Giggling Squid proceeds with plan to become national chain

18-Aug-2013 - Last updated on 19-Aug-2013 at 08:13 GMT

Related tags Sister publication m&c South east england Kent

Thai restaurant chain Giggling Squid has secured two new sites, including its first in the Midlands

Giggling Squid, the fast-growing Thai restaurant chain, has secured a further two sites, including its first in the Midlands, a key part of its plans to have a national presence.

The six-strong company, which is led by Andy Laurillard, has secured the Strada in Stratford-upon-Avon and a unit at 33 Earl Street in Maidstone, according to BigHospitality's sister publication M&C Report.

The group, which opened its first site in Hove in 2009, will open its seventh site next month in Marlow and is advanced talks on a further unit in West Sussex, with Horsham a target town.

The Maidstone site will feature 200 covers and Laurillard expects it to be the group’s 10th restaurant when it opens in early 2014.

Last month, Laurillard said the group was being approached almost daily regarding new investment, but was two to three years away from looking to take on outside investment.

Earlier this year, the group revealed ambitions to become the first national chain of Thai restaurants with plans to operate an 80-strong estate across the UK within the next seven years.

It has sites in Hove, Brighton, Crawley, Tunbridge Wells, Henley-on-Thames and Reigate.

Laurillard will speak about the development and success of Giggling Squid at M&C Report's Restaurant Conference on 3 October at the Landmark Hotel in Marylebone. To reserve a place e-mail Alice Wilson on alice.wilson@wrbm.com.

This story was first published by M&C Report. To subscribe contact Emily Croft on 01293 846578 or email rzvyl.pebsg@jeoz.pbz.