IM Investments Community Talk

Hybrid Restaurant Innovation, Community Cricket & Financial Planning

January 29, 2026 20:00 GMT Community Members

Session Summary

Mohammad Shaikh and Richard Benton from Eatphoria detailed their hybrid restaurant model, which utilizes virtual brands to maximize kitchen efficiency, targets aggressive growth to 100+ locations, and involves strategic VC investment from Tan Holdings for business expertise. Majid Mohammed and Mohammed Riyaz introduced the Birmingham Mavericks cricket club, highlighting their community focus, achievements in their inaugural year, and seeking sponsorship to support their progression. Salman Mohaideen and Anandan Arnold BBK from BBK Partnerships presented their chartered accountancy services, emphasizing a blend of modern technology and personal relationships while providing financial advice, including a multi-generational approach to tax planning and considerations for property trust setup and Inheritance Tax planning.

Session Recording

Topics Presented

Food & Beverage / Franchise

Eatphoria - Hybrid Restaurant Model

Presented by Mohammad Shaikh (Co-founder) & Richard Benton (COO)

A pioneering hybrid restaurant model that combines traditional takeaway storefronts with virtual brands operating from the same kitchen. Founded as Wraps and Wings in 2014, the company has grown to 50+ locations with group turnover exceeding £20 million. The model maximizes kitchen efficiency by running 4-5 virtual brands alongside the main storefront, keeping kitchens busy from 8:00 AM to 12:00 AM.

Key Highlights

  • 50+ restaurant locations serving over 1 million customers annually
  • Virtual brands model - 4-5 delivery-only brands (Holy Bagel, Exquisite, etc.) operating from each kitchen
  • 25% ingredient overlap across all brands for operational efficiency
  • Strategic partnerships with Baskin-Robbins (exclusive 5-year rolling deal), Krispy Kreme, Millie's Cookies, Mars Confectionery
  • VC investment from Tan Holdings (Italian firm) - first UK investment outside Europe
  • Team expanded from 6 to 14 with senior hires (30+ years experience in acquisitions, 37 years in design/construction)
  • Fully Halal certified across all locations

Franchise Opportunity

Seeking franchise partners for aggressive expansion to 100+ restaurants over the next 3 years. Franchise structure: 5% royalty on sales + 2% marketing fund (matched by head office for 4% total marketing spend). Also pursuing enterprise licensing for universities, pubs, clubs, stadiums, and contract caterers.

Traction

50+ locations | £20M+ group turnover | 1M+ customers annually | Richard Benton: 31.5 years QSR experience (26 years McDonald's, KFC)

Sports / Community

Birmingham Mavericks Cricket Club

Presented by Majid Mohammed (President) & Mohammed Riyaz (Secretary)

A community-focused cricket club founded in 2024 and affiliated with the ECB through the Wag Chair cricket board. The club has built a 300+ strong community network focusing on fitness, discipline, and community engagement. Based in the West Midlands with tours to Scotland and London.

Key Highlights

  • 300+ community members in their network
  • Runner-up in both Sunday Borders league and knockout tournament in inaugural year
  • Completed 30 competitive fixtures in first season
  • Active in indoor action league during winter months
  • ECB affiliated through Wag Chair cricket board
  • Focus on fitness, discipline, and community engagement

Sponsorship Opportunity

Seeking sponsorship to progress to different community levels. Offers exposure through social media (23,000 Instagram views over 3 months, 3,000 views per sponsored post), public banners, and online live streaming.

Traction

300+ community network | 30 fixtures completed | League runner-up | 23K+ social media reach

Professional Services / Finance

BBK Partnerships - Chartered Accountants

Presented by Salman Mohaideen & Anandan Arnold BBK (Senior Partner)

An established firm of chartered accountants since 1987, specializing in auditing, taxation, tax planning, and cross-border finance advising. BBK combines AI and modern technology with "old-fashioned values" of personal relationships, serving clients across multiple generations.

Key Highlights

  • Established 1987 - nearly 40 years of experience
  • Global presence: UK, Dubai offices + associates in Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, India, US, Malta, Canada
  • Services: Audit, bookkeeping, payroll, financial investigation, business valuation, virtual CFO
  • Success story: Helped Sri Lankan clothing brand grow to £250M turnover through Oxford Street expansion
  • Hybrid approach: AI + modern technology combined with personal relationships
  • Unlimited access to meetings and emails with same-day response

Financial Advice Shared

Multi-generational tax planning: Involve children as shareholders by age 16-18. Property strategy: Flipping for quick gains better in private name; long-term portfolio building suits limited company structure. Trust warning: Moving property into trust incurs 20% immediate tax + 6% every 10 years on growth.

Credentials

Est. 1987 | Global offices in 9+ countries | Clients from small postmasters to listed PLCs | Multi-generational client relationships

Action Items & Next Steps

  • Richard Benton will share the Eatphoria prospectus separately via email if needed
  • Salman Mohaideen will share BBK business card on the groups for contact
  • AKM Ismail will dedicate another session to discussing property structures (joint tenants, Singapore companies for UK property)
  • Riyas Kt will ensure future sessions extract more substantial information beyond introductions
  • Future meetings to maintain structure: one big business + one smaller business/startup + one knowledge topic
  • Next meeting details to be shared on WhatsApp group (potential dates: Monday or Thursday)