The owner of Polish bar and restaurant Mamuśka has told MCA he is confident he can replicate his concept across London and in cities around the UK.
Ian Coll said Polish cuisine was under-unexploited in the UK, yet due to the integration of Poles in Britain could become a favourite options, and was already proving popular particularly among adventurous diners in their 20s.
He said his casual dining concept in Elephant and Castle was growing fast and turned over £65,000 a month in September – double the takings for the same month in 2014.
Coll, who is British-Canadian but whose wife is Polish, is in talks with agents about new Mamuśka sites in London and is keen to go areas like White City, Old Street and Angel Islington.
He said: “We could do another five inside the M25 with no problem at all – and probably another six in the UK.
“We’re looking at cities like Manchester, Liverpool, Bristol and Edinburgh, places with young, trendy, foodie people.”
He said he has money in the bank for a prudent rollout, though would consider private equity options, and could also work in Europe.
The concept was inspired by the so called milk bars of Poland, Soviet era casual diners which served dairy dishes in the absence Moscow-bound meat.
It was initially expected to attract a dominant Polish clientele, though the majority of customers have turned out to be non-Polish.
The business started out in the Elephant and Castle shopping centre, but since moving to the main road takings are well up.
It serves traditional hearty Polish fare such as pierogi dumplings, borscht beetroot soup and schabowy breaded pork fillet with sauerkraut, as well as Polish beers and vodkas.
Coll said uncertainties over Brexit and the immigrations status of Poles in the UK were a cause for concern, but he was reassured by a post-vote spike in takings and by customers who told him they would continue to visit the restaurant out of solidarity.
Competing with multiple operators to secure prime property was tough, but he said he was prepared to be creative over locations and fit-outs.
Coll added: “Funding and financing is not the issue. Finding the right place at the price is. I’m happy to off the beaten track and make a place work.”
