Member Article

Ambition to follow acquisition for Northumberland restaurant owners

Lindsay Sanderson and Jamie Hardy have acquired Northumberland-based restaurant Franco’s.

The pair have a background of working in restaurants with Jamie, a chef who has worked in a number of venues around the region, taking on the role of head chef in Franco’s.

Now the couple are hoping to roll out the Franco’s brand across the North East, and are already on the lookout for their second site.

Significant investment is being made in refurbishing the Italian restaurant, on Prudhoe’s Front Street, and a revamped menu has been introduced.

Jamie, who previously owned Pepe’s in Beamish, County Durham, said: “Franco’s is very well known and it is that great reputation, combined with the authentic Italian feel of the restaurant, that attracted us to buy it.

“We are putting our own stamp on the place by redecorating and introducing a new menu, but the excellent food and atmosphere that Franco’s is known for will of course continue.

“Our plan is to open other restaurants under the Franco’s brand and recreate exactly what we have here. We are already looking around the region for the perfect place for our next one.”

Lindsay and Jamie were supported in their acquisition by Newcastle law firm Sintons, with Associates Tom Wills and Donna Anderson handling real estate and employment aspects respectively.

Tom Wills said: “Lindsay and Jamie have taken on a well-known and respected small business and are looking to build on its success by rolling the brand out elsewhere in the region.

“They have a genuine passion for their new venture and we wish them the very best as they look to expand the Franco’s brand.

“As a law firm which provides a bespoke offering to small businesses, Sintons is very pleased to be able to support Lindsay and Jamie with all of their commercial, property and employment needs.”