George Bukhov confirms three new Burger & Lobster London sites
George Bukhov, co-founder and director of Burger & Lobster, has confirmed three new sites will open in London.
Speaking at The Caterer's Foodservice Forum event at Kings Place today (18 March) he told delegates the company has signed a deal for a restaurant at the W London hotel in Leicester Square.
The other two restaurants will be in West India Quay and Holborn.
He described the rent hike in the capital - which in some cases has increased anywhere between 50% and 100% in the last five years - as crazy. He said the situation was particularly bad in Mayfair and Covent Garden.
"It's not sustainable for restaurant businesses or anyone," he said. "London attracts brands but more properties are empty as fewer tenants can afford to pay the rent."
Despite the new restaurants planned for London, he said the firm would be predominantly focusing on the US and China over the next couple of years.
Bukhov also said the business would have to consider increasing prices for the first time since the restaurant chain opened in the UK.
He said: "Lobster prices went up but we didn't change our prices. It's something we will have to look into otherwise it will become too difficult."
Around 70 people attended the Foodservice Forum, which included talks from Charles Banks, co-founder of the Food People, former Gold Service Scholarship winner and Club Lounge 39 manager Daniele Quattromini, and 2015 Hotel Catey Outstanding Contribution Award winner Philip Newman-Hall.
Burger & Lobster to open 10th London restaurant >>