Individual Restaurants announces leadership changes

Off the back of a strong festive trading period, Individual Restaurants, the group behind Piccolino, Riva Blu, Restaurant Bar & Grill and Forbici, has announced a number of changes to its leadership team.

Across the business’ portfolio of brands, Francesco Fiore has been appointed managing director for Piccolino and Tolga Sen has been appointed as director of operations for Restaurant Bar & Grill, Riva Blu, Forbici and new concepts. 

To support its next phase of growth, promotions within Individual Restaurants at a group level include Toni Dennan becoming group marketing and sales director and Samantha Dhaliwal being raised to concept and international director. 

“We’ve been deliberate about building the right leadership foundations for this next stage," says Andrew Garton, CEO of Individual Restaurants. "These changes give us sharper focus, stronger accountability and the confidence to grow, not just our existing, well established and much loved brands, but the new ideas and dining concepts that will define our future.”

Feeling festive

Individual Restaurants delivered a strong festive performance, closing the year with record New Year’s Eve trading.

Across the Christmas period, total sales grew 6% year-on-year. New Year’s Eve delivered the strongest result in the company’s history, with sales up 10% year-on-year.

Looking ahead, Individual Restaurants is positioning 2026 as a defining year, with a focus on brand growth, guest loyalty and innovation.

"Our restaurants are built around special occasions, great food, exceptional hospitality and the people who bring those moments to life," adds Garton. "In a challenging trading environment, our teams rose to the occasion this Christmas, delivering record results when it mattered most and I couldn’t be prouder.

"As we move into 2026, our focus is firmly on growth in the UK and overseas. We have new concepts in development, fresh ideas ready to bring to market and a leadership team built to turn ambition into action."

Image: Ben Carpenter

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