Chilango (restaurant chain)

Chilango is a restaurant chain in the United Kingdom specialising in Mexican cuisine.

History

Chilango was founded in 2007 by Eric Partaker and Dan Houghton, who met whilst working at Skype Technologies.[1]

In August 2014, Chilango raised £2 million through a mini bond issue on crowdfunding platform Crowdcube, styled by the company as 'Burrito bonds'.[2]

In April 2016, Chilango opened its 11th branch and first outside of London, in Manchester.[3] In October 2018, Chilango opened its 12th branch, in Birmingham.[4]

Chilango engaged RSM to "assist on working on long-term planning, options and strategy" in 2019.[5] Chilango entered administration in July 2020.[6] The chain was bought out of administration in August 2020 by the investment group, RD Capital Partners.[7]

In May 2022, it was announced that RD Capital Partners had sold Chilango to the London-based restaurant chain, Tortilla Mexican Grill PLC for £2.8 million.

References

  1. Alice Hancock. Chilango puts sale on the menu as it prepares administration Financial Times, 22 July 2020, retrieved 30 April 2021^
  2. Trevor Clawson. Will Chilango's £2m Success Herald An Affordable Mini Bond Revolution? Forbes, 28 August 2014, retrieved 30 April 2021^
  3. Emily Heward. Mexican chain Chilango celebrates Manchester opening with free burritos all day Manchester Evening News, 23 March 2016, retrieved 30 April 2021^
  4. Tamlyn Jones. Mexican chain Chilango to open inside former Birmingham bank Birmingham Mail, 18 October 2018, retrieved 30 April 2021^
  5. Rupert Jones. 'Burrito bond' Mexican restaurant chain in restructuring talks The Guardian, 14 November 2019, retrieved 20 July 2021^
  6. Ali Hussain. Burnt fingers on 'burrito bonds' as Chilango puts itself up for sale The Times, 25 July 2020, retrieved 30 April 2021^
  7. Patricia Nilsson. Mexican restaurant chain Chilango bought out of administration Financial Times, 27 August 2020, retrieved 30 April 2021^