A BLACKBURN takeaway entrepreneur has revealed his ambitious plans to run 20 restaurants by the end of next year.

Assad Khalil has just opened ninth outlet – a Pepe's in Burnley – and now has plans to open more franchises in 2019.

The businessman plans to launch more Pepe's branches, as well as a number of Treatz Desserts Parlours and German Doner Kebab (GDK) restaurants.

He says his company is hoping to manage 20 branches of the various franchises across the country in the next 12 months.

Assad opened his first Pepe’s on Whalley Range four years ago.

He said: "I think that was a game-changer not just for Blackburn but for the region.

"We opened the first Pepe’s in 2014 and in a short period of time we have seen other major franchises come to the town.

“It is down to being motivated and having belief in yourself to succeed. It is advice I give everyone.

“I always believed in myself and I had the intention to go flat out on this."

Assad, who is in his early thirties, added: “Since 2014 we have opened Pepe’s in Slough and Wembley.

“The Burnley Pepe’s will be the third one in the area after Preston and Blackburn.

“A sixth and seventh will be in the Yorkshire area soon and we have plans to open inside the food court at Trafford Centre next year.”

The Burnley Pepe’s will be the 84th branch to open in the UK.

Assad added: “Burnley deserved something like this. We had a lot of custom coming from Pendle and Burnley.

“There was an opportunity for us and for the community to eat healthy food. We only do steamed and grilled chicken.

“It was also a welcome regeneration for the area in general which we are keen to support wherever we go.”

Assad also manages number Treatz Dessert Parlour and revealed plans for a new branch in Blackburn.

He said: “We already run a Treatz in Sheffield, Birmingham, Slough and London and are bringing one to Blackburn on Whalley Range next to Pepe’s in the new year.”

The company has also won the race to open four GDK restaurants in the North West with one opening in Blackburn town centre.

He said: “We have some exciting stuff coming in the future. We have a new head office opening soon in Blackburn.”