Tortilla partners with Chartwells Universities to open further campus restaurants

Chartwells Universities has partnered with Mexican chain Tortilla to open at least 14 further campus restaurants over the next five years.

Tortilla has already launched sites at Middlesex University, Brunel University, the University of Sussex and Swansea University with Chartwells, with further openings planned this year.

Customers will be able to eat in, take away or order via Chartwells Universities’ ‘Uni Food Hub’ app for collection or delivery around campuses. The restaurants also offer home delivery on Deliveroo in certain locations.

Tortilla, which was founded in 2007 and operates more than 50 UK locations, is undergoing an expansion drive with the goal of growing to around 107 restaurants by 2026.

It is looking to expand beyond the high street and in recent months has opened at Gatwick Airport and Leeds Skelton Lakes Services in partnership with SSP Group.

Last year the company’s admission to AIM, the London Stock Exchange’s market for small and medium-size companies, raised £5m towards its growth plans.

Andy Naylor, chief financial officer of Tortilla, said: “In recent years, we have been successful in adapting the brand for new locations and formats, and this will be another opportunity for us to showcase our ability to bring Tortilla to customers across a breadth of locations.

“This is a significant agreement for us and will support our long-term UK growth ambitions, while driving consumer awareness within a key target demographic.”

Chartwells Universities is part of Compass UK & Ireland's education arm and operates more than 16 sites across the country.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.