Lupita, the Mexican restaurant group, is preparing to open its third London site as part of plans to reach five in the next 12 months M&C has learnt.
The group has secured the former 900sq ft Giraffe site at 7 Kensington High Street, which is set to open at the end of November.
Founder Rafael Mondragon said after six units the group, which is currently independently funded, will look to attract private equity to ramp up the roll-out.
Mondragon– who currently operates two restaurants at Villiers Street and in Whitechapel – told M&C he is looking at high street locations across the capital for the next sites but lamented the competitive nature of the property market in London.
He said after five sites Lupita will look at expansion opportunities outside of London and believes cities such as Liverpool and Manchester offer opportunities as well as fewer competitors for property than in the capital.
The Kensington restaurant will be the first Lupita to offer take away as well as the main menu.
Richard Negus at AG&G acted on the Kensington High Street deal.
