To further grow market share in the local restaurant industry, food company Mother’s Enterprise Limited (MEL) has expanded its portfolio with the roll-out of a new café.

Located at the University Hospital of the West Indies, the café, which carries products from all stores across the Mother’s line, represents a strategic investment for the company which seeks to grow in the local market as it further transition the brand outside of Jamaica. It also forms part of an aggressive multimillion-dollar expansion programme being charted by the local food company.

Speaking with the Jamaica Observer following an official launch event held on Monday, majority shareholder and director of MEL Kevin Donaldson said the location represents a $30-million investment which paves the way for others to come.

“Our goal is to become the largest restaurant group in the Caribbean. We have big plans to add more cafés, so before the end of the year our customers can begin to look out for other locations right across the island,” he told the Business Observer.

“We want to take this brand, which everybody sees as a patty company, to do other things as we take Jamaican food globally, growing into a massive company while doing so,” Donaldson said.

Donaldson, having purchased the over 40-year-old food company for an undisclosed amount in May 2023 through his Roots Financial Company, said he along with the other business partners remains focused on securing positive returns on their investment.

Surpassing $4 billion in sales last year, the company is now bullish on securing more revenues in 2024 as it continues to add new stores to bring more value for the businesses and more offerings for customers.

As the operator of Devon House Bakery, Pimentos Restaurant, Mother’s Bakery, Mother’s Catering and now Mother’s Café, the company now boasts a strong chain consisting of some 18 food stores also having concessions for about nine school canteens. Having operations in Canada and now exporting to the US, MEL is also steadily building out its presence in the retail space as it increases the supply of baked and other products in both local and overseas markets.

Powered by a growing staff complement of 900, Donaldson, in sharing a short-term outlook, said one of the company’s immediate plan is to up its investment around the training of team members as it also beefs up digital to leverage technology for additional growth.

“We will be coming out with a Mother’s app as we revamp the website and improve our technology processes,” he indicated.

Sheldon Seymour, managing director of MEL, in offering remarks during the official launch event, said he is excited and happy for this new journey on which the company as started, one in which it looks to take the brand to the world.

“We continue to grow and there is lots more left to come. The café brand allows us the flexibility of adding all our culinary templates offering a place for nourishment while waiting for our loved ones to receive medical care. With our excellent team, vision and brand our aim is to take the brand to the world,” he said.

For Chairman Clement “Jimmy” Lawrence, the journey of MEL to date should not be seen as merely a business endeavour, but also the embodiment of a dream.

“It is a testament to the resilience and tenacity that defines us. Our mission is bold taking the unmistakable flavours of Jamaica to the global stage starting with the US, Canada and the United Kingdom.

“The opening of this store marks a new chapter in our journey and through this café we’re fully committed to meeting and exceeding the hospital’s needs and service levels. Our team is dedicated in ensuring that this partnership not only satisfies the nutritional and dietary requirements of the hospital community but also contribute positively to the overall client experience,” he said.