Profits rise follows Oriental expansion

Rapidly expanding Oriental Restaurant Group has announced a 30% increase in pre-tax profits for the year to 31 March - from £1.39m to £1.81m.

Now the company, which almost doubled its number of restaurants over the course of the year, plans to continue its expansion with the opening of an eighth in Bishopsgate, London, in September.

The group is also looking for a suitable site for a central processing kitchen, which chairman Andrew Hobbs says will lead to improved economies and quality control, and allow for a higher ratio of restaurant to kitchen space since smaller restaurant kitchens will be required.

Group turnover grew by just over 20% during 1997, from £7m to £8.42m, while wholesaling division Chuanglee posted a £160,000 profit after a slight loss the previous year.

"Considerable progress has been made for the preparation of an accelerated restaurant expansion programme," concluded Wright.