Bob Bob Ricard, the luxury London restaurant brand, plans for strong expansion and development following support from leading alternative provider to mid-sized SMEs, ThinCats, with additional growth capital funding.

Opened in 2008 by CEO Leonid Shutov, the Soho branch of Bob Bob Ricard quickly became known for its fine food, impressive Champagne, vodka and wine lists, and it luxurious interior design. The restaurant now serves a classic British and French menu to diners in its glamorous all-booth dining room. A second site – Bob Bob Ricard City – opened in 2019. Each table in both restaurants is equipped with a ‘Press for Champagne’ button, which has now become an Instagram sensation, and the company is famous for pouring more Champagne than any other restaurant in Britain.

Having successfully navigated a challenging period for the hospitality industry over the last two and a half years, the restaurants are seeing a huge resurgence in bookings, and the company is returning to pre-Covid levels of business.  The new funding will provide the group with resources to further develop the business as it aims to grow the portfolio with future sites in the UK, as well as exploring potential markets in Japan. 

At a time when businesses across the industry are facing more challenges than ever, we are focusing on what we do best – delighting our customers with great food and Champagne in incredible venues. We see a lot of opportunity to expand our presence and deliver our unique experience to even more people. The relationship with have with Dave and the team at ThinCats is excellent, and we are pleased to have a funding partner who is backing our vision for the future.

Leonid Shutov, CEO, Bob Bob Ricard

Dave Sherrington, Regional Head of Sales, London, ThinCats: “I’ve known Leonid for many years and have always been an admirer of what he and his team have consistently achieved. Their passion and commitment, and their knowledge of the industry, are second to none. The restaurants are iconic institutions, well-loved by their clientele, and I am delighted that we are able to continue our support for this fantastic business.”