Bill’s Restaurants, the fast-growing Richard Caring-backed chain, is eyeing a further 20 openings next, which would include a concerted push into the North and take the group close to the 50-site mark.
The group, which will open its 25th site on Monday in Chiswick, has already got sites lined up in Salisbury, Leamington Spa, High St Kensignton, Windsor and Hammersmith. All are expected to come on line over the next three months, while openings in Ealing and Reigate are being explored.
It is thought that locations in Manchester have already been looked at for the concept.
Talking at M&C Report’s Restaurant Conference yesterday, co-managing director Scott MacDonald said that the group was also looking to improve its retail offer over the next 12 months.
MacDonald said: “We are obsessed with details and that doesn’t change with the rate of opening that we are looking to achieve. Our teams and our customers are the two key touch points for the company and that won’t change going forward. We are proud of the spirit and culture that we have developed in the company, which I think translates to the consumer.”
He admitted to being taken aback by the positive response to the brand.
“Without spending anything on marketing or courting column inches, people have become fans of Bill’s,” MacDonald said. “That goes back to the two original sites in Lewes and Brighton, which continue to have a loyal following and that has continued through to the even the newer openings.”
