Tony Macaroni and Nardini's to expand with new restaurants
Italian restaurant group Tony Macaroni and ice cream brand Nardini's have announced plans to expand across the central belt of Scotland, creating up to 300 new jobs.
Six new restaurants will open over the next 18 months in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Cumbernauld, St Andrews and Lanark.
The plan is to increase the number of Tony Macaroni and Nardini's venues from 12 to 20 by 2015.
Bank of Scotland is advising Tony Macaroni on the expansion plans.
Nardini's was established more than 100 years ago at Largs in Ayrshire and Tony Macaroni set up in East Kilbride in October 2007.
Since then, the Italian food empire has expanded across the central belt of Scotland, with venues in Glasgow, Livingston, Largs, Motherwell and Dunfermline.
Sep Marini is managing director of Tony Macaroni, as well as joint owner of Nardini's with business partner David Equi.
He said: "The next 18 months will be an exciting time for the company as we create an even greater choice of venues in new and existing areas, as well as creating a significant number of new jobs."
In 2013, Tony Macaroni secured a £1.5m finance deal with Bank of Scotland to help with acquisition and fit-out costs of freehold restaurant premises in Dunfermline, as well as the refurbishment of another new unit in Glasgow city centre.
In addition, Bank of Scotland also provided a £1.5m refinance deal to assist with the transfer of the Nardini's banking facilities.