Thai Leisure Group to expand after £10m investment

31 March 2015 by
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."

Thai Leisure Group plans London expansion after strong sales >>

Thai Leisure Group to launch new Thaikhun concept in Manchester >>

The Caterer Breakfast Briefing Email

Start the working day with The Caterer’s free breakfast briefing email

Sign Up and manage your preferences below

Check mark icon
Thank you

You have successfully signed up for the Caterer Breakfast Briefing Email and will hear from us soon!

Jacobs Media is honoured to be the recipient of the 2020 Queen's Award for Enterprise.

The highest official awards for UK businesses since being established by royal warrant in 1965. Read more.

close

Ad Blocker detected

We have noticed you are using an adblocker and – although we support freedom of choice – we would like to ask you to enable ads on our site. They are an important revenue source which supports free access of our website's content, especially during the COVID-19 crisis.

trade tracker pixel tracking