Graham Turner named chair of re-named restaurant body

Graham Turner, chief executive officer of Tragus Holdings, owner of the Café Rouge, Bella Italia and Strada restaurant chains, has been appointed the new chairman of the re-named National Restaurants Group (NRG).

The NRG, previously the Restaurant Chains Group, is a committee of major branded restaurant companies set up by the British Hospitality Association.

It was created in 2006 and the first chairman was Tony Hughes, then of Mitchells & Butlers.

Members of the 18 strong group include, Carluccio's, McDonalds, Mitchells & Butlers, Paramount, the Restaurant Group, Pizza Express, Burger King Starbucks, Tragus Holdings and Whitbread.

In all, the group represents over 12,000 outlets employing 175,000 staff across the UK.

Graham Turner said that he believed that the new title of the group gave a clearer indication of the size and economic importance of the chains sector within the hospitality industry.

"Bringing the national groups together enables us to project the size and scope of the £8bn restaurant industry. ​

"We also will be able to lead on particular issues affecting branded restaurants, with the strength to lobby strongly on their behalf," he said.