Steakhouse chain to serve up first Sunderland venue

The restaurant chain behind the award-winning RIO Brazilian Steakhouse is to open its first Sunderland venue next year.

Opening in early 2024, the steakhouse will take over the former Halo bar and restaurant on Low Row in Sunderland city centre.

Work is now underway on the £450,000 fit-out of the restaurant, which is expected to create over 45 new jobs once it opens its doors in May.

The business first outlined its plans to open a restaurant in the city last year and Rodrigo Grassi, co-founder and co-director, said it is excited to finally be opening up in the city.

He said: "We are looking forward to taking the new site in Sunderland, having been searching for a suitable place for a while. 

"We will be starting the recruitment process in the new year as we look to recruit vital team members. 

"We work hard to train and look after our staff, maintaining the high standards of customer service the RIO brand is renowned for.

"We have found the RIO opening model to work well with our team, they are well oiled at new openings which maintains high levels of customer satisfaction and service.

"The proof is in the awards and positions on TripAdvisor - almost every venue we have launched has secured the top spot in just four weeks - it's an amazing achievement by all the team."

Founded in Jesmond in 2019, RIO is an award-winning steakhouse with a set price concept of non-stop meats and an unlimited gourmet salad bar boasting over 35 items to choose from.

The business operates seven RIO restaurants across the North of England, with its first Scottish restaurant in Edinburgh also set to open in due course.

Rodrigo added: "As for future prospects, we are still in negotiations with landlords in a number of locations to open more RIO sites.

"Some are further down the line than others, with some being held up due to red tape, but we expect to roll out at least another four RIOs in 2024, with the aim to do more."

RIO has been supported in its move to the city by Sunderland City Council, who have actively worked with the team to identify suitable premises.

Cllr Graeme Miller, leader of Sunderland City Council, said: "The ongoing development of Sunderland city centre has seen a plethora of businesses invest here in recent months and we are delighted to be able to add RIO to that list.

"To have taken what was a stand alone restaurant and turn it into seven - going on nine - in just four years speaks absolute volumes about the company's success and the service it provides so it gives us great pride to welcome to the city."