Shaun Gray and Steve Novak, the owners of Cattle Grid, the fast-casual steakhouse chain, have secured a first site for their chicken-led concept called Poulet Rouge in south London, M&C Report has learnt.
The pair have secured the lease on assignment of the current Fat Delicatessen opposite Balham tube station for a premium of £60,000.
Steve Bagatti at property consultancy Selsian, who handled the deal, told M&C Report there was “some competition” for the site from chain operators and independents. He said Balham is going to become “the new Clapham” as a desirable location, with a number of operators looking at the area again after targeting other regions when the recession hit.
Of the new concept, Novak said: “We’re big fans of steak and ribs, and Cattle Grid proves that’s a popular option, but increasingly we’ve seen a gap in the market for really good, barn-reared chicken, served in the traditional rotisseries style that has proved so popular in France forever.
“We want to create a family-friendly environment, serving the best chickens we can source, and delivering them freshly roasted to the plate. This is a restaurant that will serve a family of four a whole chicken and sides for a really great price.”
Cattle Grid currently operates five sites, four in London and one in Leeds. It has secured a further site in Wandsworth and is thought to be targeting an opening in Brighton later this year.
