City Centre Restaurants has confirmed that it is considering a merger with pizza chain Ask Central, according to caterer-online.com.
A successful conclusion to the talks would create a new company with more than 300 restaurants and a significantly enhanced high-street presence.
City Centre's most successful brand Frankie and Benny's is mainly concentrated in retail parks and airports. However, other brands such as Est Est Est are established high-street names.
In a statement City Centre Restaurants said a combined group would be more flexible in “re-branding and restructuring sites where beneficial”.
Ask, which features various fresh produce ingredients on its menus, is expected to be valued at around £171 million.
