Sanguine Hospitality signs franchise to open 50 Marco Pierre White restaurants

Hotel development company Sanguine Hospitality is to open 50 new restaurants using Marco Pierre White's name, after striking a master franchising deal with the chef.

The franchise agreement, with New York Italian Ltd of which White (pictured) is a shareholder, is for Sanguine Hospitality to oversee the roll out across the UK of the Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill and Marco's New York Italian concepts, which is expected to total 50 new franchised restaurants within five years.

Located on the ground floor of the new build tower in Manchester, the 150-cover eaterie will have its own entrance off Station Approach and is aimed at hotel guests and passers-by.

Investment fund managers Tritax Group has structured the restaurant as an Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) qualifying company, thereby allowing investors to benefit from the tax incentives offered by HMRC.

A further two Hotel Indigo hotels featuring Marco Pierre White restaurants are already planned to begin this year, in Cardiff city centre and a London location.

It is not the first time Sanguine and Marco Pierre White have worked together. All three existing Hotel Indigo Marco Pierre White hotel/restaurants in Birmingham, Liverpool and Newcastle (which opened in 2011, 2011 and 2012 respectively), have traded well ahead of expectations in their first year, according to Sanguine.

At Hotel Indigo Birmingham, the restaurant sales of the Marco Pierre White restaurant beat expectations by 157% in its first year.

Marco Pierre White said: "I am delighted to have signed a master franchise agreement with Sanguine that will see us open 50 new restaurants across the UK and Northern Ireland over the next five years. There is no better suited location than Manchester to embark on this ambitious expansion plan. With Manchester now attracting talent away from London, the City is in a prime position to capitalise on the continued economic recovery."

Anna Corkill, development director for UK and Ireland for IHG said: "Sanguine Hospitality is a valued partner of ours and the relationship continues to go from strength to strength. We remain committed to working with reputable investors and owners in the industry for the long-term in order to deliver high-quality, sustainable growth."

Investment sought for Manchester Indigo hotel and Marco Pierre White restaurant >>