The family-run Italian restaurant group San Carlo has been recognised in The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2026, highlighting the group as one of the UK’s leading employers for workplace culture, employee engagement and overall staff experience.
The annual list, produced in partnership with WorkL, celebrates organisations that are setting the benchmark for outstanding workplaces, wellbeing and inclusion across the UK. The full list is available here: The Sunday Times Best Places to Work
Founded in Birmingham in 1992, San Carlo has grown from a single restaurant into a globally recognised hospitality brand with 38 restaurants worldwide. Today, the group employs approximately 1,500 people globally and continues to expand internationally while staying true to its commitment to premium Italian dining and a people-first culture.
The recognition marks a proud achievement for the entire business and reflects the dedication of San Carlo’s People Team, whose work has helped create a dynamic, supportive and inclusive workplace culture across the group. Over the past year alone, the company celebrated 94 internal promotions, underlining its commitment to nurturing talent and creating meaningful career opportunities for its teams.
Diversity remains central to the company’s success, with 78 nationalities represented across the business and more than 100 languages spoken throughout its restaurants and support teams. In recent years, San Carlo has also introduced a comprehensive compensation and benefits package for employees, strengthened internal communications and launched listening strategies to ensure every team member feels valued and supported.
This latest recognition highlights not only the company’s continued growth and success, but also its ongoing investment in its people — the heart of the San Carlo experience.
Marcello Distefano, CEO of San Carlo Group, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be recognised in The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2026. This is a hugely proud moment for everyone across the San Carlo family and a celebration of the incredible people who make our business what it is.
“Our teams are at the heart of everything we do, and this recognition reflects the passion, dedication and culture that runs through every one of our restaurants. As we continue to grow internationally, we remain committed to creating an environment where our people feel valued, supported and inspired to build their careers with us.”
Zoe Thomas, Editor of The Sunday Times Best Places to Work, said: “In an evolving world of work Britain’s leading employers are helping staff forge careers that count today – and in the future. In turn, the Best Places to Work have the resilience to weather the current economic storms baked in, thanks to engaged workers who go above and beyond with a smile.
“Our winning employers span sizes and sectors – from tiny charities and specialist law firms, to multinational fast-food chains and utility giants, and everywhere in between. The thread joining them is the belief that a happy workforce is a stepping stone to better performance, faster growth, and bigger profits. More than that, there’s a collective instinct that a contented rank-and-file is a worthwhile business goal in and of itself.”
Lord Mark Price, Founder of WorkL, said: “I am delighted that more companies than ever entered this year’s Best Places to Work awards and more have been given winner’s medals. The scores are higher than last year showing a greater focus being put on how employees feel. All our research at WorkL clearly shows that happier workforces drive better commercial performance.”
In addition to San Carlo, the Best Places to Work list features a diverse range of organisations across the UK, including technology company Arm; energy providers E.ON UK, EDF in the UK and Octopus Energy; hospitality brands Dishoom, Bella Italia and Ardent Pub Group; as well as David Lloyd Clubs and MBDA.
