Thai Leisure Group to expand after £10m investment
The Thai Leisure Group (TLG) is to embark on a nationwide restaurant roll-out after receiving a £10m investment from Santander.
The group has confirmed that it is to expand its fine dining brand Chaophraya and its street-food inspired arm, Thaikhun, with the ultimate aim of creating a strong presence in the south of England, to build on its current presence in the north and in Scotland.
TLG expects to open six new sites this year, and eight more throughout 2016, with the first set to open in Oxford (on the site of the former Cleaver restaurant) in April, and in Cambridge's Quayside in May.
Other cities in the pipeline for Thaikhun include Guildford and Nottingham.
The expansion confirmation comes following the group's statement that it hoped to expand into London in 2015, after it reported strong like-for-like sales growth in summer 2014.
Overall, TLG operates 11 restaurants and four cocktail bars across the north of England, and in Scotland, including in Manchester's Spinningfields, and Aberdeen's Union Square.
Chaophraya has sites in Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Birmingham, while TLG also operates the Palm Sugar bar group, and the Chaobaby brand in Sheffield and Manchester.
The group was first opened 10 years ago in Leeds by Martin Stead and partner Kim Kaewkraikhot.
Commenting on the expansion plans, Stead said: "This is certainly an exciting time for Kim and I. I feel we are well positioned in a market which is very buoyant. It's really a case of watch this space!"
Steve Harrison, growth capital director, Santander Corporate & Commercial, said that the funding was testament to TLG's success. He added: "The business is one of the fastest growing and exciting in the sector with huge potential for future growth and it is great to be able to support Martin, Kim and the team in the next stage of their journey."
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