Hickory’s secures Shrewsbury site

American barbecue and smokehouse restaurant Hickory’s has secured its 12^th site – former bar & grill The Waterfront in Shrewsbury.

Located in Victoria Quay, the site is the third acquisition for the Piper-backed business since the beginning of the year.

The business secured the former Vernon Arms pub in Poynton Cheshire and the former Harvester restaurant in Altrincham Road, Wilmslow, earlier this year.

MCA understands a further location has been lined up in Staffordshire, which will be the first iteration of the business’ new-build template and is due to open next year.

Speaking to MCA earlier this year, managing director John Welsh said: “We are happy with our rate of around three openings a year, but I think we could start moving it to four.”

He said the operator had always been very considered in its growth – “some people might say we have been slow but I’d like to think we get it right each time”.

In terms of how far Hickory’s could go one day, Welsh said there is no reason why it couldn’t get to 100 sites, but for the time being they are focused on filling the gaps between the North West and the Midlands.