Clean Kitchen Club overhauls estate as it targets further growth

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Plant-based fast food brand Clean Kitchen Club has closed its Notting Hill site and is to refurbish its Camden restaurant as part of an overhaul of its estate.

The London-based group, which also has locations in Soho, Wembley and Battersea, is 'upgrading' the branding at its Camden site as part of a growth plan for this year that will see the business target further expansion in the UK, pivot towards the retail space and explore the potential for taking Clean Kitchen Club overseas.

In a LinkedIn post, CEO and founder Mikey Pearce, who leads Clean Kitchen Club with Verity Bowditch, said he was anticipating some 'really punchy growth' in 2023.

“I’ve never been more motivated and excited to work with Verity on our mission,” he said.

“There are lots of ups and downs running a business and I’m sure this year will be just as challenging, but we are ready.”

The branding at the Camden site will be brought in line with the group's recent opening at Battersea Power Station, with the new look set to be replicated across the Clean Kitchen Club estate. 

Pearce said the Battersea site has been a 'phenomenal sucess' since opening at the tail end of last year, and the group is currently looking at further sites for what he has described as 'something never seen before in the QSR market'.

The decision to close the Notting Hill site, meanwhile, reflects the group's aim to 'streamline its business slightly' as it looks to make the move to retail, with a line of products expected to launch into supermarkets later this year. 

International expansion is also being explored.

“Businesses have to pivot in order to survive a climate that evolves quickly,” Pearce added.

“Soaring inflation, negative headlines, energy bills at an all time high, and a cost of living crisis, there are many challenges that we have to face in order to build Clean to the number one plant based food brand.”

Clean Kitchen Club started out life in 2020 as a delivery-only brand before moving into bricks and mortar in 2021. 

Last summer the group raised £2m in its seed funding round, boosted by investments from people including former CEO of McDonald’s Steve Easterbrook, and ex-chairman of Quorn Clive Sharpe.

At the time the group relayed plans to expand nationally with outposts in Brighton and Manchester expected to launch before the end of the year. However, there has been no further update on the status of those sites.