Caravan, the highly regarded all-dining operator and coffee roaster, could try out new formats as it grows, but will take expansion on a site by site basis.
Speaking as the Active-backed group prepared to open its fourth site in Bloomberg Arcade, commercial director and co-founder Chris Ammermann said Caravan would continue to seek out interesting opportunities, though was becoming more selective on sites and locations.
He said each new opportunity needed to be a progression on the last, as well as being fun, creative and commercial viable. The company is set to open a further site in Yalding House, Great Portland Street.
Speaking to MCA, Ammermann, who co-founded the group with Laura Harper-Hinton and Miles Kirby, said: ”It’s really just one day at a time for us right now or at least one site at a time.
“We will continue to seek out interesting opportunities although as we grow we are being more selective on sites and locations.
“We have considered new formats and would certainly not rule this out, but it’s important people associate good times and good spaces with our brand.
“We wouldn’t do it just a site or an offer for the sake of it, it would need to be a positive progression and we would need to be 100% behind it as that’s what it’s all about for us.
“We love what we do and will continue to grow and develop creatively and with thought, along with our incredible team. Essentially, we will continue to grow as long as it’s fun, creative, challenging and commercially viable!”
Ammermann said “beautiful spaces” were crucial to building Caravan into a successful all-day dining brand.
He said: “The importance of original character in a space shouldn’t be underestimated as it provides a sense of longevity, honesty and comfort to the design that you layer onto it.
“Comfortable, warm surroundings that transition from morning to night are an essential element to our offer and provide a backdrop for our guests to feel that they can interact with the spaces in many different ways, depending on what they need that day.”
Ammermann said when the trio opened the Caravan Exmouth Market there were few all day dining restaurants serving the type of “well-travelled” food and Antipodean service style.
He said New Zealand and Australian operators had added positively to the rich culinary diversity in London and the UK, with a welcoming, relaxed ‘can do’ attitude, and were not afraid of working long hours.
Ammermann said a more premium F&B offer would push standards up, adding: “Good coffee shops will continue to replace those less able to provide a great product, but mainstream operators will continue to develop and prosper as well.
”We think the introduction of the independents will hopefully force everyone to lift their game, ultimately benefitting the consumer.”
