The London-based group was established 21 years ago and now has five UK sites as well as franchises overseas. In the year to March the outlets made a £600,000 operating profit on £5.8 million sales.

Managing director Douglas Smillie, who bought out the group from previous owners Capital Radio in 1999 with the VCTs’ support, will remain with the business.

Hartford’s chairman Stephen Thomas said ‘Henry J Beans has stood the test of time in a constantly changing marketplace and has significant expansion potential.’