Morristown, NJ (RestaurantNews.com) Today, Villa Enterprises, announced a company name change to Villa Restaurant GroupSM effective immediately. Villa Restaurant Group is a multi-brand restaurant operator and franchisor with a global portfolio of nearly 400 restaurants in 41 states and Puerto Rico, as well as 8 other countries.
“We are very excited about the introduction of our new company name,” said chief executive officer, Anthony Scotto. “The new Villa Restaurant Group name conveys our company’s 51 year focus on high-quality food service and management, and enables us to better represent who we are and introduce new brands under its umbrella.”
Villa Restaurant Group, (previously known as Villa Enterprises), is made up of three groups:
- Core Franchised Brands – Villa Italian Kitchen, Green Leaf’s – Beyond Great Salads, Bananas Smoothies & Frozen Yogurt, and the newly remodeled and renamed, South Philly Cheesesteaks and Fries.
- Emerging Brands – Those innovative and creative restaurants created in an effort to grow into new locations – Mo’ Burger, Far East Asian Fire, Sukotto Japanese Grill, Tinta Mexicana, Croissanterie and The Market.
- 40North Group – Villa Restaurant Group full service division of casual and fine dining restaurants including Piattino, Black Horse Tavern / Pub, OFFICE Beer Bar & Grill, George and Martha’s, Steelworks, and their newest, the Office Tavern Grill in Morristown, NJ.
“Changing our name to Villa Restaurant Group finalizes an ongoing shift in corporate strategy that has been underway for the past few years,” added Scotto. “While we take great pride in what we’ve accomplished to-date, we will continue to grow and innovate. “
Some significant company news this year, Villa was awarded the contract to transform the Orlando International Airport, Airside 2 food court into an exciting unique concept, “Food Hall by Villa”, featuring a mix of proprietary and partner brands, on track to open February 2016.
“Although the Orlando airport is our largest airport venture to date, we have had many locations in airports over the years, and continue to build solid relationships in those venues for future growth,” Scotto continued.
“A big advantage Villa has over other franchisors is that we have multiple restaurant concepts to choose from, and our project management team can have a single unit up and operating in six months or less.” continued Scotto.
“We maintain a small infrastructure and are a debt-free private company, so by using our own capitol to re-invest, we can make things happen fast. “
Villa Restaurant Group will finish this year with the opening of 24 new restaurants in the United States. Internationally, Villa Restaurant Group has opened two new locations this year with several new restaurants under development in Mexico, Italy and Azerbaijan. In the United States, developments for Villa’s full service 40North Group includes two restaurants opening close to the home office—a second location of the popular Piattino neighborhood bistro, and a second new prototype of the Office Tavern Grill, both opening in Summit, New Jersey before the end of the year.
Along with the new name, the Company has launched a new enhanced website designed by MoPro out of Costa Mesa, California, at www.villarestaurantgroup.com, with an updated design and user experience that aligns with their global brand experience. Visitors will find improved navigation whether on desktop or mobile, with fewer clicks to find desired brands, locations and menu information more readily and easily. Additionally, the improved site makes better use of brand generated content, photos and videos, and features imagery that best represents Villa Restaurant Group and all its brands.
About Villa Restaurant GroupSM (previously known as Villa Enterprises)
Villa Restaurant Group is a global multi-brand restaurant operator and franchisor. Founded in 1964 by Michele Scotto, a Naples, Italy native, Villa Restaurant Group, began as a small pizzeria next to the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City. Today, Villa Restaurant Group is an international organization that recently celebrated its 51st anniversary with nearly 400 quick-serve restaurants in malls, airports, casinos and other high-traffic locations.
Villa’s QSR brands, including Villa Italian Kitchen, Villa Pizza, Green Leaf’s Beyond Great Salads, Bananas Smoothies & Frozen Yogurt, South Philly Cheesesteaks & Fries and Far East, can be found across 41 U.S. states, Puerto Rico and eight additional countries. Villa also operates 12 full-service restaurants in suburban New Jersey under the 40North Group brand including The Black Horse Tavern & Pub, The Office, Steelworks Buffet & Grill, Piattino and George & Martha’s. For more information, please visit www.villarestaurantgroup.com.
Contact:
Linda Duke
415-492-4534
duke@dukemarketing.com
