MEXICAN restaurant business Barburrito is planning to spend more than £2.5m on an expansion plan that will see it open seven new stores.

The company, which opened an outlet in Liverpool One last year, plans to open the new outlets within two years.

Barburrito was founded by former management consultants Morgan Davies and Paul Kilpatrick, who opened their first store in Manchester in 2005. They also have a store in the Trafford Centre.

The company hopes to double its turnover, which stood at £1.7m at the end of March.

Barburrito is backed by Haydock-based investment firm Cenkos, whose Rapid Realisations Fund bought a “significant stake” in the business a year ago.

Its chairman is Richard O’Sullivan, who also chairs Liverpool bars group Baa Bar.

Barburrito has also hired agency Beyond Communications to create a new brand mascot, Derek the Donkey.

Mr Davies said: “We’re equally excited about other locations right across the UK and we felt that we could drive home even more distinct and memorable brand values to our customers, in line with our new menus.

“I think parents and children alike will really take to Derek because, while he’s not the best-looking chap, he is very family-friendly – a key target market for us as a business.

“Customer demand is increasing year on year for food that is both prompt and healthy.”