The celebrity chef behind one of the UK's most exciting new restaurant chains is on the lookout for new locations following an major investment deal.
Curry evangelist Nisha Katona MBE has become a street food phenomenon since quitting her job as a barrister to launch Mowgli.
The group has confirmed plans to open in Brighton, Bristol and Edinburgh this year and is “reviewing other expansion opportunities” following a major private equity investment.
Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce has today made an initial approach to Ms Katona, urging her to give consideration to Union Street.
Private equity deal
Katona, 51, founder and chief executive of Mowgli, is selling a significant stake to TriSpan with debt finance from OakNorth Bank in a deal believed to value the firm at £25million to £30million.
She opened her first Mowgli in Liverpool in 2014 and has since expanded to 15 sites in cities including London, Birmingham, Glasgow and Manchester.
She realised while she was running cookery classes that there would be strong demand for authentic Indian cooking.
She also pioneered the use of social media to build interest among potential customers and extended the chain’s exposure as a celebrity chef, appearing on MasterChef, Cooking with the Stars and The Great British Menu.
TriSpan’s other restaurant investments include the Rosa’s Thai group, Pho and Thunderbird Fried Chicken. Its operating partners include Robin Rowland, former chief of Yo! Sushi, who will become chairman of Mowgli.
'Be part of Union Street renaissance'
Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce Policy Director Ryan Crighton has invited Ms Katona to the North-east as efforts to repopulate Union Street get underway.
Following a joint summit held by the Chamber and Aberdeen Inspired last November, a new organisation is being set-up to lead a city centre renaissance.
Mr Crighton has urged Mowgli to follow the lead of Six by Nico and "be part of an exciting new chapter" in one of the more prosperous regions in the UK.