Dev Biswal, chef patron of The Ambrette restaurant which has sites in Margate and Rye, has plans to expand the Indian fine-dining concept to six sites in the South East and London before embarking on a new business venture under a franchise model.
The Ambrette at Rye, which opened in December 2012, is already fully booked throughout the week for lunch and dinner and Biswal believes he has found the winning formula for the restaurant:
“It’s a combination of the location, the style and concept of food that we’re offering and the value in today’s digital market. We’ve been in Margate for quite some time, but Rye has been the test for the concept really, and it’s proven to be really, really busy. The restaurant started becoming financially viable from the second month of business which was very encouraging for us.
“We’re now looking at good, affluent locations in the South East to set up more Ambrettes -we’re looking at Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks, Guildford and Canterbury.”
Biswal trained at the Dubai Sheraton, before moving to London in 2003, aged 26, for spells at Mangoes and Eriki. The chef explained that his expansion plans are fairly risk-averse as he hopes to ultimately take The Ambrette to London.
“At the moment, lending from banks is not very promising, but our businesses are funding the growth. Each new restaurant is funding the growth for the next one, which is a good way to go as it means we’re not taking too many risks.
“I think we’d like to hit the tourist spots in London’s West End. The capital is a real platform for international expansion.”
Franchise business model
With Masala Zone (seven sites) currently the largest branded Indian restaurant chain in the UK, the chef hopes to eventually move onto a different format of Indian restaurant under a franchise business model.
“I’d like to cap our growth of the Ambrette concept to six in the UK and then maybe expand to other formats and try a franchisee model with simpler cuisine, working with less ingredients,” he added.
The Ambrette in Margate Old Town – 44 King Street, Margate, Kent CT9 1QE
01843 231504
The Ambrette Restaurant at Rye – 24 High Street, Rye, East Sussex TN 31 7JF
01797 222 043
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