Italian restaurant chain San Carlo, which has an outlet in Birmingham’s Temple Street, has secured a multi-million-pound expansion programme to open a string of new restaurants throughout the Middle East and North Africa.

Directors of the family owned-business have signed contracts with Kuwait Food Company, part of the Americana Group, which was founded more than 40 years ago. Americana is currently the Middle East and North Africa’s most successful group of companies, operating international restaurant chains and manufacturing a wide range of consumer food products.

The partnership is set to open 22 restaurants under San Carlo’s London-based Signor Sassi brand and initial locations will include Kuwait, Dubai, Riyadh and Cairo with the first two expected to launch later this year.

Carlo Di Stefano, owner of the award-winning San Carlo Group which also has restaurants in Manchester, Bristol, Leicester and London following the acquisition of Signor Sassi in fashionable Knightsbridge Green - said: “This is a really exciting opportunity – particularly in the current economic climate. Our Signor Sassi brand is very well- known in the Middle East as many of our diners are visitors from that area.

“They enjoy the quality of our food, service and the buzzing atmosphere which is traditionally associated with an authentic Italian restaurant. We are totally confident of being able to recreate the Signor Sassi dining experience throughout the Middle East.”

The group also has its sights set on opening new San Carlo ventures in the United Kingdom including Liverpool and Leeds and is actively seeking other opportunities in London to expand its successful Signor Sassi concept.

Last year, the chain posted revenues of £16.7 million with profits of £1.2 million, while turnover at Signor Sassi was up 10 per cent on the previous year.

Marzouk El Kharafi Chairman of the Americana Group said: “We are proud to announce Signor Sassi as the latest addition to our portfolio of international brands.

“It complements our universal corporate strategy to diversify our product offerings and best serve the evolving needs of Arab consumers.”

San Carlo opened in Birmingham 15 years ago and, like all restaurants in the group, counts celebrities, sports personalities and politicians amongst its regular customers. It is renowned for its authentic Italian cuisine and speciality fresh fish.

Its’ accolades include the Les Routiers in Britain Hospitality and Service Award as well as listings in The Times newspaper’s ‘Top 10 Italian Restaurants’ and Harden’s Restaurant Guide.

The restaurant chain takes particular pride in its celebrity clientele, boasting on its website that names such as Russell Crowe, Jerry Springer and Tom Jones have eaten at San Carlo.

Last year, a competitor of San Carlo in Birmingham, Don Salvo, crashed out of business owing money on its lease and to suppliers after running up more than £23,000 in debt.

Eyebrows were raised when Don Salvo opened its doors directly opposite San Carlo in 2007.