Thunderbird Fried Chicken to open permanent site following TriSpan investment

Street food operator Thunderbird Fried Chicken is set to open its first restaurant in Brixton next month after securing private equity funding from TriSpan.

The wings and fried chicken concept, founded by Matt Harris in 2015, had been operating out of London Union's street food markets in Shoreditch and Canary Wharf.

The investment has seen Marcel Khan, who previously worked with Loch Fyne and Nando's, appointed chief executive with immediate effect. Former Itsu CEO Ivan Schofield has been appointed non-executive chairman, alongside Tortilla Mexican Grill founder Brandon Stephens, Ian Edward and Trispan partners Robin Rowland and Joseph-Patrick Dib.

Harris said: "This investment represents a huge leap forward in making a dream come true. Thunderbird Fried Chicken was a business born of passion and I am incredibly grateful to the angel investors and Ivan, who supported me at the outset, and to TriSpan, Marcel and the whole team for recognising its potential and joining us on the journey."

Harris will continue to be involved in the business, focusing on creative and food development as well as kitchen design.

Khan said: "Thunderbird was love at first bite; I'm excited about supporting Matt and the team to deliver a world-class product to a wider market. The UK is ready for quality fried chicken and wings."

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