Café franchise chain Coffee Republic aims to open 100 more sites in the next year.

The bulk of the new outlets will be franchises and concessions. New locations will include the Midlands and the north of England, as well as Scotland.

The ambitious expansion plan comes despite operating losses of £1.63m for the year ending 25 March, 2007, compared to losses of £1.05m the previous year.

The chain currently has 71 sites mainly in London, south east England and the Thames Valley.

Peter Breach, chairman of the company, said: "We are on course for a doubling of the domestic portfolio."