Fine Food Capital owned by Singha Corporation, the Thailand-based owner of the eponymous beer brand, is eyeing further acquisitions in the UK and has appointed Rufus Hall, the former chief executive of Orchid Group, as managing director to oversee its growth plans, M&C Report has learnt.
Hall is joined at Fine Food Capital by Jon Lake, former head of Deloitte leisure advisory arm, who takes up the position of development director.
It is thought that the group wants to establish a significant presence in the UK creating an “Asian-focused group” of brands and is keen to add businesses in the casual dining and fast casual categories to its portfolio.
Last year, it acquired the four-strong Oriental Restaurant Group, which was previously operated and managed by Orchid Group and includes the Sri Nam restaurant at Canary Wharf and the Imperial City at the Royal Exchange in the City of London, for an undisclosed sum. In addition to further acquisitions in the UK, Fine Food Capital will invest in the refurbishment of its existing sites and create a high end, “destination” Thai/Asian business.
Singha sees the deal as a beach-head acquisition – a platform for further expansion in the UK’s restaurant sector and a new avenue to showcase its drinks brands.
The majority of Orchid was sold to Mitchells & Butlers earlier this year for £266m.
