IndiaRetailBiz

“We are planning to open more than 1,000 outlets across the country in the next three years and to open these outlets, the company is going to invest more than Rs 500 crore.” — Akbar Khwaja, Managing Director, US Pizza Restaurants.

”Our endeavour is to build reputation as a healthy and tasty fast food brand, while through constant innovation Royal Eateries are able to offer the best value for money.” — Inam Abul, National Sales and Franchising Manager, US Pizza Restaurants.

U.S. Pizza, the Bangalore-based fast food retail chain, , which opened its first outlet in India in 1994, has decided to expand its retail network with break-neck speed. Plans include opening of over 1,000 restaurants, across the country, say Agency reports. While, 99 of the new outlets will be opened before the end of this year (2008), the balance will rolled out over a period of three years (2011). Currently, the company is operating 59 restaurants across the country.

The company envisages to enter a new city every month.

Almost 17-fold expansion, which will focus on tier II and tier III cities will entail an investment of over Rs. 500 crore. The

While, the company will own and manage around 25 flagship restaurants, it will appoint statewide master franchisees to operate balance of restaurants in the network. The company is also looking at innovating by adding entertainment options at its flagship restaurants as well as rolling out services like chocolate delivery to customers and their friends at homes.

The company is also planning to set up around fifty restaurants in Europe. Its European plans could take it to the developed markets like Norway, Sweden, Germany and France.

Having already sold 49 per cent of its equity stake to Kotecha Capitals in February, 2008, the company is looking at raising further capital through debt to finance its ambitious expansion.

US Pizza, which earned revenues of Rs 35 crore in 2006-07, is expecting a turnover of Rs 50-55 crore for the fiscal year ended 31st March, 2008. By 2011, it hopes to grow multi-fold with turnover reaching around Rs. 500 crore.