Hotbreads to open outlets in China

From hot breads to cold meats'""" that will be the apt phrase to describe the diversification plans of M Mahadevan, who runs a chain of hotels in Chennai and abroad. The retail food business will add sausages, cold meats and beverages to its offerings.

"We are planning to open at least two restaurants in China headquartered at HongKong. The investment will be $0.5 million and we also plan to operate our outlets through franchisees," Mahadevan said.

Mahadevan disclosed that he was also planning to set up 18 delicatesan shops all over the country. "By July, we will open our first delicatesan outlet in Chennai," he said.

Apart from HotBreads outlets in Chennai, Pondicherry and Bangalore, there are 14 outlets in the US. Four more HotBreads in the US are to be opened in the coming three months. There are 41 HotBreads outlets in the Middle East and one in Paris.

Two months ago, HotBreads opened its outlet in Botswana with the help of Woolsworth, a leader in retail businesses. After a positive market response it received there, HotBreads is planning to open an outlet in Ghana and another in Swaziland, both of which will become fully operational within next two months.

HotBreads has also opened 'Winners', a community development bakery at Alwarpet with the support of Rotary Club of Madras (east) and the Corporation of Chennai. "At 'Winners', we give training to the downtrodden and underprivileged and help them become a good caterer and have a living of their own," he added.

The restaurant brands run by him include Hot Breads, Benjarong, Planet Yumm, China Town, Copper Chimney, Noodle House, Zara, Madeleine, Wang's Kitchen, Don Pepe and Oriental Inn. Besides, he has carried overseas many brands like Saravana Bhavan, Anjappar restaurant, Nandini's of Bangalore to name a few.