Ireland ‘a good location’ for UK Mexican fast-food chain expansion

One of the UK’s largest Mexican fast-food chains has said Ireland could be a “good location” for a potential European expansion.

ichard Morris, the chief executive of Tortilla Mexican Grill Plc, listed on London’s AIM stock exchange market, commented on a potential European expansion during a call with analysts.

Tortilla, headquartered in London, had 68 sites worldwide, predominantly in the UK but also in the Middle East. The company was founded in 2007 and employs nearly 1,000 people.

In response to a question about where Tortilla could look to enter the EU market, Morris said: “I don’t think we can probably say that yet, but we have looked at various ones.

“There are certain ones, I mean, Ireland is a good one. Holland is a good one. Spain is a good one. Germany is a good one.

“Those are the ones that probably jump out as the most potentially achievable ones.”

Further to the comments regarding a potential expansion into Ireland, the Sunday Independent understands Tortilla has also  been looking at possible opportunities in the city centre of Belfast, and a suitable property has become available.

The company is understood to be pursuing the premises, which requires the local authority to grant planning consent.

In a filing accompanying its results, Tortilla said the company was exploring the opportunity to expand into Europe in the mid-term.