Ridgeways claim crown as Gold Coast’s most prolific restaurateurs — and there’s more on the way

DANIEL and Ruggie Ridgeway have a lot on their plate. With the announcement of a new restaurant at Pacific Fair, the young couple have become the Gold Coast’s most prolific restaurateurs.

Daniel and Ruggie Ridgeway are officially the Gold Coast's largest restaurateurs. Picture: John Gass

DANIEL and Ruggie Ridgeway have a lot on their plate.

With the announcement of a new restaurant at Pacific Fair, the young couple have become the Gold Coast’s largest restaurateurs — and they’ve got no plans to slow down.

They already own and operate Little Truffle at Mermaid Beach, BiN 12 Burleigh Heads, BiN 72 Coolangatta, BiN 232 Pacific Fair and BiN 89 Broadbeach.

Little Truffle at Mermaid Beach.

Italian restaurant Rivea will join the ranks mid-October, filling Pacific Fair’s most coveted culinary tenancy. It’s under construction in the resort area, next to the yet-to-open Zara.

The Ridgeways are also in the approval stages of a multi-level, multi-venue location at Runaway Bay, complete with rooftop.

BiN 12 at Burleigh Heads.

“That would take our count to eight restaurants,” Mr Ridgeway said.

“We weren’t expecting things to happen this quickly but when opportunities come up you have to take the plunge or miss out.

“Rivea is an amazing location and really good real estate can be hard to come by on the Coast.

“The position was originally meant for the owners of Icebergs in Sydney but when their plans were delayed, the centre approached us wanting to get a local in there.”

The Ridgeways employ 86 staff, with Rivea set to push the tally to more than 100.

They’ll be recruiting chefs and front of house positions from next week.

“The more people we employ the happier I am, because it makes what we do easier,” Mr Ridgeway said.

BiN 72 at Cooloongatta.

“There are local guys who’ve come into my kitchens as chef de parties six years ago and are now running them.

“I still work in the kitchen six nights a week — I’m probably a bit biased to Little Truffle but I get around to all of the restaurants.

“Being in the kitchen is like stress relief for me and it’s really important to Ruggie and I that we stay hands-on.

“It’s not work in the slightest for us. We’re in the growth stages and it’s exciting.”

Mr Ridgeway said he had rejected multiple offers for franchising — “We have to keep the personal touch” — and was unconcerned about biting off more than he could chew

“As to whether this kind of growth is sustainable, the dining scene is booming and overall the quality of product and fitout is outstanding,” he said.

Denzyl Plyter in Bin 232 at Pacific Fair.

“There are lot of restaurants opening.

“Too many? Yes, I think maybe there are. But it’s trial and error as to what’s working and what’s not.

“What we offer works for us and works for the Coast, so we’re simply looking at taking that into new territory.

“Saying no is important too.

“We have opportunities (for new restaurants) weekly but we stick to our formula and don’t vary from our business model.”

Not bad for a former Miami High dropout who was “asked to leave” in Grade 10 after skipping more than one-third of the school year.

“I don’t have a five-year goal or an end game,” Mr Ridgeway said.

“Everybody asks me if we can keep moving at the pace we’re going but I doubt we’ll slow down.

“We’re heading to Italy now to do research for Rivea and we’ll be wining and dining for two and a half weeks.

“There has to be rewards for what you do.”

HUNGRY FOR MORE SUCCESS

The Ridgeways have the largest portion of the local dining scene, but they aren’t the only restaurateurs with multiple slices of the action

CHERYL BENCH

Breakfast time at Daily Squeeze restaurant, Chirn Park.

Taste, Chirn Park

Daily Squeeze, Chirn Park

Cafe Uno, Biggera Waters

Lola’s, Broadbeach

Chevron Social, Chevron Island

PATRICK GENARRI

Koi Dining and Lounge Bar, Broadbeach,

Glass Dining and Lounge Bar, Main Beach

The Loose Moose, Broadbeach

The Loose Moose at Broadbeach: Kalyna Eslick with pulled pork fries.

NERISSA AND MITCH MCCLUSKEY

Etsu Izakaya, Mermaid Beach

Commune Cafe, Burleigh

Aloha Bar & Dining, Broadbeach

Etsu Izakaya.

MARC KINVIG AND NICK PEARCE

Blackboard Coffee, Varsity Lakes

Nest, Burleigh Waters

Blackboard Roastery & Cafe Academy, Burleigh

Blackboard Coffee in Varsity Lakes.

ANDREW WHITING

Elk Espresso, Broadbeach

Sparrow Eating House, Nobby Beach

Elk Espresso, Broadbeach.

SCOTT IMLACH

Hideaway Kitchen & Bar, Broadbeach

Bine Bar & Dining, Nobby Beach

Bine Bar and Dining’s Scott Imlach.

URSULA AND BEN WATTS

Paddock Bakery, Miami

Bam Bam Bakehouse, Mermaid Beach

Bam Bam Bakehouse.

JARROD BARNETT, KANE GIBSON AND RAY LICH

Burleigh Social, Burleigh

Society of Florida, Broadbeach Waters

Society of Florida.

JP DUITSCH

Moo Moo The Wine Bar + Grill, Broadbeach (part-owner)

Mamasan Kitchen & Bar, Broadbeach

Mamasan Kitchen & Bar.

TY YTURRALDE

California Tacos, Burleigh

California Cantina, Isle of Capri

California Tacos’s Ty Yturradle (owner) and Arran Parker (chef).

SACHA, DAN AND BEN KANAGHINES

Nonna’s Italian Cuisine, Biggera Waters

House of Brews, Surfers Paradise

Sacha Kanaghines, Damien Kanaghines and Ben Kanaghines. Picture by Scott Fletcher

From a humble start to restaurant riches: The Ridgeway story in Gold Coast Eye tomorrow.