Open Restaurant Group is set to reach ten restaurants by the end of 2026 as the independent hospitality business accelerates its expansion across the North West.
Led by chef Andrew Sheridan and operators Sam and Emma Morgan, the group currently operates eight restaurants, each developed as an individual concept.
Its recent opening of Arcadian in Didsbury, acquisition of Wreck Bistro in Liverpool and forthcoming launch of The Counter in Manchester city centre form the latest stage of its growth plans.
Arcadian opened earlier this month at the former Hispi site in Didsbury, marking Open Restaurant Group’s first restaurant in Greater Manchester.
The 74-cover restaurant has introduced an open-fire concept built around cooking with wood, charcoal and flame.
Open Restaurant Group retained the existing team from Hispi following its acquisition of the site, with the business seeking to provide continuity for employees as it introduced the new concept.
The group has also acquired Wreck Bistro in Liverpool, which will continue trading until its final service on Sunday 4 October before temporarily closing.
Open Restaurant Group will subsequently introduce a new concept and identity at the site, with Sheridan overseeing its culinary direction.
The existing Wreck Bistro team will also be retained following the acquisition.
The company said retaining teams at both Arcadian and Wreck reflects its wider approach to growth, with an emphasis on protecting jobs, developing existing employees and providing opportunities for career progression across the expanding portfolio.
The Counter will complete the group’s move to ten sites when it opens on John Dalton Street in Manchester city centre later this year.
The restaurant follows the launch of Noted in Chester and is intended to become the first of a wider rollout of The Counter concept across major UK cities.
Sam Morgan, Co-Founder and CEO of Open Restaurant Group, said: “We’ve always been focused on growing the group in a way that is sustainable and creates opportunities for our people. Reaching ten sites this year is an important milestone for the group, but the focus remains on finding the right sites, building strong teams and giving each restaurant its own identity.
“Arcadian has had a strong opening period and we’ve been really pleased with how the team and concept have been received. Wreck gives us another opportunity to invest in an established team and develop a new restaurant from the site.
“Retaining the people at both locations was hugely important to us, and we’re looking forward to giving them opportunities as the wider group continues to grow.”
The expansion is being accompanied by continued investment across Open Restaurant Group’s existing portfolio, with individual restaurants retaining their own concepts while drawing on the wider group’s operational infrastructure.
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