Ed’s Diner scores a Fifties hit as a million flock in

The growing appetite of British punters for American-style diners had helped a small chain return to profit and convinced it to beef up its expansion.

Ed’s Easy Diner opened four restaurants last year but is on track to open 10 this year. It has passed the landmark of a million customers a year for the first time.

The operator of 17 Fifties-themed American diners delivered an operating profit of £35,000 over the 12 months to September 30, after a loss of £165,000 the previous year. Its turnover rocketed by 58% to £9.4 million.

Chairman Stephen Greene, said: “2012 has been a landmark year in which the new management team has delivered profitable growth, increased customers 57%, perfected the operational template and begun a rollout programme.”