Imagine setting up a restaurant with five of your friends that is so successful that within six years you have got nine restaurants!!  Welcome back to 2023, where my first episode of the year is with Rodrigo Rashinthe, Operations Director and one of five founders of The Coconut Tree chain of Sri Lankan restaurants.    In 2016, Rodrigo and his friends began their restaurant journey, after buying a flat over a pub, in an out-of-town suburb of Cheltenham.   Six years on and they are  the proud owners of nine restaurants and have awards and accolades coming out of their ears.   Join us as we talk about the journey to nine restaurants, the pandemic and their beautiful, and oh so engaging marketing.   SIREN ALERT! Apologies now if you’re listening to this whilst driving,  or on your bike, we recorded this at the Clifton restaurant in the centre of Bristol city centre and there were several ambulances with sirens on flying past.   Website  Instagram  Tik Tok  Facebook  Twitter  Connect with Rodrigo Rashinthe on LinkedIn   Find out more about the Elves of the Visitor economy here. Instagram LinkedIn For more about me, Kelly Ballard, head to my website or connect with me on LinkedIn.