The company, which is led by co-founder Mark Wright, has signed a deal with a family-run, international franchise group, with the first site under the agreement set to launch in Dubai next year.
“They approached us on a no-fee, profit-sharing basis,” he says. “We now have plans to be in six countries eventually.”
Rola Wala, which serves Handmade sourdough naan rolls with various healthy fillings, currently has sites in Trinity Leeds and in London’s Shoreditch, which it opened in July. Wright says the company could grow to up to 40 sites in the UK in the medium to long-term.
The brand’s next UK location is set to be at Oxford Westgate, which is due to open next month. It will join restaurant brands including Benito’s Hat, Shawa Lebanese Grill, Pho, Pizza Pilgrims, Shoryu, Dirty Bones and The Breakfast Club.
The company also expects to open a van in central London and another London site this year. It hopes to open a further four sites in the UK in 2018.
Earlier this year Rola Wala secured investment from Camden Town Brewery, Barworks and The Diner co-founders Marc FrancisBaum, Andreas Akerlund and Patric Franzen.
This story is based on information that first appeared on BigHospitality’s sister website MCA. To subscribe to its breaking news feed, click here