Indian restaurant franchise Tiffinbites has experienced an injection of new capital as part of a £6 million investment in its parent company V8 Gourmet Group by actress and Celebrity Big Brother star Shilpa Shetty and her fiancé Raj Kundra (pictured). The couple have taken a 33 per cent stake in the group, which also encompasses the Bombay Bicycle Club Kitchens, Vama and Gourmet Creations brands.

The purchase took place in August and the group intends to plough the proceeds into expanding its Bombay Bicycle Club Kitchens delivery service, adding a second Vama Restaurant in London and growing its network of Tiffinbites restaurants, concessions and franchises in London and abroad, including opening two casual dining and shopping mall dining formats in Dubai in October and Jordan in March next year.

"In January 2009, we acquired the business of Gourmet Restaurant Group which comprises of Tiffinbites, The Bombay Bicycle Club Kitchens and Vama," said V8 Gourmet Group Managing Director Arjun Varma. "This provides the group with an excellent platform towards its growth aspirations and gives V8 a clear lead in the Indian Food sector.

"Shilpa shares a genuine passion for fine Indian cuisine and is a perfect ambassador for V8 while Raj brings a wealth of international business expertise which will help us to achieve our ambitious growth plans in the UK and overseas."

Shilpa added: "I feel proud to be associated with the V8 Group. They have carved a niche for themselves in the Indian food industry in the last 13 years and spell consistency, quality and authentic Indian food. I know that our partnership will grow and envisage a great future with a whole new line of products and restaurants all over Europe, Dubai and Jordan."

Published: 29 September 2009

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