Publishing group plans restaurant empire

Publishing group Condé Nast is planning to open a global collection of branded restaurants. The project will seek to build on the existing success of the Vogue Café and GQ Bar already established in Moscow.

The expansion marks a step by the group to strengthen its brand image, as well as creating a presence in markets where its publications are not circulated. The move is also intended to help nurture a sense of brand loyalty among consumers, giving brand aficionados the chance to live, breathe – and eat – their favourite publication.

The new business, called Condé Nast Restaurants, is based in Hong Kong and will develop under the guidance of a three-strong team with extensive experience in international business and hospitality.

Jonathan Newhouse, chairman of Condé Nast International, heads up the new business, while the InterContinental Hotels Group’s Stuart Nielsen will be director of restaurants. Finally, Arkady Novikov, who is due to expand his own Russian restaurant empire to London next year, is already licensing the two existing Condé Nast restaurants in Moscow.

The location of the new restaurants has yet to be confirmed, but Dubai, Singapore, Hong Kong and Bangkok have all been specifically mentioned, as the first part of a more general focus on Asia, Latin America and Middle East regions.

Marinel FitzSimons, 10.08.10