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Harry Ramsden's is the biggest fish and chip shop brand in the world. Based in the UK the business has 36 owned and franchised outlets throughout the UK and Irish Republic and serves around 4 million meals annually. Harry Ramsden’s is a resilient and much loved British ‘heritage’ offering. With over eighty years of history, it is Britain’s longest established restaurant chain.[1]
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History
The business was started by Harry Ramsden (1888–1963) in 1928 in a wooden hut in White Cross, Guiseley, West Yorkshire, northern England. Three years later he moved into a 'fish and chip palace', complete with fitted carpets, oak paneled walls and chandeliers. The original hut still stands on the same site adjacent to the main restaurant, which holds the Guinness World Record for the largest fish and chip shop in the world, seating 250 people, serving nearly a million customers a year.[2]
In 1954 the business was sold to Harry Ramsden's long term business partner Eddie Stokes for £37,500 subsequently selling in 1965 to Essex based Associated Fisheries.[3]
In 1988, the company which still comprised the original Guiseley fish and chips "palace" was bought by Merryweathers led by Chairman John Barnes who following a successful blue chip career with Proctor and Gamble and KFC led the management team which transformed the business from a single restaurant in Yorkshire to a world famous brand.
Following a decision by their bank to withdraw funding, the management pulled off an audacious move to float the company on the London Stock exchange in 1989. The public offer was over subscribed by two and a half times.The next ten years saw rapid expansion throughout the UK and worldwide through company owned and franchised restaurants. Worldwide locations in Hong Kong, Australia, EPCOT and Saudi Arabia added to the growing stature as an international brand.[4]
A franchise deal with Granada motorway services to develop kiosk style units ultimately led to Granada Ltd buying Harry Ramsden's for £20 million in October 1999.
When acquired by Granada – Harry Ramsden’s comprised 4 company owned restaurants, 25 franchises and 16 Henry Higgins units.Granada expanded Harry Ramsden’s into motorway locations. Some franchise territories infringed onto motorways so Granada bought the franchises back.
In 2000 Compass merged with Granada.Under Compass, the business was expanded into Moto service station kiosks, contract catering locations such as schools, Post Office canteens, Little Chef, Butlins and Haven Holidays.
By April 2006, Compass had spun off its motorway service stations to Moto bought by Macquarie Bank of Sydney, Australia. Its specialist airports and railways division SSP was sold for £1,822 million to EQT Partners of Sweden (who also own Findus). Harry Ramsden's was sold with the SSP business.
Under the early years of SSP ownership the business had to compete with other SSP brands for investment.
In 2008 SSP recruited industry turnround specialist Chris Sullivan as Managing Director.[5] [6]
In Australia
The "Harry Ramsden" brand in Australia, did not fare so well. For reasons unknown, sites across the country were poorly sited, and therefore patronage was indifferent. It was also speculated that the cost of the Australian franchise was in excess of what was financially viable. The Melbourne, Victoria franchise was purpose built, but located on a busy suburban intersection.
The brand disappeared from Australia in the early 2000-1 financial year and has yet to resurface. In spite of its Australian connections, the Harry Ramsden brand has not reappeared and is not expected to in the immediate future.
Licensing of the brand
Under the name of the brand, Premier Foods make mushy peas (since April 2006), and Ross Youngs (owned by Heinz since October 1999) make frozen fish and oven chips.
The Challenge
The restaurant is famous for the Harry Ramsden challenge. The details for 'Harry's Big Fish Challenge' read as follows: Go on, we challenge you to eat all of this legendary meal! Giant prime cod or haddock and large chips with either mushy peas, garden peas or baked beans.Are you up to the challenge? ALL THIS FOR ONLY £11.99
Trivia
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Lists of miscellaneous information should be avoided. Please relocate any relevant information into appropriate sections or articles. (November 2009) |
- Harry Corbett of Sooty fame was a nephew of Harry Ramsden and played the piano in his uncle's original restaurant.[7]
References
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This article includes a list of references, related reading or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please improve this article by introducing more precise citations where appropriate. (November 2009) |
- ^ www.harryramsdens.co.uk
- ^ [1]
- ^ Harry Ramsden the uncrowned king of fish and chips ISBN 1-85568-088-2
- ^ Marketing Judo ISBN 0-273-66316-X
- ^ http://www.foodtravelexperts.com/newsarticle/57/press/malls-and-hunger-are-a-recipe-for-success/english
- ^ http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/weekend/Fantastic-feast-for-the-girls.5555537.jp
- ^ [2]
External links
- A number of customer reviews at Reviewcentre.com
- Harry Ramsden's website
- Reviews at Ciao!
- Review of oven chips at Ciao!
- Four more reviews
- Review of Manchester restaurant at DooYoo
- Paging system for customers
- Moto outlets
- Bought by Granada in October 1999
- Split in two in 2006
- Document about sale of SSP UK
- "Plaicebook" is a UK based blog celebrating Fish and Chip shops
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