Harry Ramsden’s is embarking on a heavy expansion drive in Scotland which it claims will create 500 new jobs over the next five years.
The fish and chip shop brand – which has been owned by Ranjit Singh Boparan’s 2 Sisters Food Group since 2010 – plans to open 50 new outlets in Scotland by 2019. It currently has just three in Scotland and a total of 24 nationwide.
The new outlets will be opened by Sevenseas Ventures, to which Harry Ramsden’s has granted its franchise licence for Scotland.
Harry Ramsden’s CEO Joe Teixeira said the deal would help the brand satisfy growing consumer demand for fish and chips in Scotland. “The signing of this franchise agreement also effectively represents further and deserved financial investment in Harry Ramsden’s,” he added.
Sevenseas said in a statement: “There is untapped potential to establish Harry Ramsden’s in Scotland as there is no recognised brand leader currently operating in the Scottish fish and chips marketplace.
“Currently, our main priority is finding suitable locations in major cities including Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Glasgow and Dunduee for 100+ seater restaurants, although we are keeping a close eye out for possible sites for the smaller, ‘traditional’ locals.”
The franchise agreement with Sevenseas Ventures follows the signing of a similar agreement with JVP Ventures in October 2013, which will create 50 new Harry Ramsden’s outlets in Yorkshire by 2018. The company has also recently struck a deal with motorway services operator Welcome Break and opened a Harry Ramsden’s outlet at Welcome Break services in Woodall and Oxford.
Texiera said he hoped there would be further Harry Ramsden’s franchise announcements in the coming months “and as such anticipate up to 250 new outlets opening within the next five years”.
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