Indian takeaway boss tells of franchise hope

Abdul Ghafoor already has sites in Wakefield and Pontefract, but has just signed a 15-year lease for premises in Sheffield, with plans for branches in Leeds and Huddersfield too.

Abdul’s, which has an annual turnover of more than £500,000 and about 25 staff, is set to open the doors to the new Sheffield establishment, on Ecclesall Road, within the next few months creating 10-15 new jobs for people in the area.

Mr Ghafoor said: “I have always intended to grow my business and am passionate about changing attitudes towards good, quality takeaways.

“We are not your traditional late night establishment and it is this model which has allowed us to build a loyal customer base and in turn develop as we had planned.”

Abdul’s was established 15 years ago after Mr Ghafoor said that he spotted a gap in the market in Wakefield for a cross between an Indian restaurant and takeaway. So he opened a “sit in diner”, allowing customers to eat in or takeaway. A second site was later opened in Pontefract.

The site in Sheffield is around 1,400 sq ft and has been used as a fish and chip shop in the past.

The outlet will ultimately be run as a franchise, says Mr Ghafoor, who runs the Wakefield and Pontefract sites himself. He said he is keen to expand further and eventually have a diner in every major location throughout Yorkshire.

Mr Ghafoor said: “We are looking to franchise the operation.

“We are looking for stores now. We have got manufacturing set up in Dewsbury where we make all the bases, sauces, the marinades, and we are ready to roll it out.

“We’ve just been careful with the recession for the last few years but we feel it’s a good time for us. We are between a fine dining restaurant and a backstreet takeaway, we are in the middle somewhere, so you get restaurant food at takeaway prices.”