Carluccio's announces plans to challenge Costa including 500 new cafe sites

Boparan Restaurant Group has announced plans to open 500 locations under the company that will allow chains such as gourmet burger kitchen (GBK) new brand Caffè Carluccio in the next five years.

The first Caffè Carluccio's went on sale last night (June 2) at Sainsbury's St Albans and is the first cafè Carluccio's to open in a supermarket.

Satnam Leihal, Chief Executive Officer of the 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.

For breakfast and light snacks the menu also consists of freshly prepared ciabatta sandwiches, bread, croissants and pastries all day, and a range of Carluccio retail items including biscuits and cantucci biscuits, ground coffee, and Gianduiotti chocolates.

The Hub eatery is set to open in July at the Sainsbury's Selly Oak Superstore, and will feature a blend of Boparan restaurants like Caffè Carluccio's, GBK, Slim Chickens and Ed's Easy Diner.

Alongside its recently formed partnership with Sainsbury's, BRG will also be rolling out the Caffè Carluccius concept throughout the UK to travel centres, town centres and residential areas.