Abokado targets rapid London expansion

The company, which is backed by private equity investment firm Kings Park Capital, recently opened its seventh site in London near St James’s park tube station. The site is the first to feature the group’s new store design, which includes subtler colours and more natural wood finishes.

The group is in advanced negotiations regarding sites in the West End and the City, and hopes that both will be open by the end of September. It has also made offers on two further sites.

Lilley told BigHospitality that the group aimed to have a 12th site opened by the end of its financial year next March.

He said: “Although the company has always been well known for its strong product, our store design has been a weakness, but we believe we have rectified that with the new look at the Victoria site. With the evolution of the store design in place, we will look to open a further eight sites in the following year, which will take us up to an estate of 20 sites. By 2014 we hope to be in a position to open one a month.”

The company currently operates a kiosk site at Euston Station. Lilley said that the group had received approaches from Network Rail to open further kiosk units but that it was concentrating on the expansion of its standalone sites at the moment.

Head of operations​

To help it with its expansion plans the company, which offers sushi, salads, soups and wraps, has appointed its first head of operations.

Julie Armstrong, former area manager at Caffe Nero, operations manager at BaxterStorey, and most recently energy team leader at Restaurant Associates, has taken on the day to day running of the chain.

Lilley said: “Julie has already made a difference with the general execution of our day to day offer.”

Mark Wingett is associate editor for BigHospitality's sister publication, M&C Report​.​