Strada
Encyclopedia
Strada is a chain of Italian restaurants in the UK. It was spawned by Luke Johnson
. It has 64 restaurants, mostly in the South of England
with a few in the Midlands, North of England and in Wales
. It is positioned as upmarket of Pizza Express
.
In May 2007, the group, with several associated brasseries (2 Belgos and 3 Bierodromes
- April 2008), was acquired by Tragus Ltd.
. owner of the Cafe Rouge
, Bella Italia
, Potters Bar & Kitchen and Huxleys chains.
Strada serves freshly prepared dishes using seasonal produce. The menu offers hand stretched pizzas, fresh pastas, risotto and grilled meat and fish dishes.
In 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 are used by the company to subsidise wages (which are usually the legal minimum) whereas cash tips go directly to wait staff. 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 paid tips in addition to the National Minimum Wage.
Luke Johnson (businessperson)
Luke Oliver Johnson , is a British serial entrepreneur, best known for his involvement with Pizza Express. He is chairman of the Royal Society of Arts and a former chairman of Channel 4. He writes regular columns for the Financial Times newspaper and Management Today magazine...
. It has 64 restaurants, mostly in the South of England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
with a few in the Midlands, North of England and in Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
. It is positioned as upmarket of Pizza Express
Pizza Express
PizzaExpress is a restaurant group with over 400 restaurants across the United Kingdom and 40 overseas in China, Europe, Hong Kong, Japan and the Middle East. It was founded in 1965 by Peter Boizot.In Ireland, PizzaExpress trades under the name Milano....
.
In May 2007, the group, with several associated brasseries (2 Belgos and 3 Bierodromes
Belgo
Belgo is a small chain of London restaurants specializing in simple Belgian cooking and Belgian beer. Belgo is noted for its uber-cool 1990's design and architecture, including kitchens viewable by customers entering the restaurant , and its waiting staff who dress as monks...
- April 2008), was acquired by Tragus Ltd.
Tragus Ltd.
Tragus is a UK limited company which operates restaurants under the brands Cafe Rouge, Strada, and Bella Italia. The company is backed by the Blackstone Group private equity firm.-History:...
. owner of the Cafe Rouge
Café Rouge
Café Rouge is a French-styled restaurant chain in the UK, offering an all-day serving of main course meals, lighter snacks and salads as well as an extensive wine list. It is part of a bigger restaurant network owned by Tragus Ltd.-History:...
, Bella Italia
Bella Italia
Bella Italia is a chain of over 80 Italian restaurants operating in the United Kingdom. The chain is part of the Tragus Group, who also own Café Rouge and Strada....
, Potters Bar & Kitchen and Huxleys chains.
Strada serves freshly prepared dishes using seasonal produce. The menu offers hand stretched pizzas, fresh pastas, risotto and grilled meat and fish dishes.
In 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 are used by the company to subsidise wages (which are usually the legal minimum) whereas cash tips go directly to wait staff. 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 paid tips in addition to the National Minimum Wage.