CAU, the sister concept to Gaucho, has secured sites in Exeter and Leamington Spa, as its looks to open eight to 10 sites a year.
The 17-strong brand, which is backed by Equistone private equity, will open in Exeter’s Broadwalk House development opposite the city’s Princesshay Shopping Centre’s Roman Walk and of the former Superdry store on Leamington Spa’s Regent Street later this year.
The Graham Hall-led group, which will soon open in Birmingham’s Brindleyplace, is also thought to be looking at opportunities in Edinburgh and overseas.
Equistone completed the acquisition of CAU and sister brand Gaucho at the start of the year in a deal valued at c100m. It is believed to have secured a capex facility of £20m as part of the acquisition
CAU is actively looking to create a hub of sites in the Midlands.
It is looking to recreate the group of restaurants it is developing in the North West, by adding further units to its upcoming opening in Birmingham.
It is thought that Gaucho and CAU will both look to add sites internationally, as well as in the UK, over the next few years, with the former believed to be assessing opportunities in Ireland and Scotland and the later looking at sites in Europe and the Middle East.
As revealed by M&C earlier this year, CAU expects to open a further international site by the end of 2016.
Insight Retail acts as property advisor to the group.
