Eric Yu, founder of the Breakfast Group, has told MCA he expects 2018 to be a year of acquisitions for the group.
However, he ruled out returning to the brunch scene after a failed experiment with Over Easy. The all-day dining concept, which was situated under the group’s Burlock bar in Duke Street closed earlier this year after six months of trading and was sold to Tony Conigliaro for his second Bar Termini.
He also said the group was unlikely to explore further openings outside of London – despite the success of Birmingham’s Gas Street Social.
He said trading at the currently eight-strong group had been strong throughout the year, despite summer being typically a quiet period.
On the outlook, he said: “As a company we are still extremely strong financially and in a positon where we can absorb a unit that might take a couple of years to mature and contribute.
“I think 2018 is going to be a year where we will look to add to the portfolio. We have had a couple of conversations but nothing has been secured so far. We’ve looked at a lot in the West End but I think we will be widening our net.
“There is definitely rollout potential with the brands we have at the moment. I think Opium has a lot of potential certainly but even if we did that there would certainly be tweaks to the theme.”
On Over Easy he said: “It didn’t work out because it’s not our area of expertise and I didn’t have the contacts to call on when it obviously wasn’t going right. We’re not afraid to try new things and to admit when we have got it wrong.”
