Richard Caring, the restaurant and clothing entrepreneur, emerged as the owner of a 3 per cent stake in Carluccio’s yesterday, as the Italian deli-dining chain revealed a 148 per cent rise in profits.

It was not clear if Mr Caring, whose assets include The Ivy, Le Caprice and the mid-price chains Belgo and Strada, plans to launch a bid for the company or was making a strategic investment.

The multimillionaire, who built his fortune in clothing manufacture, is said to be keen on acquiring more restaurants.

Carluccio’s said that it had been notified of Mr Caring’s shareholding in the company on Monday but had not received any further communication. The company, which was set up by Antonio Carluccio, the chef, and his wife Priscilla in 1991, said that pretax profits rose to £2.4 million in the six months to March 25. Sales rose 20 per cent to £25.9 million.

The company, which listed in December 2005, yesterday announced its first interim dividend as trading was boosted by the opening of three new branches, two in London and one in Manchester.

The company is planning to open about five outlets a year until it has a portfolio of 100 venues, up from 29 at present.

Mr and Mrs Carluccio made about £10 million when the company floated in December 2005 and have since stepped down from the everyday running of the business. They still hold a stake and continue to work as consultants to the company.

Greg Feehely, an analyst at Altium Securities, lifted his full-year profits forecast from £5.1 million to £5.2 million.

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