RMAL Hospitality, the Dubai-based group that’s rolling out the Marco Pierre White restaurant brands outside the UK and Ireland, is looking to open between 20 and 25 new sites under the venture over the next five years, RMAL chief executive Anthony Liddiard has told M&C Report.
The hospitality operator, which is part of the Al Fahim Group, already operates Frankie’s Italian Bar and Grill sites in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, Marco Pierre White Steakhouse and Grill in Abu Dhabi, and Wheeler’s of St. James’s in Dubai. It has signed up to open the Marco Pierre White Grill at the Conrad Dubai hotel in the city in Q4 2013.
Asked about RMAL’s expansion plans for the Marco Pierre White brands, Liddiard told M&C Report: “We are not taking a ‘flags-on-map’ approach to the development of these brands. We are primarily interested in the quality and experience of the partners we hope to work with. With regards to numbers, we will be looking at 20-25 new restaurants in the next five years.”
He said the group was targeting “all areas outside the UK and Ireland”. “In addition to the major gateway cities we feel that the portfolio of brands can work in niche markets, particularly within a hotel setting.”
Liddiard said RMAL is currently in discussions with “a number of potential partners” regarding the next opening after Conrad Dubai, and the company expects the next restaurant to open in 2014.
He added: “We are seeking partners who have the skills, experience and expertise to operate quality restaurants. We see a natural fit with hotel operators who are in search of exciting food and beverage experiences for their clients. As we expand we will be very careful to ensure that the restaurants meet the expectations of the local market and this is why the selection of our local partners is so important.
Regarding evolution of the brands, Liddiard said: “Every brand needs to be regenerated from time to time and we will continue to enhance our restaurants and evolve based on market trends.”
The Titanic restaurant at Meliá Dubai, which was run in partnership with Pierre White, recently closed as part of a “strategic decision” by the high-profile chef. RMAL was not involved in that restaurant.
