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Harlequin
Leisure Group, Europe's largest chain of Indian restaurants run by
renowned curry entrepreneur Sanjay Majhu, has announced its first
foray into the fast food market with the launch of two new food
concepts - Ashoka Express and Italy Express - at the Wellgate Centre
in Dundee.
Comprising 16
restaurants employing 350 staff and generating an annual turnover of
£12 million, recent years have seen Harlequin's turnover grow
considerably through the development of the Ashoka Shak brand
together with a strong rental income stream from its franchise
partners. The launch of its first fast food venture marks the start
of an anticipated period of rapid expansion for the group as the
Ashoka Express and Italy Express concepts are rolled out throughout
the UK. |
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Already,
potential high footfall shopping centre environments have been
earmarked for future Express sites in Aberdeen, Belfast, Birmingham,
Manchester and London.
Sanjay Majhu
said, "With all our existing brands - Ashoka, Ashoka Shak, Kama
Sutra and Spice of Life - now well established and proving more
popular than ever, I felt that the time was right to introduce a new
type of food offering - something completely different - and our
first foray into fast food takeaways, rather than restaurants,
represents an exciting new venture for Harlequin."
Dundee's
Wellgate Centre was chosen for the launch of the new concept after
detailed research revealed it to have all the ingredients necessary
for success.
Said Mr Majhu,
"The Wellgate Centre is home to an impressive range of retailers
and its food court, which already comprises a number of
well-established food operators, has proven itself to be very popular
with Dundonians.
"And the
dual entrance into the food court - from both the rear and the front
of the Wellgate - means that it is always very busy. I'm confident
that our Ashoka Express and Italy Express brands will add a fresh
ingredient into the mix at Wellgate which will appeal to locals.'
Whilst Italy
Express will offer a range of pizza and pasta dishes, as well as
special cut-price 'meal deals' offering a two course meal with a
drink, Ashoka Express will offer a range of curries and 'meal deals'
to help spice things up a little at the Wellgate.
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