://www.thecaterer.com/articles/353636/hugh-osmond-buys-43-strada-restaurants-for-37m|publisher=The Caterer|access-date=14 February 2014|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303232944/https://www.thecaterer.com/articles/353636/hugh-osmond-buys-43-strada-restaurants-for-37m|url-status=live}} In 2017, over twenty restaurants closed, in turn, many other branded restaurant companies also closed many sites in 2017 and 2018.

As of {{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTYEAR}}, Strada has one site in London Southbank and thirteen Coppa club sites (with two sites of Strada turning into one Coppa Club).

Charity

In March 2013, Strada were official partners of Comic Relief, the British charity founded in 1985 that aims to "bring about positive and lasting change in the lives of poor and disadvantaged people."

Tipping and minimum wage

In June 2009, the company was found to be threatening to dismiss wait staff who do not get customers to pay tips on credit cards rather than in cash. Credit card tips were used by the company to subsidise wages (which are usually the legal minimum) whereas cash tips go directly to wait staff.{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2009/jun/28/restaurant-chains-scare-tactics-gratuities | work=The Guardian | location=London | title=Cafe waiters fear the axe over cash tips | date=28 June 2009 | access-date=24 May 2010 | first=Jamie | last=Elliott | archive-date=2 September 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240902072645/https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2009/jun/28/restaurant-chains-scare-tactics-gratuities | url-status=live }}

In line with changes to tipping legislation, which came into effect on 1 October 2009, Tragus Ltd. reviewed and updated its policies to ensure that all tips, after a 10% deduction for administrative and other costs paid by credit or debit card, are now distributed through the payroll system to restaurant staff. All Tragus Group employees are now paid tips in addition to the National Minimum Wage.{{cite web|title=Strada Tips & Service Charge|url=http://www.strada.co.uk/service-charge|publisher=Strada|access-date=20 November 2012|archive-date=15 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015000337/http://www.strada.co.uk/service-charge|url-status=live}}