Bill’s plans ‘multiple new locations’ as it returns to expansion trail

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The Richard Caring-owned group will open new outposts in Milton Keynes and Street, Somerset, before Christmas, and is in the process of securing a pipeline of properties for 2025 and beyond.

Savills has been appointed by Bill’s Restaurants to advise on its expansion plans.

It comes as Bill’s reports a ‘strong trading performance’ in the first half of 2024 with like-for-like sales up 3.4%.

This follows ‘record sales’ in 2023 where EBTDA rose 45% on the year before.

“We are now seeing a continued trend of positive results and feel the time is right to grow,” says Tom James, managing director at Bill’s.

“Our relentless focus on the guest experience has driven the charge forwards and we are collectively very excited about the future of the business.”

Earlier this year, Bill’s announced the trial of a new bar-orientated sub brand in Newbury and St Albans called Bill’s Café Bar, which offered a wider variety of sharing dishes alongside draft beers and more hot drinks options.

Speaking to the FT, James said the new sites in Milton Keynes and Somerset would be ‘hybrid’ versions of its conventional restaurants and new Café Bar brand.

Prior to the pandemic Bill’s operated an estate of c.80 sites, but the impact of Covid saw its trading portfolio reduce by nearly half.