Burger & Lobster has announced that “despite a challenging year” its week-on-week sales continue to increase, and the business “is currently well-positioned for expansion”.
The London-based restaurant group, which next month celebrates its tenth anniversary, has plans to open a tenth outlet in London at the start of 2022 and is also considering international expansion.
The group has also revealed its financial results for the year ending 3rd January 2021, starting the financial year in a “strong position with net assets of £3.3 million”. However, turnover fell by 65% in 2020 to £16.3 million as the Covid-19 pandemic curtailed its operations.
By May 2020, the group moved to offering restaurant delivery, opening three dark kitchens to increase brand reach, and launching nationwide DIY kits which accounted for sales of £650k.
During 2020, the group “enjoyed high team member retention rates where restaurants remain well-staffed, with most team members returning to work post-furlough.”
Burger & Lobster said that it “continues to invest in the upskilling of their team members,” and that a new executive development chef had been appointed. A menu development programme has begun with new dishes being introduced next month that put the spotlight on premium ingredients and provenance.
A key focus for the brand is menu collaborations with the first guest dish appearing on menus, such as The ‘Sleezey’n’Bisquey Lobster Mac & Cheese,’ created by Gizzi Erskine and Professor Green.
Misha Zelman, director and founder of Burger & Lobster Restaurant Group, said: “We are delighted to be celebrating our 10th anniversary next month, having reopened all our restaurants and experiencing high demand. It has been an incredibly challenging 18-months for hospitality. Still, we are immensely proud to have retained so many members of our team post furlough and would also like to take this opportunity to thank our landlords for their support during the pandemic.
“The business has shown resilience and adaptability, giving us the confidence to open more sites both here in the UK and overseas. As we continue to develop and innovate, we are confident that our unique brand proposition will continue to engage with diners.”
