Restaurant group Canteen to expand to up to 15 sites in five years
British restaurant group Canteen plans to expand its business across London and grow up to 15 sites in the next five years.
The group, which currently has four outlets in London, is looking at locations in high-profile areas in the capital including Soho, Covent Garden, Kensington and the City.
It is also looking at extending its offer to include A1 sites offering its menu of classic British food as take-away over the counter.
Following the departure of founding partner and executive chef Cass Titcombe, who left the group to concentrate on opening his own venture in the West Country next year, Canteen has appointed former Swan Collection chef Richard Edney as its new executive head chef. Former Gordon Ramsay Holdings and Swan Collection chef Mark Sargeant will also join the business and work alongside Edney on menu development. Canteen will launch a range of new dishes and further develop its menu over the next six to nine months.
Canteen founding director Patrick Clayton-Malone told Caterer the group wanted to establish its brand on the high street. "We're looking at sites across London for now but a restaurant outside the capital will be a possibility later on in the game," he said. "We've had lots of offers to branch out into A1 sites, so we're looking at this as well which will give us an opportunity to be more flexible as a brand."
Commenting on Edney and Sargeant's appointment, Clayton-Malone added: "They are both great ambassadors for British food and will help ensure we offer consistency and quality across all restaurants. We will introduce lots of changes over the coming months, including things like feasting menus, a take-away service and event catering."
Canteen was founded by Clayton-Malone, Titcombe and Dominic Lake in 2005 when the group launched its first site in Spitalfields. A second restaurant at the Royal Festival Hall at London's South Bank followed in 2007 and further sites in Baker Street and Canary Wharf opened in 2009.
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By Kerstin Kühn
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