The chief executive of Tragus Holdings – the restaurant group behind the Café Rouge and Bella Italia chains – has reportedly said that the group is considering floating next year.

According to media reports, Graham Turner has said that although there is funding in place to open up to 36 restaurants over the next three years, a flotation of Tragus on the stock market some time in 2006 was “a possibility”.

He also said the group would be looking to acquire a third brand – “a grill concept, maybe Spanish or some other European concept” – and the Café Rouge brand, which boasts 82 sites, could double in size “over time” with new openings following the larger format seen at sites such as Heathrow Airport.

A 30 per cent rise in group earnings before EBITDA to £16.7m was reported for the year to 29 May on turnover up by 14.4 per cent on last year to £116.6m.

Tragus currently owns 160 sites across the UK. Details: www.tragusholdings.com