Speciality Restaurants plans to expand abroad via franchising

Mar 12, 2010

Speciality Restaurants that runs restaurant chain Mainland China and Oh! Calcutta is expanding its international presence this year. The firm is launching Mainland China in Dubai, Doha, Qatar and Sri Lanka through the franchise route. The firm's international presence is limited to Beijing and Bangladesh.

Anjan Chatterjee, founder of Speciality Restaurants said, "We had plans of entering the US and UK but those plans have got delayed because of recession. However we are rolling out our restaurants in other international markets. Mainland China and Oh! Calcutta will be rolled out in Sri Lanka, Dubai, Doha and Qatar."

In the domestic market, Speciality Restaurants is set to launch a new format, which is a Lebanese lounge bar named Kibbeh. The first Kibbeh lounge bar is coming up in Hyderabad. It is also planning to open another Mexican specialty restaurant this year.

The restaurant chain operates 61 restaurants under Sigree, Flame & Grill, Hakka, Machaan, Mostly Kababs and Just Biryani besides Mainland China and Oh!Calcutta. It aims to have about 100 Mainland China up from existing 32 in two years.

The company has earmarked an investment of about Rs 100 crore towards addition of about 20 new restaurants in India this year. The investment will be funded through internal accruals and debt.

According to Chatterjee, long-term plans include an IPO in two years to provide exit opportunity to private equity firm, Saif Partners that holds about 12 percent stake in the company. Chatterjee added, "We will become the first Indian restaurant chain to be listed on the bourses."