A RESTAURANT manager has cut himself a “slice” of the action surrounding the acquisition of a Bury Pizza Hut franchise.

The restaurant’s previous area manager, Zakir Hussein Niamut, has acquired the business through his newly established company Zarr Enterprise Ltd.

Now the Silver Street outlet is the organisation’s first franchise, although plans are already in place to expand and purchase two more restaurants before the end of the year.

The acquisition has been funded with the help of a commercial loan from The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS).

Zakir, managing director of Zarr Enterprise Ltd, said: “Becoming a franchise owner has been my objective for a long time and I couldn’t be happier to say that I have finally achieved my goal.

“I’ve worked in the industry for nearly 12 years. I started out doing pizza delivery and since then have worked my way up to an area manager before becoming a franchise owner.

“When the previous owner informed me that he was intending to sell the business, I knew it was an opportunity not to be missed.

"Having worked for Pizza Hut for almost 12 years in total, with two of those spent managing Silver Street, I know the brand, the restaurant and many of its customers extremely well.”

He continued: “The franchise is already very successful which is why it was such an attractive proposition for me but I plan to continue to push for expansion.

"The growth and sales figures since I took over the ownership have already been very encouraging. Taking over the business has been very exciting and it is great to be my own boss.

"I am hoping to acquire two more outlets this year and my plan is to eventually own a chain of Pizza Hut franchises.

“The support I have received from RBS has been excellent. Whilst I am very familiar with the restaurant and the industry itself I haven’t run my own business before, so the advice and support I have gained from the bank has been invaluable.

"Without their funding the acquisition wouldn’t have been possible and I am so pleased that they have been able to see the further potential of my business and myself.

Gavin Elmes, relationship manager at RBS, said: “We are so pleased that we have been able to help Zakir achieve his ambitions.

“One of our main objectives as a bank is to lend support to start-up companies such as Zarr Enterprise Ltd and we intend to work together with the business every step of the way.

“Zakir knows the franchise inside out and having worked his way up through the ranks is familiar with how every aspect of the business fits together.

“His knowledge and expertise is invaluable. We wish him every success with the restaurant.”