Giraffe plans to roll out brands across the UK
High-street restaurant chain Giraffe plans to expand across the country and will continue to develop its brand extensions, including Giraffe Café and Giraffe Stop.
The company, which currently operates 44 outlets across the UK, has a further three in the pipeline for 2011 , including sites in Stratford, Chelmsford and Sheffield.
Giraffe, which recently launched its first Bar & Grill restaurant in Soho aimed at the late-night market, also plans to extend its subsidiary brands, including the all-day Giraffe Café focused on busy neighbourhood locations, and the grab-and-go Giraffe Stop at mainline stations.
Chairman Luke Johnson commented: "Expansion has been through both acquisition of sites and the opening of two further sites in new regions for the business, in Scotland and in Birmingham, as well as a site in Bath in April.
"There are still many areas of the country that Giraffe plans to serve over the coming years. We believe the brand has extremely strong appeal, thanks to engaging service and a good-value menu."
The company has reported earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization of £3.3m for the year to 27 March, with turnover up nearly 17% to £34.4m.
Giraffe is owned by Russel and Juliette Joffe and Andrew Jacobs with backing from Risk Capital Partners (RCP) and 3i.
RCP is the entrepreneurial private-equity firm founded by Johnson, which backed Giraffe in 2004 when the group had just seven sites.
Giraffe to open two Giraffe Cafés to appeal to more cosmopolitan market >>
Giraffe to open 10 new restaurants >>
By Kerstin Kühn
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