Faster route to healthy diet

An American company is aiming to cash in on the growth in healthier eating and the BSE beef scare when it launches 100 fast-food outlets in Britain.

Calvin's Barbecue claims to be the more authentic taste of the United States and is investing about pounds 25m in the restaurants which will serve chicken, fish and pork as opposed to the more standard fare of beef. The first one will open opposite a McDonald's site in Birmingham next month to be followed by 18 more in the West Midlands.

The company, which is backed by a group of New York restaurateurs, believes there is a lack of competition in the Midlands and plans to open the remaining 80 outlets in the area over the next three years. It expects to create about 500 jobs.

Calvin Johnson, managing director, said: "There is a market niche for something in the same price range as McDonald's, providing fresh food which you can watch coming off a barbecue grill."