Picture caption - Carmine Sacco at San Carlo Birmingham 

Italian restaurant group San Carlo is looking to go global with its award-winning Signor Sassi brand.

The family business, established in Birmingham in 1992, has already made its mark in the Middle East with the opening of two hugely popular venues in Kuwait City.

A third Signor Sassi restaurant is scheduled to open in Beirut in September and in November, the Group will make its first foray into Asia with the opening of a multi-million pound restaurant in the luxury Anantara Bangkok Sathorn Hotel.

Singapore, India and China have now also been identified as potential locations for the company to develop its rapid expansion plans, bringing a true taste of Italy to a world market.

Carlo Distefano, founder and proprietor said the plans were exciting but the Group remained selective about each new venture.

"We take our time to make sure we get it right," he said.

Key to the success of the forthcoming new opening is the appointment of Carmine Sacco, currently General Manager at San Carlo restaurant in Birmingham, as Franchise and Operations Manager.

Carmine joined the company 11 years ago after running his own hotel and restaurant in Italy and will be responsible for all aspects of each new franchise including recruitment.

He will work closely with Marcello Distefano, director in charge of the Group's international activities.