By Iveren McCallion
American barbecue themed restaurant Bubbacue says it has its sights on the North Coast for its next new opening.
The popular eatery has recorded a 40% increase in turnover since launching its second restaurant in Belfast.
It secured a Growth Loan Fund of £400,000 to expand business creating 15 jobs.
With customers travelling from Ballymena and Coleraine to get a taste of their niche food, Managing Director John Blisard says it looks like a third restaurant on the North Coast could be their next strategic move.
"Our second restaurant has only been open since the end of June but it has traded extremely well," he said, "The student market is very lucrative and the last month in particular has been hugely successful.
"We’re going to be opening the first Bubbacue in Dublin within the next nine months and we have plans to open a third store in Northern Ireland. We have customers who travel from Coleraine and Ballymena so opening a third store around the north coast is the next logical move. It’ll be a new concept to the area and we’re excited about our future expansion plans."
Bubbacue first opened in November 2012 as a pop-up restaurant before becoming a permanent fixture in Callender Street.
Botanic Avenue was chosen as the location for the second outlet because of the owner’s knowledge of the local area and suitable premises coming to market.
13 year boy dies following quad bike crash near Newry
Man appears in court charged over head-on collision which killed father and son
Remains of 300-year-old building complex unearthed by chance on country estate
Fresh Met Office warning for icy conditions across Northern Ireland
Community still in shock over deaths of father and son, funeral told