Indian street food concept Karak Chaii is planning to nearly double its estate by mid-2024, growing from its current 16 to c30 stores.
Strategic advisor Paolo Peretti said: “We have ambitious plans for 2024 and the year will start with a bang as we have 5 shops currently in build with another 5 at various stages of the legal process so by the middle of 2024 we will be closing in on 30 stores.”
Speaking to MCA earlier this year, Peretti pointed to the gap in the market for Indian QSR concepts and revealed the business is looking to expand at the rate of 20 sites per year.
The target is suburban high streets that offer strong trade across day parts, with c900-1,000 sq ft sites.
“We’re still staying away from city centres and not hugely keen on shopping centres either,” Peretti said. “These offer us evening trade as well.”
“Most sites tend to be located around our main demographic.”
Karak Chaii offers Indian snacks as well as larger plates such as rice bowls and biryani.
Peretti also told MCA that food trends indicate a growing appetite for Indian street food.
“Chaiwalla blazed the trail and we followed them. Now we’re seeing concepts like Chai Green and Chai Guys. There seems to be a trend beyond the target demographic, but chai is not quite that mainstream in the UK yet.”
