Comptoir Group Appoints Nathan Portelli as Finance Director Following James Fisher's Planned Departure

Comptoir's Diverse Restaurant Portfolio and Market Reach

Comptoir Group Plc manages an extensive portfolio of Lebanese and Middle Eastern-inspired dining venues across various markets. Its flagship brand, Comptoir Libanais, includes 23 restaurants located in London, key UK cities like Manchester, Bath, Birmingham, and Oxford, as well as international sites at travel hubs in Dubai, Milan, and Rome. This broad geographic footprint aligns with the Group's strategy to position its restaurants in high-traffic areas and prominent travel destinations, targeting both local patrons and transient visitors.

Beyond Comptoir Libanais, the Group operates additional brands catering to diverse customer segments and dining formats. Shawa offers a counter service model focused on traditional shawarma, with outlets in Westfield and Bluewater shopping centres in the UK and Abu Dhabi. The Yalla-Yalla brand maintains a location near Oxford Circus in central London. This varied brand portfolio enables Comptoir to meet demand across casual counter service, full-service, and premium dining experiences, each tailored to distinct customer preferences and venue characteristics. Seven of the Group’s 27 restaurants operate under franchise agreements, generating revenue from franchise fees and royalties alongside company-managed locations.

International Growth Via Strategic Franchise Partnerships

Comptoir Group has expanded internationally through franchise collaborations with major operators. Partnerships with Avolta, Areas, and Qatar Airways allow Comptoir brands to operate in the Netherlands, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Italy. This franchise-based expansion leverages partners’ existing infrastructure, regulatory expertise, and local market knowledge, minimizing capital expenditure and execution risks associated with direct international ventures.

These partnerships strategically position Comptoir’s restaurants in high-value locations, particularly travel hubs and airports with substantial passenger traffic, enhancing brand visibility and customer access outside the UK. The franchise model also provides recurring revenue streams from royalties and fees, diversifying income beyond direct restaurant operations and offering more predictable financial returns compared to wholly-owned outlets.

James Fisher’s Planned Exit and Transition Schedule

Finance Director James Fisher has informed the Board of his intention to step down. He will remain in his role until 30 October 2026 to ensure an orderly handover and maintain continuity in financial management and reporting. This extended transition period allows the incoming director to be fully briefed on financial matters, audits, banking relationships, and strategic initiatives before assuming full responsibilities.

This timeline ensures uninterrupted financial governance, tax compliance, year-end accounting, and stakeholder communication. CEO Chaker Hanna expressed gratitude for Fisher’s service, emphasizing a professional and amicable departure rather than an abrupt change.

Nathan Portelli’s Elevation to Finance Director

Nathan Portelli, currently Head of Finance, will succeed James Fisher as Finance Director later in 2026. His internal promotion reflects confidence in his familiarity with Comptoir’s financial operations, business model, reporting systems, and strategic goals. Portelli’s experience within the company equips him to manage the complexities of a multi-brand portfolio, franchise arrangements, and restaurant sector dynamics.

The advancement ensures leadership continuity, reduces transition risks, and leverages Portelli’s established relationships with stakeholders, auditors, and lenders. He will collaborate closely with Fisher during the handover to guarantee seamless responsibility transfer and ongoing focus on key financial projects.

Board Stability Amid Restaurant Industry Challenges

Leadership changes in finance occur within a challenging hospitality environment marked by labour inflation, rising energy costs, commodity price fluctuations, and business rates pressures. These factors impact profit margins and necessitate robust financial planning and cost control. Comptoir’s transition in finance leadership coincides with ongoing efforts to enhance operational efficiency and margin preservation in the casual dining sector.

The Group’s multi-brand, franchise, and international structure demands sophisticated financial oversight, including consolidated reporting, currency exposure management, franchise accounting, and tax planning across jurisdictions. The planned transition period allows the incoming Finance Director to master these complexities without disruption.

Franchise Revenue and Profitability Considerations

Seven of Comptoir’s 27 restaurants operate under franchise agreements, contributing significant revenue through initial fees, ongoing royalties, and support services. Franchise operations typically yield higher margins by avoiding direct operating costs, labour, and leases. Understanding franchise profitability and growth potential is essential for comprehensive financial analysis.

Comptoir’s focus on asset-light franchise expansion, exemplified by partnerships with Avolta, Areas, and Qatar Airways, emphasizes recurring fee income over capital-intensive restaurant ownership. The Finance Director oversees franchise partner performance, royalty accounting, revenue forecasting, and compliance, requiring specialized analytical frameworks distinct from company-operated location management.

Concentration Risks in London and UK Markets

With 23 of its 27 restaurants under the Comptoir Libanais brand concentrated in London and major UK cities, the Group is exposed to regional economic conditions, consumer spending trends, labour market factors, and property costs. Economic downturns or shifts in consumer preferences in these areas could significantly affect sales and profitability. The Finance Director must incorporate scenario analyses reflecting varying economic environments.

UK hospitality also faces risks from potential National Insurance hikes, minimum wage increases, business rates reassessments, and consumer spending volatility. Comptoir’s casual dining focus makes profitability sensitive to discretionary spending, requiring financial planning that balances cost pressures with competitive pricing and customer value.

AIM Listing Compliance and Investor Relations

Comptoir Group Plc is listed on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) under ticker COM, necessitating adherence to AIM rules, regulatory reporting, and investor communications. The Finance Director is responsible for timely, accurate financial disclosures, managing relationships with the Nominated Adviser and Broker (Cavendish Capital Markets Limited), and ensuring compliance with AIM and UK Listing Authority standards. Delays or failures in reporting can lead to sanctions and share price impacts.

The role includes investor relations duties such as analyst briefings, earnings calls, and communicating strategic and financial performance to the investment community. Maintaining robust internal controls and audit processes is essential to uphold financial governance and attract institutional investors.

Leadership Team and Strategic Outlook

Comptoir Group’s leadership comprises CEO Chaker Hanna, Finance Director James Fisher, and Founder/Director Tony Kitous. The planned finance leadership succession supports continued strategic focus on multi-brand expansion, franchise growth, and international development. CEO Hanna’s stable leadership ensures consistent decision-making during the finance transition.

Strategic priorities include expanding Comptoir Libanais in the UK and travel hubs, growing franchise partnerships internationally, developing Shawa and Yalla-Yalla brands, and enhancing operational efficiency. The Finance Director contributes through financial modelling, investment appraisal, cash flow planning, and franchise economics analysis. Nathan Portelli’s appointment facilitates uninterrupted progress on these initiatives.