Founders of Tesco-owned restaurant chain Giraffe are to resign a year after the grocer acquired the business.

Co-founders Juliette and Russel Joffe, who launched the business in 1998 with friend Andrew Jacobs, will help find a successor and will continue to be involved with the business through a consultancy role with Tesco. Jacobs remains at the business.

In a joint statement the Joffes said: “Having seen through the Tesco sale over a year ago and started giraffe on its next phase of growth, we feel we’re now in a position to take a break from the restaurant industry knowing we are leaving our baby in safe and capable hands.”

Tesco bought the 60-strong chain in April last year as it aims to diversify its offer. It has since launched Giraffe restaurants in some of its larger stores.

The Joffes added: “It’s been an incredibly emotional decision to step away from our business - we have raised an amazing family here at Giraffe and watched many grow into hugely talented individuals and we are confident the business will continue to thrive”. 

Giraffe chairman and chief executive of Tesco family dining Adam Fowle thanked the Joffes for building the business.  

“We’re really excited about what the future holds for Giraffe, and we owe a huge amount to Juliette and Russel’s vision and expertise in making Giraffe the business it is today,” he added.

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