Up to five new UK sites per year could be on the cards for Las Iguanas, as it looks to expand despite rising costs and stiff competition, according to The Times.

The Latin American restaurant chain, operated by Casual Dining Group, currently has 57 sites, including two franchise units at Center Parcs in Longleat and Woburn.

James Spragg, chief executive of Casual Dining Group, said Las Iguanas recent openings in Birmingham, Watford and Bracknell were performing well.

“Las Iguanas is a vibrant and differentiated brand and is one of the key focuses for Casual Dining Group’s growth plans,” he told The Times.

Las Iguanas opened its first overseas restaurant in Gibraltar last summer and is due to open in Dublin next June under a deal with Irish restaurant entrepreneur Robert O’Donoghue.