Bill’s, the Richard Caring-backed group, is close to securing a site in Leicester, M&C Report understands.

The 46-strong group is believed to have taken a unit in city’s Shires Lane close to the recently opened Red Hot World Buffet site.

The company has openings in Berkhamsted, Bluewater, Newbury, Woking and Watford lined up over the next two months.

It is also understood to have secured sites in Welwyn Garden City and Glasgow, and is in talks on units in Peterborough, Maidstone, Taunton and Durham.