MONTREAL — It’s been a year of transformation for Montreal’s Sportscene Group Inc., the operator of the La Cage restaurant group. The company has undertaken an interior design revamp, image overhaul, new menu, beer selection and even a new banner, La Cage – Brasserie Sportive, but that hasn’t yet translated to increased sales for its restaurant operations.
In its year-end report, the company reported a 7.9-per-cent decline in average same-store sales in the fiscal year ended Aug. 30. Total network sales totalled $102.7 million, 9.1-per-cent lower than the previous year. Revenues from Sportscene’s sporting events and construction activities helped grow overall revenues by 3.3 per cent over the previous year, reaching $77.9 million, while its core restaurant business revenue was down 3.1 per cent.
“Fiscal 2016 will mark the third and final year of La Cage’s transition and the completion of our strategic shift,” says Jean Bédard, president and CEO, who added, “Financially, the company’s strategic shift should start generating positive results throughout fiscal 2016, and yield its full benefits as of fiscal 2017. In fact, considering the increase in the Cages’ customer traffic since the new brand image was launched last September, it seems we made sound decisions and are on the right track.”
In September, the chain’s name was changed to La Cage – Brasserie Sportive to reflect its new food, beer and sports positioning following a major upgrading of its food offering and beer selection.
