The boss of a major Glasgow restaurant group has teased plans to open more locations.

Mario Gizzi has revealed that the Di Maggio's Restaurant Group (DRG) is 'actively' exploring potential sites for new eateries across the country.

The group, which owns Italian restaurants Di Maggio's and Amarone as well as Spanish tapas favourite Cafe Andaluz, is looking at opening in Newcastle and potentially London. 

DRG opened a third Cafe Andaluz in Edinburgh's trendy Stockbridge area in November to considerable success, with over 20,000 hungry customers already visiting.

Mr Gizzi said: “The reception to the Stockbridge Cafe Andaluz has been exceptional and is exactly why we chose that location.

"It’s another pillar in the progression of the business, and we have plans to grow the brand further. 

“We have a strong portfolio of brands across a broad range of sectors and food types, and our plans are about growing what we have. We are actively looking at a site for a second Cafe Andaluz in Newcastle, and beyond that, we intend to take the brand and potentially other restaurants into London as well.

"We are researching suitable locations, and that includes the potential acquisition of other restaurant businesses with a view to converting sites into one of our existing brands if the opportunity is right. 

“We’ve been in business for 40 years because we take a responsible and measured approach to growth, only moving when the opportunity is right for the business, and that will continue to be fundamental to our approach.” 

It comes after the firm experienced its busiest December since before the Covid pandemic, and sales across their 17 venues have gone up by 10% on the previous year. 

Gizzi, who trained as a chartered accountant in the 1980s, founded DRG in 1985 with his uncle Joe Conetta and now runs it with his cousin Tony Conetta, who stepped into his father’s role following his retirement in 2000.

The group now employs almost 1000 people across its venues and runs training schemes including in-house apprenticeships to encourage those who wish to move into hospitality in a long-term career.