Punch to launch West Coast Grill brand

The managed pub arm of Punch Taverns is to launch a new bar brand called West Coast Grill to replace a clutch of outlets that currently trade under the Old Orleans name.

Punch is creating the new concept to replace the nine Old Orleans leasehold businesses that reverted to Punch last year following the collapse of Regent Inns.

West Coast Grill is expected to make its debut in June at a 3,000sq ft unit in Guildford, before being rolled out to the remaining eight sites.

The concept will be food-led, featuring burgers, pizza, steak and possibly Mexican food, and is expected to compete head on with established American-centric brands like Frankie & Benny's.

Most of the sites are on retail parks, located next to cinemas.

Graham Jones, operations director at Punch responsible for new concept development, told M&C: "At the moment we have a name and a site but we are still finalising designs and the menu, which will feature a good spread of American dishes and some key points of difference."

The new brand has been formed out of necessity as the Old Orleans name belongs to Intertain - the new business that emerged from Regent Inns. Punch is obliged to de-badge the nine sites by the end of July.

When Intertain emerged from Regent, about 20 of 80 Regent's businesses were left with administrators, including the nine Old Orleans. These went back to Punch as the leased and managed giant sold the Old Orleans business to Regent in 2006, in a deal worth about £28m, and was therefore the head lessee.