Brewhouse & Kitchen is on track to get to 20 sites by the end of 2017 as it closes in on its 17th, in the East Midlands, MCA has learnt.
Chairman Kris Gumbrell said the regional operator was flexible about the type of sites it acquires, and after established itself in the Midlands and North, would look to gain a foothold in the M4 corridor.
The group is set to open in Bournemouth and Lichfield towards the end of March, with the former subject to a lengthy planning process and structural development at the three-storey site.
Gumbrell, who runs the group with Simon Bunn, told MCA: “The group are looking to carry on acquiring this year, we’ve got quite a few things on the boil.
“The M4 corridor is a big focus. Our priority is to connect London with the West country, including Bath and Reading and those areas.
“We are certainly comfortable that we’ll hit 20 sites by the years’ end.
“The good news is our first site is showing like for like growth year on year and there’s much more interest in the model than there has been in the past. Craft beer is here to see and the level of interest has been astonishing.”
On the type of sites B&K was looking for Gumbrell added: “We’ve got five ex Wetherspoons in our stable and they’ve done extremely well for us. We also like empty concrete boxes in retail developments. Some sites were derelict and closed when we bought them. We don’t mind, the concept is strong enough to work in a variety of locations, it’s very destinational.”
