The owners of an O'Briens Manchester outlet have expanded their franchise with the opening of their second store. Business partners David Howarth and Andrew Walker have opened their second shop at Manchester Fort Shopping Park, Cheetham Hill.

The business partners, who continue to operate other successful businesses independent of the franchise, recently took over and completely refurbished the city centre O'Briens in Manchester's York Street. This provides catering for businesses in the area, as well as a sit in and takeaway food and drink service.

At Manchester Fort Shopping Park, David and Andrew have opted for an O'Briens Café Express, which is geared more towards catering for the large number of customers attracted to the busy retail location.

David Howarth says: 'Our original objective was to open around five O'Briens' franchises in five years. Yet with the support of O'Briens in helping us secure the best locations, we firmly believe that we can exceed this by the end of 2009. Our third Greater Manchester outlet is scheduled to open this spring at Oldham and we project our turnover from all three stores to exceed £1 million in the first 12 months.

'Our ambition is to open 12 stores within Greater Manchester and get the O'Briens name known as a great place to eat or cater for you business. As it attracts millions of customers each year from an extensive catchment area, Manchester Fort obviously offers us a superb location that will help bring the brand and the quality of our food and drink to a far wider audience.'

Phil Byrne, Manchester Fort Shopping Park Centre Manager, comments: 'We are very excited about the opening of this new catering outlet at Manchester Fort. O'Briens is a new brand to the Greater Manchester area that felt so confident in the scheme that they chose to launch their second store here. The opening of O'Briens now adds another reason to visit Manchester Fort Shopping Park.'

O'Briens, which also has a franchise in the area at Salford Quays, now has more than 120 cafes in the UK and more than 300 worldwide. The franchise, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, focuses on offering healthier, seasonal choices, with signature hot and cold sandwiches at the heart of the menu. There are also Tossed Salads, organic snacks, juices, smoothies, soups, a variety of baked products, and Fairtrade teas and coffee with beans sourced direct from the grower.

Published: 20 February 2009

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