First Restaurant Group in private equity talks about Harry Morgan expansion

It is also planning to expand its four-strong pub estate and has identified several waterside locations to open more units along the lines of its current Waterway and Summerhouse sites.

Harry Morgan​

The group, which is having a “very strong year” is planning to open its first franchise site in Moscow under the Harry Morgan brand this September, with a further opening in the city planned for 2014 and one in St Petersburg in 2015.

It currently operates the Harry Morgan in St John’s Wood, London and five further units under the brand in Latvia.

The company, which is led by Mitch Tillman, is currently turning its Clerk & Well into a boutique pub hotel - building works started on the upper parts in May.

Moscow​

On Moscow, Tillman told M&C Report: “We signed the franchise agreement earlier in the year and our new partners in Moscow have recently signed the lease on a large site right in the centre. The site is similar in many ways to our flagship double unit site in St. Johns Wood with lots of passing footfall.

“The building is very old in Moscow and so the electric supply into the building is being upgraded and building works are commencing shortly with opening scheduled for the end of September 2013. A further site is also being negotiated on for 2014 and our partners there wish to follow this with a site in St. Petersburg in 2015.”

This story was first published by BigHospitality's sister publication M&C Report. To subscribe to M&C Report​ contact Emily Croft on 01293 846578 or email rzvyl.pebsg@jeoz.pbz​.​