Restaurant entrepreneur Arfan Razak (aka Raz) of Curry Lounge Ltd is spicing up the industry with an inspiring franchise venture that reaches right across the globe.

22a Station Parade, Willesden Green, London, kicks off the roll-out before Christmas, with venues in Manchester, Glasgow and Birmingham being considered early next year.

An opening in the Ocean Point area of Los Angeles is also under way, with a view to launching in Autumn 2009, as well as an impressive hotel site in Dubai.

�There is a growing need for healthy, authentic Indian cuisine in the restaurant industry as people�s tastes have vastly evolved in recent times,� Raz comments.

�Public food knowledge is on the rise, leading customers to rightly expect fresh ingredients, locally sourced produce and quality meat, with exceptional restaurant service - diners will not accept the oily one-pot curries that seem to have been embedded in our nation for such a long period.�

Having opened the first Curry Lounge restaurant in Nottingham in 2007, the brand has gone from strength-to-strength since its appearance on Gordon Ramsay�s Kitchen Nightmares series late last year.

�Gordon�s advice was invaluable to turning the business around. Maybe, one day I will be able to return the favour,� Raz continues.

An increase in the number of franchise enquiries has occurred, with like-minded entrepreneurs approaching the company for franchise opportunities, due to the restaurant�s recognition in the television series and the committed training program in place.

Prior to trading, Curry Lounge provides owners with everything needed to set-up a restaurant, from site locations, building advice, supplier deals and menu selections, to HR, in-store operations and business management skills.

The same strategy will be catered to each location, with franchisees running their business to local needs to the Curry Lounge framework and advice.

Raz will be investing approximately �70K into the initial set-up and operation of the franchise business, and is currently in search of a franchise agent to locate possible venues that show a gap in the market for real Indian food. He concludes: �It is my ultimate goal to bring real home-cooked Indian food to the international table.�

Having been voted one of the top five Asian entrepreneurs in the East Midlands in 2008 by the Midlands Business Awards, this franchise venture is a recipe for great restaurant success.

For more information on The Curry Lounge franchise venture, including details on how to become a franchise partner, visit http://www.currylounge.co.uk/franchise.asp

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Notes to editors:

Promising traditional Indian and Punjabi cuisine freshly cooked to order, the Curry Lounge has been voted Best Indian Restaurant East Midlands 2008 by the Customer Excellence Awards in recognition for the quality of the food, service and authenticity.

Having opened the first Curry Lounge restaurant in Nottingham in 2007, the brand has gone from strength-to-strength since its appearance on Gordon Ramsay�s Kitchen Nightmares series.

Restaurant entrepreneur Arfan Razak (better known as Raz) is the brainchild behind Curry Lounge Ltd, and is venturing into a franchise business that reaches right across the globe, with future openings in London, Manchester, Glasgow, Birmingham, Los Angeles and Dubai under consultation.

Located in Nottingham�s city centre, the Curry Lounge caters for lunch, dinner, corporate events and special occasions. Visit www.currylounge.co.uk for more information.

Emma Finden-Crofts Tel: 0115 948 6901 Email: emmaf@bcspr.co.uk