MEXICAN restaurant chain Tortilla is set to open its first Nottingham restaurant.
The restaurant has signed up to a 15 year lease on the Clumber Street outlet, owned by Schroder Real Estate Investment Trust Limited (Schroder REIT), and is due to open later this year.
Commercial property agent Innes England, marketed the store jointly with agent JLL on behalf of client Schroder REIT following the departure of its previous tenant, mobile phone retailer Phones 4U, which had occupied the 2,357 sq ft unit.
Ben Taylor, head of retail agency at Innes England, who handled the deal, said: “We worked closely with our client to make the most of this prime opportunity. A number of retailers were interested but Tortilla proved to be the best fit.”
“Clumber Street remains a prime and popular choice for retailers in Nottingham, linking intu Victoria Centre to the north with Old Market Square and Bridlesmith Gate to the south. Tortilla will be a great addition”
Tortilla, founded by Californian restaurateur Brandon Stephens, opened its first restaurant in Islington in 2007 and is now the UK and Europe’s largest fast-casual Mexican restaurant group. In the Zagat survey, Tortilla was named Top Mexican Restaurant and a Best Buy and with a Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA) two star rating, Tortilla also focus on their sustainability and provenance.
Founder Brandon Stephens moved to London from California in 2003 to pursue his MBA at London Business School, where he wrote the business plan for Tortilla. “I grew up eating healthy, affordable burritos in California and I just couldn’t find anything like it over here. As the concept evolved, it increasingly became evident that there was a strong market for fresh, affordable burritos and tacos.”
Rob Lucy, head of property acquisitions at Tortilla, said: “We are really excited to be opening Tortilla Nottingham later this year. Nottingham is one of the top retail destinations in the UK and this location is a key part of our growth strategy.
“We have a strong real estate portfolio across the UK and this latest high quality site will further enhance our position as the stand-out offer in the UK’s fast-growing Mexican market.”
Tortilla has already committed to a second Nottingham outlet at intu Victoria Centre’s catering quarter, which is due to be open for trade later this year.
