Tiffinbites now Britain's largest Indian restaurant group
London, July 18, 2008 (IANS)

The Gourmet Restaurant Group, owners of the Tiffinbites fast food brand, has become the largest Indian restaurant group in Britain after acquiring two takeaway and eat-in chains, it announced Friday. The group said it had the restaurant and takeaway chain Bombay Bicycle Club and the food and restaurant group Vama, started by Arjun and Andy Varma. The group already owns the Tiffinbites chain, which, inspired by the dabbawalas of Mumbai, and caters to office-going clients.

Tiffinbites currently operates eight outlets in the greater London area, including sites in the upmarket shops Harrods and Selfridges, with planned franchised branches in Oxford, Leeds and Birmingham. An international expansion plan will see the opening of two sites in Dubai in October. The acquisition of the Bombay Bicycle Club adds three restaurants and 15 delivery kitchen outlets to the Group's portfolio. The Vama Group consists of a fine dining restaurant and a catering service for airlines, corporate events and weddings.

"Our company mission is to give diners the opportunity to experience authentic Indian food of the best quality at whatever their price point, and the acquisition today completes the Group's offering and ensures our presence in all areas of the Indian dining market," said CEO and founder Jamal Hirani. The Gourmet Restaurant Group also operates a large wholesale catering business to bluechip companies across Britain.

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