Orchid’s Pizza Kitchen & Bar concept could grow to 100 sites

28-Mar-2013 - Last updated on 12-Mar-2017 at 03:47 GMT

Orchid’s Pizza Kitchen & Bar (PKB) concept could “comfortably” grow to 100 sites across the country, commercial and HR director Simon Dodd has told M&C Report.

Orchid opened its 21st PKB on 14 March at the Links in Fleet, Hampshire, which was renamed the Station after a £220,000 conversion. Asked how many sites could eventually operate as a PKB, Dodd said: “Who knows? Is it scalable? Yes it is. I would say we could have 100 quite comfortably nationally. Everyone likes pizza.”

Some of the conversions, such as the Station, have come from Orchid’s Free Houses division, and others are from the Independent Locals. “It’s tending to work anywhere we put it.” Dodd said Orchid would like as many Independent Locals as possible to become PBKs.

Year-on-year trade at converted sites has grown 38% on average, with the highest increase at 77%. In its first full week of trading since the conversion, sales at the Station grew 75%. Food sales at the pub were previously around £700 to £800 per week and are now c£5,000.

“In the pipeline there are another 15-20 businesses earmarked for PKB which will be onsite before the end of 2013,” Dodd said.