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Camile Thai is a unique food experience that not only excites customers but also provides a great business opportunity. It is the result of years of business experience, a desire to create something new and different and a dedication to providing quality products and services. Created in 2010 by Brody Sweeney, founder of the award-winning O’Briens Sandwich Bar chain (350 outlets in 16 countries), Camile is poised for significant growth in the U.K. and overseas.
Thriving through the pandemic
Unlike most hospitality businesses, Camile has thrived through the pandemic, as its suburban-based home delivery model has proven resilient to the exceptionally difficult trading circumstances for the industry.
Its restaurants are geared towards a quick and efficient delivery process, facilitated by a brand-new app, offering a flawless ordering service for home delivery and collection. Roughly 70 per cent of orders will be home delivery, of which the brand aims to deliver 80 per cent within a 30-minute time frame.
The branches run their own driver fleet, while also maintaining mutually beneficial relationships with industry-leading aggregators. This two-tiered approach to delivery gives them a significant advantage over their competitors.
Perfect, from kitchen to doorstep
Camile has created an innovative food product that is perfectly tailored to hold its heat and quality during delivery, developed through over 10 years of research in the food delivery space. Each touchpoint of the customer’s journey is closely considered to create a world-class guest experience that leads the casual restaurant industry – including the award-winning app, which captures up to 50 per cent of a branch’s business.
The brand was the first home delivery chain in Europe to go 100 per cent compostable with its packaging. The first to print calories on menus, the first to deliver by drones, and to carry out free healthy cookery demonstrations for guests – and even the first to home deliver a doggy treat for the third of Camile customers who are dog lovers. And as well as meat lovers, the brand can also cater for gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian diets.
Sustainable growth
Since opening its first location in 2010, the business has expanded through a combination of company-owned and franchised restaurants. The ongoing expansion in London remains at the forefront of Camile’s strategy.
The Camile franchising model has been well developed in Ireland and is a winning business model. With single-unit and multi-unit franchisees growing businesses at a steady rate, it’s an amazing time to join Camile Thai.
Many of the franchisees have become multi-unit owners, with franchisee Pramod Thankappan currently on 10 sites, with two more under construction. With a variety of formats on offer from the core neighborhood home delivery restaurants, to cloud kitchens, Camile has an offer to suit every market.
Support and guidance
Camile franchise owner Rakesh Gopalakrishnan was working as a manager in the Camile Tooting Bec location when he saw first-hand the potential of running his own Camile Thai business.
“2021 has been an extremely busy year,” said Rakesh. “With the support and guidance of the Camile Thai team, I feel well-equipped to continue my journey as a business owner”. In late 2018, he took the keys to his first restaurant, then bought two more London branches in 2021.
He has since racked up high double-digit like-for-like sales, strong gross profits, and a dedicated restaurant team to deliver an amazing guest experience.
At a glance Camile Thai Kitchen
Year established: 2010
Number of franchised outlets: 46
Location of units: U.K., R.O.I., and U.S.
Investment range: £200,000 – £350,000
Minimum required capital: £100,000
Contact: shabu@camile.co.uk
