Bill’s, the rapidly-growing restaurant chain backed by Richard Caring, is understood to be on track to reach the 30-site mark by the end of the year, with the group believed to be in different stages of negotiation on up to 10 sites, including its first unit in the North.

The 23-strong group, which recently updated its website, is understood to be in talks on openings in Leamington Spa, Salisbury and Windsor, plus a further site in London.

It recently secured the Giraffe site in London’s Chiswick for an opening later this year and will next open in Kensington High Street.

The chain is thought to be producing average weekly sales of c£30,000 and is on course to deliver full-year sales of between £20m-£25m.