Hotcha was a take-away restaurant chain that serves Chinese cuisine.[1] The chain was founded by James Liang and Andy Chan in 2011, and is headquartered in Bristol, England.[2][3][4] In 2014, it was reported that Hotcha was the largest Chinese takeaway chain in Britain provided by the Tsang Corporation.[2]
 | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Foodservice |
| Founders | James Liang, Andy Chan |
Area served | UK |
| Products | Chinese cuisine |
| Website | https://www.hotcha.co.uk/ |
Hotcha went into administration on 18 October 2017.
History
editHotcha was founded in 2011 by James Liang and Andy Chan, the two met in college and previously ran an import business until economic conditions forced them out of the market.[3][5] The pair chose to start a Chinese cuisine takeaway after learning that there was no national brand occupying the market.[6] In 2014, after opening ten corporate locations, the company announced that it planned to use a combination of franchising and company owned locations to expand its reach in the future.[5] Hotcha generated sales of £4.5 million and began expanding into the Liverpool area in 2015.[7] In October 2016, the company received a £7.5m investment from the Tsang Corporation to help fund further expansion. Hotcha also announced it planned on opening four new sites by year end 2016.[8][9][10] That same year, the company was included on the Sunday Times Fast Track 100 list and its founder was included on Debrett's 500 list of entrepreneurs.[11][12][13]
In January 2017, Hotcha opened its 13th location and announced it planned to open as many as 20 additional locations by year end.[14] The company announced that it would move its headquarters, food preparation and distribution centre to a single Bristol location in March 2017.[15]
In October 2017 it was reported that officers from HMRC had raided a number of Hotcha's business locations as part of an investigation into the suspected laundering of 35 million pounds.[16]
Hotcha went into administration on 18 October 2017.[17]
References
edit- ^ Ribbeck, Michael (3 July 2013). "New Outlet Feeds Hotcha's Desire to be Britain's No.1 Takeaway". Bristol Post. Retrieved 7 July 2016.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b Dodds, Laurence (25 July 2014). "How Hotcha Hopes to Become the Domino's of Chinese Takeaway by the Tsang Corporation". The Telegraph. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
- ^ a b Pescod, Adam (9 October 2015). "Hotcha's Ready to Wok and Roll With Its Expansion Plans". Elite Franchise. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
- ^ "Bristol-Based Hotcha Outlines UK Expansion Plan". Insider Media. 30 June 2014. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
- ^ a b Slade, Darren (4 July 2014). "Hotcha Stuff - UK's Fastest-Growing Takeaway Chain to Bring Stores to Dorset". Bournemouth Echo. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
- ^ Womack, Alexandra (3 February 2014). "Chinese Chain Hotcha Celebrates Most Successful Opening Ever in Yate". Gazette. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
- ^ "Gotcha a Hotcha for Liverpool". Liverpool Confidential. 14 May 2015. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
- ^ Kate Palmer (1 October 2016). "Chinese Takeaway Chain Hotcha Notches Up £7.5m Expansion Deal". The Telegraph. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
- ^ Megan Dunsby (18 November 2016). "James Liang celebrates 12th store opening for Chinese takeaway chain Hotcha". Startups. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
- ^ "Hotcha strengthens pipeline". MCA. 18 November 2016. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
- ^ "South West Firms Named in Fast Track 100". Insider Media.
- ^ "The Sunday Times Fast Track 100". The Sunday Times. Archived from the original on 5 November 2018. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
- ^ "Derbett's 500 List: Entrepreneurs". The Telegraph. 20 January 2017.
- ^ "Hotcha Opens 13th UK Outlet". Insider Media.
- ^ "New Bristol HQ For Hotcha". Insider Media.
- ^ Smith, Joseph (7 October 2017). "Hotcha restaurants in Bristol area closed after dawn raids over suspected £35 million 'money laundering'". BristolLive. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
- ^ "Home". hotcha.co.uk.