MJMK launches crowdfund to expand Casa do Frango and launch second concept with Santiago Lastra
MJMK is seeking an initial investment of £1m accelerate the expansion of its Portuguese piri-piri chicken restaurant Casa do Frango across London as well as open a new venue with chef-partner Lastra, building on their partnership with the chef.
Founded by Marco Mendes and Jake Kasumov, MJMK Restaurants joined forces with Lastra in 2020 to open fine dining Mexican restaurant KOL, which has gone on to win a Michelin star.
MJMK launched with investment from friends, family and angel investors but the group says it is now looking to bring its wider community into the business through crowdfunding. The targeted funds, which are being raised on crowdfunding platform Crowdcube, will drive its planned growth organically, its says.
Casa do Frango, inspired by the food of Mendes’ heritage and upbringing in southern Portugal, opened in London Bridge in 2018, with further sites opening in Shoreditch in 2019 and Mayfair in 2022. The crowdfunding campaign will allow MJMK to open Casa do Frango in Victoria this summer.
The company is offering tiered ‘investor perks’, starting from a £100 investment. Perks include everything from pastéis de nata and Boa Pinga vinho verde wine at Casa do Frango, to meals at KOL and Lisboeta. For the higher level investors there will be access to chef tastings and a dedicated reservations line, among other benefits.
“Crowdfunding through Crowdcube is a great opportunity to raise funds for growth and bring more trusted people into our valued MJMK community,” says Kasumov. “Plans are under way to open a new restaurant with chef Santiago Lastra, meaning his creativity and talent can be enjoyed by even more guests.
“We’re also excited to bring Casa do Frango to more neighbourhoods across London. Our goal is organic and sustainable growth, happening for the right reasons, and crowdfunding will enable us to do this.”
“We’ve chosen to go down the crowdfunding route because it offers the opportunity to bring like-minded investors into the growth of our business,” adds Mendes. It means we can expand consciously and carefully, remaining true to the authentic roots of our concepts and opening restaurants that we and our investors truly believe in.”
MJMK's crowdfunding campaign is now open for early registration access until 8 May, with potential investors able to register their interest here. The campaign will officially go live on Crowdcube on 9 May.
