Business booming for Nottingham franchisee

A Nottingham McDonald’s franchisee is celebrating after growing his company by 40% since 2015.

The growth has been driven by the acquisition of two new outlets and a refurbishment of five existing restaurants, after landing a funding deal with Royal Bank of Scotland.

In 2014 the company owned a total of five McDonald’s restaurants and had an annual turnover of £12m but following the opening of its Clifton Lane restaurant in 2015, and the opening of another outlet on Nuthall Road in Basford in 2016, turnover has increased to £17m. This increase has also been influenced by the refurbishment works that have taken place at the firm’s Nottingham city centre and centrally based restaurants on Angel Row, Exchange Walk, Clumber Street, Victoria Retail Park and Trent Bridge.

Turnover has also increased further this financial year with expected year end outturn up by £1m to 18m. There has also been a 20% increase in sales during this time in the city centre outlets alone.

Established in 2001 by owner Jerry Nicholls, Blades Restaurants employs over 750 people in the Nottinghamshire area, around 35% of which are full time members of staff. The company is supported by Royal Bank of Scotland who has provided funding deals to facilitate all of its acquisitions and refurbishments during the last four years.

Nicholl said: “I am very pleased with the performance of the company during the last few years. Growth, in terms of both revenue and the number of outlets we run, has, and continues to be a key objective and it is great that our hard work has paid off.

“I have undertaken a number of considerable investments to not only acquire and create new outlets but also to update our existing stores to meet the modern image and standards set by McDonald’s. The new image is proving to be very popular and I am pleased to be able to continue my investment in the city and to be able to create jobs for the local community.

“I have worked with Royal Bank of Scotland for the last 16 years and they have been incredibly supportive of our plans for growth and development during this time. Whenever we have looked to undertake a new project I have found them to be keen to assist which has enabled me to develop a strong, successful company.”

Anna Ellison, senior relationship manager at Royal Bank of Scotland, said: “Blades Restaurants is a thriving business and we have developed an excellent relationship with Jerry during the last 16 years. It is great that we have been able to support his plans for growth and we look forward to continuing to assist in the future.”