How to ensure a successful business expansion

A significant enlargement, whether at home or abroad, will rarely be straightforward, but there are several preparatory measures you can take to minimise the growing pains and reap the benefits
A woman giving a presentation on business expansion

The task of scaling up a business will always create headaches, not all of which are foreseeable. But the potential rewards awaiting a firm that can overcome the challenges that come with a planned growth spurt are significant.

For Shamil Thakrar, co-founder and CEO of restaurant chain Dishoom, a successful expansion depends on effective quality control. Ensuring a consistent brand identity is crucial, too.

“It’s important that we deepen what we do without diluting it,” says Thakrar, who oversaw the opening of Dishoom’s ninth UK venue last year. “It’s also important not to get so big that you aren’t interesting anyone anymore.”