Chief executive leaves Mustard
Mustard Entertainment Restaurants has parted company with its chief executive Stephen Evans (pictured) after the failure of the group's Brannigans chain to expand as quickly as originally planned.
The company is also closing its accounts office in Birmingham, with the loss of seven jobs, as it streamlines the business to deal with the reality of a smaller-than-planned operation.
Mr Evans headed the management buy-out team which acquired the Brannigans chain from First Leisure in June 2000. However, the management structure of the business was top heavy, according to executive chairman Allan Thomson. "The original management team was geared towards rapid expansion. A structure that is more in keeping with a slower rate of development will progressively be put in place," he said.
Brannigans has expanded from 15 outlets at the beginning of this year to 20. However, a restaurant venture in Birmingham's Star City leisure development, Mustard, was closed earlier this year. Plans by Mustard to develop a chain of American-themed restaurants have also failed to materialise.
Mr Thomson said: "We are looking at a period of consolidation, focusing on the core values of Brannigans - great music and live entertainment."
Mr Evans will pursue other business interests, including his role as chairman of conference centre group First! Venues. He is also a member of the Restaurant Association national committee.
Related stories:
Star City dealt blow by Mustard closure (02 May 2001)
Brannigans expands with £3.2m spend (03 April 2001)
Cutting the mustard: profile of Mustard Entertainment Restaurants (26 March 2001)
Brannigans owner fights for Star City (14 March 2001)
Star City loses its shine after trouble (23 October 2000)
Mustard Entertainment Restaurant takes over Brannigans (10 July 2000)
