A restaurant entrepreneur has continued his ambitious expansion plans for the city’s hospitality sector by securing two new outlets at The Cube in Birmingham following the success of his first venture in the area.
Mike Nayla, owner of Brazilian churrascaria restaurant, Rodizio Rico, has signed leases on an additional two food units located on the ground floor of The Cube totalling 3,500 sq ft to continue his expansion plans.
His latest £800,000 investment follows a £1.6 million outlay on Rodizio Rico, which has created 45 new jobs.
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His new ventures will be a French-themed coffee shop called Madeleine, with an on-site bakery and freshly roasted coffee, and a new burger and shrimp restaurant called Bun&Bowl, the first of its kind in Birmingham.
Neil Edginton, director of The Cube developer EDG Property, said: “The opening of Madeleine and Bun & Bowl are welcome additions to The Cube meaning that the restaurant units are almost fully let. With thousands of people in the building very day, both working and enjoying the amazing facilities, we’re delighted to be able to expand our offering.”
Mr Nayla added: “Since opening Rodizio Rico 12 months ago, it has quickly gone from strength to strength and now sits comfortably on par with our London branches. Birmingham is home to some of the most celebrated restaurants in the country and it is really exciting to be a part of its culinary diversity. I am thrilled to have been given this opportunity and am looking forwards to the challenge of operating three city centre establishments.”
Iraq-born Mr Nayla will continue to be based in the capital while his new restaurants take shape. He expects them to open later this year with more than 20 new jobs being created.
He explained: “The new ventures are a continuation of my investment in Birmingham. I think it is a very neglected city and suffers from the fact that it is often ignored in favour of other destinations. I almost got involved with the Mailbox when that opened but my restaurant plans were not quite ready. So when the opportunity came to establish the outlets in The Cube I took it.
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“There’s such a lot happening in Birmingham and that has given me confidence. Developments like the new-look New Street station and the library prove that the city is going places,” he added.
Mr Nayla is married to Brazilian wife Silvia and that is where the influence for his initial Rodizio Rico concept originates from. He first visited Birmingham in 1975 when he called on a nephew who was studying in the city. It was 1999 before he came to the city next and it has been hard to keep him away since then.
He has not been afraid to put his money where his mouth is and underline his confidence in the city with a sizeable cash investment.
“We are looking forward to opening the new venture,” said Mr Nayla.
The Cube, which opened its doors to the public in 2011, has brought a total investment of £150 million to Birmingham. It provides work and living space to more than 3,000 people.