Prezzo plans to step up expansion - graduate jobs

Graduates looking for job opportunities in the restaurant and hospitality sector will be interested in the news that Prezzo is planning further expansion after a profits boost.

The pizza and pasta restaurant chain saw underlying profits for the year to January 2 go up by a better-than-expected 12% to £14.4 million.

Revenues stood at £104.8 million - 15% higher from the previous year - as Prezzo revived its growth plan, which had nearly stalled amid the recession in 2009.

It plans to add 20 new outlets to its existing 160 this year and has already acquired six more Caffe Uno restaurants under a £550,000 deal.

After opening just two new sites the previous year, in 2010 the group paid £3 million for 11 Caffe Uno outlets that were re-branded as Prezzo and Chimichanga.

Among the 20 new openings last year were outlets in city centre locations such as Aberdeen, Cardiff and Glasgow. Prezzo also invested in refurbishment of 18 of its restaurants.