Olive Tree Brasserie seeks investors to grow

The family-run brand has launched a 164-cover restaurant in the city centre ahead of plans to grow across the north of England.

Founder Dean Wilson told BigHospitality the latest restaurant was already outperforming the group’s existing sites and that he saw clear potential to expand the brand.​

He added that it had been a ‘no brainer’ to open in Chester, where he saw a gap in the market for the group’s modern Greek food.

It follows an unsuccessful crowdfunding campaign​ towards the opening of the new restaurant, which Wilson admits failed to gain traction.

Though the restaurateur managed to raise funding for the third site himself, he confirmed he was still looking for outside investment to grow the brand to ten sites in the North West.

“[Expansion] probably won’t happen as soon as originally thought, but the business is still growing so I’m still really happy with it,” said Wilson.

Olive Tree Brasserie first launched in St Annes, Lancashire in 2007, and has since tripled in size to employ over 60 staff.

“[The restaurant] just started from nothing, it was quite basic and has been gradually built up,” said Wilson.

“It’s crazy how it’s gone from absolutely nothing to a growing brand, but it’s brilliant."

Wilson told BigHospitality last year​ that he was considering potential sites in Manchester ahead of plans to turn Olive Tree Brasserie in to a national chain.

"[Chester] is a big move for the brand, coming from a very small seaside town to a city competing with big chains," he said.