The ambitious expansion is part of an overall strategy to give greater focus to its retail and foodservice channels, the pie-maker claimed.
Last year, it unveiled a franchise model for pubs to sell its pies under license. By November, the ‘open kitchen’ Pie Pub concept had been installed in four pubs.
The company said a deal was in place with Enterprise Inns for the concept to be installed in 30 of its wet-led sites.
It added that after a turbulent 2013, the restaurant side of the business had grown by 47% in the past 12 months, with like-for-like sales up 10%. Sites include London, Bristol, Cardiff, Oxford and Manchester.
Menu development
Pieminister’s pie and mash menu has been further developed for 2015. The extended menu includes selection of sides and seasonal salads as well as topless pies and pot pies alongside the classic pie range. A range of British craft beers and ciders are also available.
Further new products are planned, including two new Pie Pots and a completely new range of pie-based products to sell across all channels.
Pieminister founder and managing director Jon Simon said: “We have gone through a period of consolidation and investment, which has laid solid foundations for us to grow, especially through the planned roll-out of our restaurants.
“Following on from the success of our nine existing stores and with our most ambitious restaurants still to come, 2015 marks the start of an exciting new era.”
BrewDog tie-up
Last July, Pieminister collaborated with BrewDog to launch two special pies for its Pie Pubs and restaurants and BrewDog’s own bars.
Founded in 2003, Pieminister claimed to be the only national pie company to use 100% free range British meat.