Comptoir Group closes two sites after ‘challenging’ year

Comptoir Group has closed two restaurants following a “challenging” 12 months for the business.

The group chose not to renew the lease for Mediterranean restaurant Kenza in London at the end of 2024 while its Comptoir Bluewater shut its doors this year.

Chief executive Chaker Hanna, who returned to the business in February after a three-year break, said this would allow management to focus on its core brands.

These include 22 Comptoir Libanais restaurants in the UK, Dubai and Milan, Shawa restaurants in Westfield, Bluewater and Abu Dhabi, and Yalla-Yalla near Oxford Circus.

The group has also expanded internationally with franchised restaurants in the Netherlands, Qatar, UAE and Italy.

Comptoir Group saw group revenue rise 10% in 2024 to £34.6m while there was a 2% boost in like-for-like sales.

Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation rose to £800,000, up from £100,000 in 2023. Hanna said this was “short of what we expect to be delivering” but that trading in Q1 2025 had been “in line with management expectations”.

“The hospitality sector remains stressed from a variety of external economic factors which continue to make this a very challenging environment to operate,” said Hanna.

“Nevertheless, there are brands which continue to succeed against this backdrop, and we need to ensure that Comptoir also navigates its way through to further success.”

He said there was a “significant growth opportunity” to expand Shawa, which offers shawarma, rotisserie chicken, salads and wraps, in shopping centre locations.

“[There] will be a focus through 2025 to look to stretch the brand expansion forwards,” Hanna added.