Meatball company gets rolling

By Rosalind Mullen

The Yorkshire Meatball Co has signed its first franchise agreement, worth more than £100,000 over two years.

Under the deal, it will run a speciality meatball restaurant at Splendid Hospitality Group's new property, Hotel Indigo York Walmgate, which opens its doors this summer.

The 70-cover restaurant is the second outlet for the meatball company. Father and son team David and Gareth Atkinson launched their concept in Harrogate in March 2014, serving a range of meat, fish, vegetarian and sweet "balls" smothered in sauce.

In its first year, the company served more than 85,000 balls to more than 28,000 customers and turned over more than £330,000. In February, the duo set out their ambition to attract investors and expand to high footfall areas of Leeds, York and other cities.

Commenting on the franchise deal, David said: "There has been a huge demand from our existing customers to open a branch in York, so we are delighted to be on board with Splendid Hospitality Group to facilitate this move and help us reach a wider audience."

The business has won a number of awards, including Newcomer of the Year in the 2014 Harrogate Hospitality and Tourism Awards as well as being named the Yorkshire & Humberside Winner in the Big Start-up Loans Competition.

Pictured from left is Gareth Atkinson, operations and marketing for the Yorkshire Meatball Company, David Atkinson, managing director of the Yorkshire Meatball Co and Mike Sweeting, general manager of Hotel Indigo York

Yorkshire Meatball Company eyes expansion >>

Is it time for a change? See all the current retail vacancies available with The Caterer Jobs >>