Luigi Malones is seeking high net-worth investors and corporations with the financial and managerial capacity to open multiple units during an agreed brand development programme in a Member State, and is offering a franchise package that will provide completely fitted out and staffed restaurants following the company's proven profitable system.

"We are not seeking owner/operators," confirms Alan Benstead of Franchise Development Services, which has been appointed to find suitable franchisee candidates across the EU. "The Luigi Malones team is equipped to oversee the complete process of preparing the restaurant for launch, including installing a manager to run the business. The Luigi Malones franchisee's role is to identify and acquire the location, invest the funds to cover the launch of the business, and then visit the operating restaurant to check on their investment."

With reported net margins approaching 20 per cent earned by the current network of three restaurants in Ireland, the Luigi Malones restaurant concept makes for a viable business opportunity. "The two established restaurants in Cork (five years) and Dublin (three years) are turning over in excess of £2.5 million a year," Alan reveals. "The third in Limerick has been in operation for just over a year and is achieving ahead of projections. This is the pattern we are seeking a franchisee to follow: to build a network of four to five restaurants in a pre-determined territory, taking 18 months to two years to establish each. Suitable candidates will be individuals or organisations with at least £1 million to £5 million in capital, of which no more than 50 per cent is borrowed."

The menu is drawn from five continents. "The Luigi Malones management selects the top three to five recipes from each continent, and reviews its selections every quarter," says Alan. "It's an eclectic selection, but not too upmarket - the menu gives excellent value for money and makes the restaurants a suitable destination for families, couples and large groups.

"This adds to the ambience, which is as lively as you'd expect from a combined Italian/Irish concept, and amazingly over 60 per cent of customers in any one night are making return visits! This buzz gives Luigi Malones a phenomenal edge over other restaurants, and in Ireland they have never had to advertise. All business comes through word-of-mouth."

The success of the concept relies upon the selection of the location, and the head office team has developed an ability to spot an ideal location which will draw a huge client base. "The primary responsibility of the franchisee is to identify a prime spot in a city centre or high street in a strong suburban setting," says Benstead. "We are looking for a ground floor location with a minimum of 6,500sqft, adjacent to high footfall areas and near upmarket commercial or residential areas."