Boparan plans to open 500 Caffè Carluccio's in next five years

Boparan Restaurant Group has announced plans to open 500 sites under its new Caffè Carluccio's brand over the next five years.

The company, which owns chains including Gourmet Burger Kitchen (GBK), said it wants to mount a challenge to some of the UK's biggest high street coffee brands by rolling out the concept to travel hubs, city centres and neighbourhoods across the UK.

Boparan bought the Carluccio's Italian restaurant chain out of administration for £3.4m last year and announced the launch of a spin-off brand last month.

The first Caffè Carluccio's site opens at Sainsbury's St Albans today (3 June) and serves coffees, fruit ices, all-day breakfast and ciabatta sandwiches, toasties, croissants and pastries alongside a range of retail products.

Satnam Leihal, managing director of Boparan Restaurant Group, said: "We acquired Carluccio's in May 2020 and are rebuilding the much-loved brand by evolving the concept whilst adhering to its authentic Italian routes.

"Our customers tell us they want Carluccio's to be part of their everyday and as such we are delivering a multi-channel and multi-format strategy for the brand. With Caffé Carluccio's offering two blends of the best quality Italian coffee, alongside an accessible all-day menu with sandwiches made fresh daily, we are elevating what a coffee shop in the UK can be."

Boparan's partnership with Sainsbury's includes the launch of two further in-store concepts including a hot and cold deli Carluccio's Counter, which will debut at Sainsbury's Leamington Spa this month.

The Restaurant Hub is due to open in Sainsbury's Selly Oak superstore in July featuring a mix of Boparan restaurant brands including Caffè Carluccio's, GBK, Slim Chickens and Ed's Easy Diner.

Sainsbury's and Boparan said they will listen to customer feedback on the brands before deciding on any next steps.