Lifestyle Hospitality Group (LHG) is planning to open 10 – 12 UK venues this year focusing on Tiger Bills and Burgerfest - its newest brand, M&C learnt.
A third Burgerfest is due to open in Exeter this month and the group is looking at sites in Bristol, Cardiff, Manchester and Liverpool to expand across the UK.
The second Burgerfest opened in Taunton, Devon, at the end of August and has far exceeded sales expectations according to Ioan Eyton-Jones, operations director at LHG.
He said LHG’s growth aspirations for the brand are to expand under a managed model domestically while also receiving interest internationally to open under a franchise.
He said: “As it is our newest brand and one that is by far outperforming expectations we are remaining protective of it and conscious we want to work with the right partners for it. Burgerfest is really taking hold and received great response from guests.”
For Tiger Bills - the East meets West concept - it is launching its first international, restaurant at the end of September.
Tiger Bills will open in Kiev, Ukraine, on 28 September following refurbishment to match the new format Tiger Bills that has been introduced to core UK sites as part of a rebranding exercise.
Eyton-Jones told M&C the rebranding of the UK estate included refurbishment of restaurants, menu updates and updating staff training.
He said the new look is inspired by a modernisation of the brand to evolve it.
The menu includes 35% of new dishes and a focus on fresh ingredients, with all products now made in-house and chefs fully trained to cook both the Western and Eastern menu rather than specialising on Thai or Grill.
Eyton-Jones said the refurbished sites in Torquay and Exeter have enjoyed a 20% sales hike for the six weeks following the refurbishment.
