The Croydon branch of Cosmo, which already operates restaurants in nine different locations across the UK, will serve will serve more than 300 different dishes from all over the world, with Asian and European food at the forefront of the menu.
A spokeswoman for London-based Cosmo told BigHospitality that the chain aimed to ‘create an experience for customers, so that they can taste cross country food within one premises without the need to travel’.
Although no figures were available to indicate how much the 800-seater restaurant would cost to run, the spokeswoman described the project as “massive”.
European ambitions
The Croydon restaurant will be the first of Cosmo’s outlets to diversify from the Pan Asian menu, with previous outlets across the South East of England and the Midlands operating as Chinese buffets or Pan Asian restaurants.
A spokesperson for Cosmo told BigHospitality that the world cuisine concept was the 'third stage' of it's brand development, and that it plans to open world cuisine outlets in Birmingham and Manchester within three years.
In addition, the chain is hoping to take the concept to Europe, with outlets proposed in Barcelona, Paris, Amsterdam and Berlin.
Cosmo opened its first Chinese buffet in Eastbourne in 2003, before rapidly expanding its premises portfolio, with outlets in Chatham, Tunbridge, Hastings Romford, Swindon, Bristol, Cardiff and Coventry. As it opened more restaurants, it also expanded the concept, branching into Pan Asian cuisine, and then finally the ‘world kitchen’ concept.
Entertaining, fresh menu
The company’s philosophy, the spokeswoman said, was to “cook fresh, eat fresh, maximise our menu, to entertain as we cook, and give value for money.”
She added: “Our dynamic success is symbolised by our logo, The Pathway to Longevity, because the Chinese symbol for long life perfectly sums up our long-standing commitment to creating quality Pan Asian food, providing respectful customer service and permanently delivering value for money.”