Argentine steak restaurant group, Gaucho Group has appointed Luke Johnson as non-executive chairman of the firm, as the serial entrepreneur and private equity boss purchases a minority stake in the firm.
Johnson, best known for his involvement with Pizza Express, said that he, and the company's private equity owners Equistone, plan to double the size of the restaurant operator's portfolio.
Johnson added, 'I bought a stake in the company because I admire the management team, it's a strong brand and it has massive potential to grow. We plan to double the size of the company over the next few years.'
The group currently operates 14 Gaucho and 18 CAU restaurants across the UK.
Luke Johnson is chairman and part-owner of Patisserie Holdings, Bread Ltd (the firm behind the Gail’s Artisan Bakery chain.), and chairman of Eclectic Bars PLC.
He is chairman/part-owner of Feng Sushi, a London-based chain of Japanese restaurants specialising in home delivery, casual-dining chain 3Sixty Restaurants (comprising Ego Restaurants and Rocket Restaurants) and contract catering firm Genuine Dining.
Johnson is also chairman and part owner of pub group The Draft House, chairman and co-owner of London bar chain Grand Union, Majestic Bingo and Small Batch Coffee.