Trotter Primm, the company controlled by businessman Dragos Petrescu and parent company of the City Grill restaurant chain and the City Cafe coffee shop chain has successfully added the famed Caru' cu bere brand to its portfolio after three years.
"We wanted to acquire the restaurant because we are confident it can regain its position among the top three restaurants in the historical centre of Bucharest," stated Dragos Petrescu, CEO and majority shareholder of the chain. The restaurant, located in the Lipscani area, re-entered the market at the beginning of October, following a 1.5 million-euro investment. It is one of the oldest such places in the capital, originally opened in 1892.
Petrescu estimates Caru' cu bere will account for 30% of the group's business and will contribute 2.5-3 million euros to the whole group's turnover. "The company's consolidated budget ten months into the year stands at 4.5 million euros. By the end of the year we expect turnover to reach 5.5 million euros, to which the opening of a new City Grill restaurant in Constanta will also contribute," says Petrescu. Petrescu plans to make permanent investments in Caru' cu bere. "We will build a beer museum in the semi-basement of the restaurant, for which I will bring a collection of objects from the inter-war period and a collection of pint glasses," he says. Petrescu is also interested in making further investments in the historical centre of the Capital, planning to take over another location.
"We are planning to use Caru' cu bere to promote events for companies, such as organising strategy meetings, council meetings, even giving companies the possibility to celebrate company anniversaries or Christmas parties. Our investment in the restaurant has consisted of updating the audio and IT system to a European level," said Petrescu. The investment in this restaurant has enabl
