Bar Soba aiming to expand in to a national brand

The company, which began as a pop-up restaurant at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 1997, is aiming to eventually reach 30 sites across the UK.

It is already considering venues in key cities including Aberdeen, Liverpool, Manchester and Newcastle to expand its five-strong portfolio.

The group will initially target growth in Scotland and the North of England before looking further afield.

Brad Stevens, founder of Bar Soba, said: “Expanding to 12 city centre locations will allow even more drinkers and diners to enjoy our combination of indulgent cocktails, freshly prepared street food inspired by the night markets of South East Asia and music.”

Bar Soba currently has sites in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Leeds and is aiming to become one of the first Scottish restaurant brands to expand across the UK and beyond.

Top team​

Ahead of its growth the group has appointed industry veteran Mohan Mansigani as non-executive chair.

Mansigani previously served as chief financial officer at Casual Dining Group from 2002-14 and worked as finance director at Costa Coffee and TGI Fridays.

“I’ve worked with some really vibrant brands during my career and I see many of the same elements in the DNA of Bar Soba,” said Mansigani.

“I’m looking forward to working with Brad to help him fulfil his ambitions for the business, which I believe will prove to be just as popular in the North of England and further afield as it has been in its Scottish heartland.”

In February Bar Soba introduced the National Living Wage two months early​ in order to support its ‘relentless’ expansion plans.

Stevens said at the time that his employees were the ‘heart and soul’ of the business and that the group would be unable to grow without them.