Carluccio’s beating expectations as Caring takeover buzz persists

Does Richard Caring have Carluccio's on the menu?

Word that the owner of the Ivy, Annabel's and Le Caprice wants to add the Italian eaterie to his empire keeps circling. He already has a 12% stake.

Today Carluccio's said sales are up 8% in the half year to the end of March, "ahead of the board's expectations".

Critics wonder how the chain will cope with new minimum wage legislation that bans the inclusion of tips in pay and a higher VAT rate.

The company said that the all-day trading model gives it the flexibility it needs.

The average spend per head in the cafes is £13. That's up from £12.50 before.

Carluccio's now has 45 restaurants. It reckons it could have 100 eventually.

A takeover is getting gradually more expensive, the stock adding 1p to 91p today.