London is to see the arrival of three overseas restaurant brands this year, as the capital continues to expand its presence as an international dining destination.
Egyptian coffee chain Cilantro, US restaurant group the Kati Roll Company, and Swiss vegetarian restaurant concept Tibits are all set enter the London market in the coming months.
Cilantro is to launch its first outlet in April, with the opening of a coffee shop on Piccadilly.
According to property agents Richard Susskind, which acted on behalf of Cilantro, it will be the first of up to 20 outlets the group hopes to roll out in the UK over the next year.
Kati Roll Company, which operates two outlets in New York City, is making the jump across the Atlantic with the opening of a restaurant in London’s Soho in July.
Kati, which means skewer, specialises in rolls comprising a mix between Lebanese-style shawarma and wrap sandwiches and the restaurant on Poland Street could be the first of several depending on its success.
Finally Swiss group Tibits is set to make its UK debut in August with the opening of a restaurant in Heddon Street.
The group will also open an outlet in the Westfield shopping centre in west London when it opens at the end of this year.
Josh Leon, agency negotiator at property agents Davis Coffer Lyons, told Caterersearch the companies’ UK market entry reflects the capital’s receptive attitude to international cuisines.
“Nowhere else do foreign food concepts enjoy such a welcoming trading environment as here in London and that is why it eclipses every other European capital. And this is a trend that looks to set to continue,” he said.
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By Kerstin Kühn
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