Mainland China Doha puts the company back on the global route, its going wherever Indians are in large numbers.
Speciality Restaurants is timing is global course on the back of a resurgent India. For the Middle East, it is opening a flagship location of its Mainland China fine-dining brand in Doha in September ’15, followed by a long-held desire to expand its footprint globally, with its full brand portfolio.
The company’s route map takes it to Asia-Pacific and if all goes well, then the UK and continental Europe. It already has restaurants abroad, in Bangalesh and Tanzania.
“My concept is to follow Indian footsteps. As much as 68% of the UAE comprises people of Indian and Asian origin and a significant number of people is a floating population there. So it is a logical extension that Mainland China is also opened here. I will open restaurants wherever there is a significantly large number of Indians. Doha is an ideal place for it,” said Anjan Chatterjee, managing director, Speciality Restaurants.
The group currently has 115 outlets, of which 97 are restaurants and 18 confectionary stores. It plans to set up around 16 new restaurants in FY ’15-’16.
Chatterjee believes that people living in foreign countries won’t visit his restaurant just to eat out but they would also be able to relate to a restaurant with Indian roots. The idea of setting up a new restaurant in Doha came well after the first two international restaurants (in Bangladesh and Tanzania) started generating good revenue and ran successfully. “I am confident that my restaurants will be on a par with the global standards and outmatch the global players.” he said.
Speciality Restaurants has had a track record of opening 10-12 outlets every year. Chatterjee believes that the group has derived enough benefit from the portfolio of its distinguished brands bolstered by a cost-effective operating support platform. “We believe that this multilayered, disciplined approach will enable us to sustain an industry leadership,” added Chatterjee.
