Loch Fyne Restaurants has tipped the scales with its highest ever net turnover in the full year ended 31 December.

The private equity backed company saw net turnover climb 17% year-on-year to £29m, while like-for-like sales increased for the seventh year in a row.

Loch Fyne ended the year with 29 restaurants and is targeting 39 sites by the end of 2007, 35 of which should be trading by June.

During the year the fish chain entered into a joint venture with contract caterer Sodexho to license its brand for use at cultural and sporting events.

Plans are also afoot to launch Loch Fyne in retail channels as well as overseas through a franchising deal.

Loch Fyne chief executive Mark Derry said: “With an increased demand in the premium casual dining market and a growing public focus on healthy eating, provenance and sustainability supply, Loch Fyne Restaurants is well positioned to meet these trends.”

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By Chris Druce

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