Tattu co-founder – 15% like-for-like sales growth giving confidence to forge ahead with expansion

Tattu co-founder – 15% like-for-like sales growth giving confidence to forge ahead with expansion

Tattu, which has venues in Manchester and Leeds, is to double its portfolio after acquiring sites in Birmingham and Edinburgh. Jones, who founded the company with brother Drew in 2015, said the company’s immediate focus had been to offer a quality product and dining experience rather than growth.

However, he admitted demand and support from customers was now driving a period of growth for the company.

He said: “We had 23% sales growth in 2017 and Leeds, which opened in June last year, has traded 30% above budget in the first 12 months.

We’re currently operating at an increase of 15% on a like-for-like basis in 2018 and we’re still attracting new customers, which is great.

Between 87% and 91% are first-time diners.”

Jones said the company had been actively looking for a third site “after the fantastic reception in Leeds”, with Birmingham the “logical next step”.

The restaurant will open in the Colmore Row district towards the end of the year.

Jones added: “Birmingham has really diversified its offer and is attracting incredible operators. It’s a brilliant opportunity for us to be part of.

As for Edinburgh, the tourism sector is what really attracted us to the city alongside a strong corporate element.

The St Andrew Square development is the perfect location.”

The Edinburgh venue is expected to open next summer.

Having developed its offer, Tattu is in the process of doing the same with its team.

It moves into a dedicated head office in Manchester this week and has just taken on a finance manager.

Jones said the company wasn’t looking beyond its next two venues but admitted he would like to eventually open a site in London.

He added: “Every restaurant we open is unique and at this stage we are keeping growth in-house – we’re not going to develop into a chain.

Obviously the next step for us is to head south and we would love to open in London if we can find the right opportunity as there is a market for our style of food.

After Manchester, most of our bookings – about 25% – come from London, most likely from people coming to Manchester or Leeds for business.

We have nothing else in the pipeline at the moment – Birmingham and Edinburgh are going to keep us busy for the time being.

We are open to further opportunities – but only when the time is right.”

 

Article credit: Propel info