Nationwide restaurant chain chooses Leicester for UK distribution site

A nationwide chain of Thai restaurants has chosen Leicester as the location for its main UK distribution facility.

Chokdee, a subsidiary of Giggling Restaurants, will move into a 45,000 sq ft warehouse unit at Elland Road Leicester for use as a menu development facility and new product development kitchen, as well as a training and national distribution centre.

Giggling Squid employs 1,500 staff at its 50 restaurants nationwide, although all but one are south of its West Bridgford site.

The supply chain includes sellers of direct ingredients and wholesalers from the UK and worldwide, as well as suppliers of business necessities, including office supplies and technical support.

Refurbishment of the new building is currently underway, with the completed hub set to be up and running by the end of March. The group also aims to create 20 jobs at the facility.

Vikas Agarwal, chief commercial officer, said: “The Elland Road unit is part of an exciting phase in the growth of our business. From menu development, to training our teams, as well as distributing our fantastic Thai ingredients to our restaurants, it is ideally located to become the hub for our operations.”

Commercial property agency Andrew + Ashwell (A+A) brokered the deal for the lease of the building.

Mike Allwood, A+A Partner, added: “Leicester is an ideal location for an expanding organisation, as it is strategically sited for easy nationwide distribution and conveniently located as a central link for the company’s restaurants across the UK. Giggling Squid has chosen well and we wish the group every success in this important venture that should boost their business even further.”