Gusto kicks off southern expansion plans

Northern casual dining restaurant brand Gusto is to open three new restaurants in the south of England over the next 18 months, following the launch of its first in Chislehurst this summer.

Chislehurst will be the brand's 18th site in the UK. It joins a portfolio of restaurants across the North West, Yorkshire, Midlands and Scotland.

In March Gusto Restaurants secured an additional £9m in funding to support its growth plans.

Managing director Sue Crimes said: "We see real opportunity to grow our brand in the London area and South East.

"We have always intended to grow our presence in the region, and over the past few months we have visited a number of fantastic established and emerging locations that would be ideal to open a Gusto restaurant. There is such a great variety of venues, we've got our work cut out to find the perfect ones."

Gusto restaurants offer Italian-style dishes such as tagliatelle with prawns and garlic; 28 day aged premium steak with garlic butter, roasted vine tomatoes and fries; whole salt baked sea bass infused with lemon and Italian herbs; and freshly made pizzas.

Gusto was originally part of the Living Ventures group. In 2014, Palatine Private Equity supported Crimes and the management team in a management buy-out.

Living Ventures plans Gusto roll-out >>

Gusto Restaurants secures £9m for expansion >>

Gusto plans four new openings in 2016 >>

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