Harry Ramsden’s, the iconic British brand, world famous for its fish and chips, is to return to the roots of its founder with the opening of a brand new outlet this Spring.
In partnership with Vikesh and Dimple Patel of JVP Ventures who in late 2013 became the first franchisees signed by the company, post-acquisition, as part of an ambitious growth strategy, it is announced that three new outlets will be opening before the end of the year.
Return to Yorkshire
Harry Ramsden’s will return to Yorkshire next month (April 2015), when the first of these openings takes place in Shipley. Located in the town’s Wrose Road, the new outlet will take the form of a ‘traditional local’ and the purpose built unit, which extends to 1000 sq ft, will bring with it 10 full and part time jobs. Further openings are already being planned to take place in Huddersfield and Sheffield from April onwards.
Franchisee Vikesh Patel is aware that comparisons are likely to be made however, he notes: “First and foremost, to be able to bring Harry’s name back to his roots is really exciting for us. We have spent a great deal of time and effort in identifying and securing suitable sites however that process has been made slightly easier since both Dimple and myself were born and brought up in Yorkshire. Time and taste move on and whilst I think comparisons will be inevitable, our new Harry Ramsden’s outlets will reflect the brand’s evolution and we are looking to the future with great confidence.”
A Top 40 ‘Eating Out’ brand
As well as recently recording a 9.7% increase in annual like for like sales, Harry Ramsden’s is now one of the Top 40 ‘Eating Out’ brands in the UK, having recently debuted at No 15 in the CGA Peach BrandTrack report.
Since taking over at the helm in 2011, CEO Joe Teixeira has overseen major £multi-million investment in the brand, including the installation of state of the art digital technology across the Harry Ramsden’s estate. In addition, around £3m has been invested refurbishing seaside properties in Blackpool, Scarborough, Great Yarmouth, Eastbourne as well as the brand’s award winning property in Bournemouth, which is now recognised as the largest fish and chip restaurant in the world.
As well as a burgeoning partnership with Welcome Break which will deliver 14 new outlets before summer bringing the total to 18, franchise agreements are also in place for Scotland, South West Sussex and Qatar which will result in the opening of over 100 new outlets.
Yorkshire Franchise
Under the terms of the franchise agreement, 50 Harry Ramsden’s outlets will open all across the region, to include a mix of full service restaurants with takeaway facilities, as well as the new ‘traditional locals’, bringing Harry Ramsden’s back into the heart of towns, cities and suburbs across Yorkshire.